The Ahclakerho channel is very narrow and tides are a big consideration - so we need to get our timing right. We target the 13.6' high at 2:30pm. We leave early with the anchor up at 8:30 to give ourselves 2 hours of contingency.
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| One of the many islets outside Goose Bay |
With things going to plan we elect to go for a lunch hook in Fly Basin - the check the anchorage out and kill 2 hours. Fly Basin is a great all-weather anchorage (and one we come back to later).
For narrow Ahclakerho Channel the Hamiltons state high slack is 'near high water at Bella Bella. We approach the 1st narrows 4 minutes after high slack at Bella Bella (2:30 pm) and find 0.4 knots flood current - so pretty good and no issues at all. Winding through the channel was straightforward with attention and we had lots of water under the keel the whole way through.We anchor in the described 'best anchorage' which is very pretty. We had a tough time getting a good set when anchoring due to a rocky bottom. Hamiltons describe good holding, so perhaps we needed to be closer to the southern shore. The anchor is in 50'+ of water with the stern in only 15'. We run long stern lines to keep us from swinging into the shore, but need them to the E shore versus the S shore described. We found it a somewhat tough anchorage, and if I had to do it again I would creep far closer to the south shore.
A pleasant kayak around the island and looking at the large number of seals rounded out the afternoon. Hamiltons say it reminds them 'of Prideaux Haven, but without the crowds'. We concur. A nice spot with no evidence of mankind at all - and not a single other boat anywhere.
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| Anchored in the Ahclakerho Islands |
The weather forecast has the winds increasing 15-25 overnight and a gale tomorrow. The wind is coming over the island and our stern tie is taking much of the load. We check lines and head in for the night.
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