David Mackie

It seems the summer boaters are out in force. As we approached Dodd Narrows at slack a small runabout was sitting right in the middle of the entrance with 3 guys fishing. We were forced to go around them close to the eastern rocky shore as they refused to move.

Very smooth sailing and waters all day. Docked at Nanaimo Port Authority. On entering the marina a large yacht which was stationary off our port bow suddenly started moving and cut in front of us forcing us to turn to starboard to avoid collision. They were clearly the give way vessel. Very surprising considering it was a large yacht with crew and presumably a professional captain. After cutting us off they stopped in the entranceway and used their thrusters to remain stationary while the crew started getting all their lines ready. We had to circle for some time waiting for them to move out of the way. I was very hesitant to get close to the vessel given their unpredictable behaviour.

The first part from Quadra Island was easy and calm seas until to about 1 1/2 hours out from traversing the Comox Bar when the wind and waves picked up. Active steering to avoid burying the bow in a wave trough was needed until we crossed the Comox Bar. We saw a pod of orcas feeding on the way into Comox to refuel. The wind was pretty strong at the fuel dock and we allowed it to blow us on the dock. Getting off was another story. I backed off and had to do several power turns in 2 arms of the marina to get where I could back out of the whole marina as I could not get the bow to turn into the wind.