The Patchwork Boat: Gulf Islands and Montague Harbor

Salt Marsh at Montague Harbor

We took off out of Nanaimo towards Dodd Narrows first thing to catch the morning slack before ebb that would boost us down the channels. We followed another trawler out of the harbor and went down in tandem. Dodd Narrows is only a few miles south of Nanaimo and passes along a shoreline that is mixed between a giant pulp mill to beautiful shoreline forest lined with log booms. There was definitely a busy and industrial feel in the area. We arrived at the narrows about an half hour early. The other trawler decided to power through, so we just followed after they alerted other traffic that we were coming through. We had no difficulties with the opposing 2 knot current and “whooshed” right through. It was a bit disconcerting seeing the white rocks under the water off our port side, but all was well. We were now in the Canadian Gulf Islands. The channels are wide with San Juan-feeling islands on both sides.

The water was calm, the sun was out and the trip South was very relaxing comparing with dodging ferries and wind/current waves out in the straits. It was a nice feeling. We were in Montague Harbor on Galiano Island by mid afternoon. We set down and anchor and relaxed in the summer sun. Once we got the tender off, we discovered a floating bakery on an old converted ferry and ordered some sticky buns for the next morning.