Johnstone Strait in January?

[Exocet]

Thinking about heading North from Comox to Telegraph Cove in early January. Time is of no concern, the longer I'm out, the better. Boat is Bene 30'.
Looking for any thoughts on general wind direction in the strait during the winter, as well as suggested routes, anchorages. Does the fog roll in on the winter mornings (would cuase me to abondon running rapids till next slack)?

Thanks.... Love winter sailing, cool in soo many ways.

[Solitude]

Cold time of the year to be out there. Chppy, riptides and everchanging conditions, traffic as well

[bytownboy]

I also love winter sailing. The route I would take would be to sail around the west side of Cortes Is. - Von Donop Inlet at the top of Cortes is my favourite anchorage. I would then head up Calm Channel, between Sonora and Stuart Islands (pay close attention to your tide book, the Dent and Yucalta rapids can be scary!). Head up to Phillips Arm, anchoring at the mouth of the Phillips River. A dinghy trip up the Phillips River is a treat, unfortuanately you're a couple of months too late to get pictures of the grizzlies. Next is Cordero and Chancellor Channels which will take you to Johnstone Strait, bypassing Discovery Passage (a good thing in my mind). It is then a straight shot to Telegraph Cove, a trip I haven't made (yet).

Weather - who knows. Good chance it will be like right now, lots of sunshine, not much wind, but cold.

Enjoy and good sailing.

[jackdale]

I have been through Johnstone Strait 10 times; 8 time while going around the island, twice last July on a trip Comox - Port Hardy - Comox.

As I try to miss Chatham Point, I usually avoid Seymour Narrows in favour of the Yucultas. Surge Narrow / Upper Rapids will take you past Chatham Point, but the stop at Octopus Islands is very nice.

Read either Dreamspeaker or Sailing Direction for the instructions to get through the Yucultas, it is not that bad, but can only be done once a day. Plan ahead.

Blind Channel is a good place to check conditions in Johnstone before venturing further, the marina has free wifi.

From there follow Cordero Channel (if conditions are good) or go through Sunderland Channel via Whirlpool Rapids back into Johnstone.

I take Havannah Channel / Chatham Channel to Lagoon Cove (funky marina) or Poots Lagoon (well protected) or Cutter Cove (open to the west). Avoid Port Harvey - way too much logging activity.

Then Baronette Passage into Johnstone Strait again for a short hop to Telegraph Cove. Why stop there?

Check Sailing Directions for the average weather conditions(or I could post it).

The winds seem to favour you on the way up. The way back wil be a beat.

Jack

[Stillraining]

BRrrrrrrrrr!..