Ladysmith - Bamfield time frame

[michaelmrc]

am thinking about doing a trip this summer leaving from ladysmith and heading out to the broken group islands near bamfield. am curious as to a realistic time frame i should allocate ive calculated the mileage as approx 150nm
are there other issues i need to be aware of such as wind current etc...
thanks

[Coldwaterdiver]

I've never gone that far up the straight but when I make plans to sail the San Juan's I figure a speed of about 4 nots . I always us the Canadian current atlas for planning times and currents for all crossings in the Straights . Most times I make it a little early. Hope that helps at least a little

[hummingway]

You are going around the south end I guess? You will be going against the prevailing winds. Getting out of the strait I understand you can expect anything, it gets pretty choppy when the winds up.

[michaelmrc]

yes going around the south end. been outside of bamfield several times on a fishing boat but never sailed around from the other side. just wasnt sure on the time frame i should allow to complete this trip. thanks

[hummingway]

When they ran the Swiftsure this year the average time out to the bank and back was about 30 hours and they were in light air. They start at Victoria and the Swiftsure Bank is getting close to Bamfield. I'm sure the leg out was slower then the return since they were tacking in a headwind which would be expected on that run.

The record is held by a boat called Braveheart and they did it in 15 hours. In 58 the winner took 50 hours. Not much wind that year I guess.

No wind and motoring I'd put it at 30 hours from Ladysmith but with wind it could be a lot longer!

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by hummingway

No wind and motoring I'd put it at 30 hours from Ladysmith but with wind it could be a lot longer!

I have been around the island a dozen times. In May I went from Sidney to Ucluelet and back - 10 day trip.

We did Oak Bay to Joe's Bay in about 24 hours, mostly under power. On the way back did Bamfield to Poet's Cove in about 24 hours as well. Sailed from Cape Beale to Point-No-Point. (Had a quick stop in Oak Bay.)

If you have any questions, let me know.

Jack

[cwyckham]

It's all about the current, use your current atlas wisely. The straight is also going to be upwind, and will be rough seas when the tide is with you (wind against tide). Wind often shuts off at night. I've done the trip from Victoria to Cape Flattery twice, both in late May/ early June (starting to get into typical summer conditions). Both took 15-20 hours to get out of the straight. Once in a race boat on the Swiftsure (drifted most of the night), other time was motorsailing a Westsail 32.