We got underway at 7:30 AM this morning. It was cool and the wind was blowing from the Northwest at 15 miles per hour. Once we departed the marina and exited the harbor, we were bashing into two foot wind waves that often slowed us to 3 knots of forward speed. Fortunately, the wind gradually abated and the sun appeared. By noon, the wind was blowing 10 knots or less, the sun was shining, and we were making 6 knots of speed on our way north.
As we approached the town of Campbell River, we encountered the place where the currents flowing around Vancouver Island conflict. South of Campbell River, the rising tide creates north flowing tidal currents. North of Campbell River, the rising tide creates south flowing tidal currents. Where these two currents collide, the water is very confused. There are large eddies of swirling water. The boat can suddenly change direction, can slow abruptly, or accelerate quickly. We spent about an hour sailing through these conflicting currents.
At about 5:30 we arrived at Kanish Bay, our anchorage for the night. Mary created this watercolor of the boat next to us in the anchorage.
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