Thursday:  Today is beginning sunny and warm.  We leave at 0800 to time Race Pass so we go through at slack or a slight flood.  Currents can run up to six knots and the wind promises to be from the northwest.  This combination can result in lumpy seas during the ebb.  Moreover, at ebb we would hardly make any headway and also have little or no control.

We arrived at Blind Channel Marina, a lovely spot with good facilities and tied up for the night.  A group had happy hour on the upper deck of Raven Magic, while others hiked up to see the old-growth cedar,  then some went for supper in the restaurant while others cooked on board.

We are expecting wind and weather tonight and the waves and wind are building already.  The marina is open in the direction of the wind and waves and the halyards are already slapping, so we may be in for a rocking time tonight.

Friday: The night turned out to be quiet. 

Today we are off to Big Bay Public Dock and the departure is to be mid-afternoon to ride the tide down Cordero Channel and arrive at the Gillard Rapids at slack.

The day proved to be rainy and grey, but people wandered around and entertained themselves until departure.  The flotilla pulled out on schedule and motored down through the currents in Cordero Channel, arriving right at slack. 

At slack, we all went through Gillard Passage without incident and tied up at Big Bay community dock.  We then had a final barbecue and called it a day.

The slack in Yaculta Rapids tomorrow is at 0520 and we want to be there right on time as that opportunity is very short before the the whirlpools start up again as the current increases to as much as ten knots at flood. 

The next slack tomorrow is noon, and most of our boats chose that departure, but that late departure puts arrival at Powell River into evening hours.

Saturday: Three boats traversed the Yaculta Rapids without incident and motored towards Powell River, encountering twenty-five knot winds and chop on the nose after leaving Calm Channel.  Two persevered to Powell River and one decided to sit out the blow in Lund, along the way.

Intrepid is back at the dock in Powell River now and the other boats will be arriving as the day wears on.  We have one last get-together tonight and that is it for the 2014 Cooper Dreamspeaker Broughtons Flotilla. 

This was a record turnout with ten boats and thirty people participating.

Follow us in real time on the Spotwalla or Spot website.

beginning THURSDAY APRIL 18, join our COOPER BOATING CREW aboard ELECTRA, our 42 Nordic Tug on ‘F’ dock


a few of our lovely boats are featured at this event & we’d love to show you Electra as well as one of our 'COOPER BUILT' WESTCOAST 46 motor yachts & the best new sailboat on the BC Coast – ALEGRIA – an award winning Dufour 45E:


not to be out done -  IOLNAR NA MARA (eagle of the sea) will be there as well - heading to our SIDNEY base following the show - check out the most state of the art sailboat we've ever offered (bow & stern thrusters, electric 'rewind' winches):


COME BY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUPER BOAT SHOW SPECIALS - charters, course & club offerings - remember, life's just better on a boat

VICTORIA BOAT SHOW

date: APRIL 18 - 21 VICTORIA's BEAUTIFUL INNER HARBOUR

Today in front of Canada Place the rescue helicopters were giving a show and while thousands of people crowded the shore of the new convention centre and shoreline, the view from the water was spectacular.  Boat charters allow a vantage point that others just don't get!    


We can help you book charters in Vancouver and enjoy this fascinating harbour and points well beyond.  British Columbia is the best place on earth and you can start exploring BC by boat by contacting Cooper! 

As the calendars start to fill up, it becomes progressively more challenging to fit the long reservations in.   We already have a bunch of 2 week bookings for 2011, along with a few 3 and 4 week reservations on key boats.   It is so fantastic to get out for a long time as our coast has so many places to see and one can truly unwind on a long adventure on the water.   Cooper is uniquely positioned to handle these longer bookings as clients can effectively start at one base and make a 'pitstop' at another base along the way.
Remember, the moment you have the reservation, you can start planning and really looking forward to your adventure on the water.  We've collectively got the most experience helping people plan spectacular trips on this coast.

To help checking boats by date available, please take a look at our secure online booking system.  Our system is compliant with the new credit card rules and open 24/7 so you can plan from the comfort of your own home.