The rain gods stayed at bay so we could have a spectacular Easter cruise.  Check out the photos and don't miss the next flotilla.  May loooong weekend coming up and next Easter is extra late in the season.




















thanks to Chris Stanley for the awesome photos

when we see a forecast like this in NOVEMBER, we'll take it!  ~ especially when it's our last flotilla entirely in 2014



~ we'll be heading off to GIBSONS & SNUG COVE this weekend, with a crew members brining a special dish for the famous POTLUCK on SATURDAY night ~

SUNDAY morning we dine where RELIC of the BEACHCOMBERS did at MOLLY'S REACH before heading to SNUG COVE ~ up over GAMBIER if conditions permit



~ act now ~ we'd love to have you aboard ~

WE organize great trips~YOU hop on and have fun

No experience required, but a sense of humor is essential!
As a CREW CLUB member, you get to take the helm, pull lines, tie knots and be part of the planning process, all under
the direction of a qualified skipper.
$39 per month, then pay as you go to various events
For a calender of events visit http://cooperboating.com/events/
There is even a FREE one month trial if you just want to try it out!

Coming up is our THANKSGIVING FLOTILLA cruising to THETIS ISLAND through PORLIER PASS - then up to GABRIOLA ISLAND
to stay at SILVA BAY before heading home.
This is all over the long weekend OCtober 10-13, boarding on Friday evening and returning Monday.

Become a temporary member and come along! We need a few more people on CORUS, our beautiful Bavaria 50.
Contact Danielle or Dawn at 604-683-6837


Hope to see you there :)

Today, roll call was at 0730 and we all left the dock at eight as planned, then we motored as a group out of the harbour and around the west end of Malcolm Island. Destination: Claydon Bay.

After yesterday's gale, today's conditions were remarkably calm. We occasionally encountered winds of five to ten knots crossing Queen Charlotte Strait and Intrepid sailed all afternoon but most boats headed straight to Claydon Bay and anchored in a well-protected corner.  A few of our group went to Sullivan Bay to enjoy the floating town and marina an extra day.  The flotilla is loosely organised, with boats proceeding according to their own wishes, but keeping in touch by radio and planning in face to face meetings whenever we are in ports. 

In spite  of few small mechanical issues here and there, all boats are able to keep up.  With this many people an boats travelling together, each is secure in the knowledge that we are being led by experienced explorers and supported by the considerable combined wisdom and experience of the other skippers and crews.

Tomorrow's destination is Sullivan Bay on North Broughton Island, a mere 4.2 nautical miles from our present anchorage.  We are now halfway through our time and as far north and east as we will go. These days, we are enjoying the Broughtons region, but from here, each stop will be a little closer to our home base at Powell River.

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

~ DAY three ~ notes from the crew on INTREPID  IV ~

Contrary to our expectations, last night was dead calm. We slept well, awakening early with the sun at 0430. Corus called on the radio at 0600 and all the boats checked in.  We left the anchorage at 0630 and motored up through the Lower Rapids.  Currents ran up to five knots against us and we were stalled down to a knot or so some places, but got through in short order.

From there, the group motored into fifteen knots of wind on the nose until we arrived at Port Neville.  A few tied up there, but the rest of us went on to Baresides Bay and anchored. Port Neville is not much, just a dock and a small historic store.  The whale watcher tours from Campbell River show up here sometimes.
Some in the group dinghied back to see the historic site.  Others enjoyed the day on deck and on the beach.  There was even a report of a cougar sighting.

Predictions are for strong winds again tonight. This time, maybe they will be right.  As sundown approaches, we find we're anchored out in the wind and waves on the exposed side of the channel. We let out two hundred and forty feet of chain for 7:1 scope and set an anchor alarm.  I see others letting out more chain, too.  I expect to sleep well after a day in the fresh air and rocked by the swells coming down the channel.

Tomorrow, Port McNeill.

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

 
~ follow the 2014 Cooper Dreamspeaker Broughtons Flotilla in real time on the FLOTILLA TRACKER ~

DAY two ~ notes from the crew on INTREPID IV ~
 
After a quiet night at anchor we cast off, one by one, around 1100 hours bound for Surge Narrows.  Our plan was to meet at the entrance to Beazley Passage and proceed through at slack, predicted to be after 1300, as a group.
 
Intrepid found good wind, and we sailed some of the way, but motored a fair bit to meet the schedule and because we encountered unpredictable gusts from all directions as we got into the narrower sections.
 
Most of us arrived early, so we drifted and had lunch while the stragglers caught up, then proceeded through as a group, one after another.  One sailboat went through an hour early and reported on the radio that they encountered four knots maximum current, but most of us stuck together and waited for slack. 
 
We all entered the sheltered bays of the Octopus Islands Marine Park, anchored near shore and stern-tied, well protected from the gale-force winds predicted for Johnstone Strait late tonight or tomorrow.  The depths along shore in spots were such that some were able to back right to shore and step off.  The afternoon was spent exploring this enchanting spot and visiting other boats.
 
At present, our plans for tomorrow are uncertain due to predicted gale-force winds ahead.  We have a net on channel 68 tomorrow at 0600 to decide, once the day's forecast is available and in time to make the Upper Rapids at slack if all is clear.
 

this summer we have seen orcas, humpbacks & pods of white sided dolphins in the region ~ the fall has different adventures in store
 
magnificent sailing & boating adventures await once you have that big boat experience & this is the official launch of the “OTHER” sailing season ….. the season that has clear blue skies & empty anchorages in all of our favorite cruising areas
 
remember that all the boats are well equipped with furnaces, you’re always warmer when you share a cabin & you get a chance to try out your new “foulies”
 
our SIMPLE PLEASURES FLOTILLA is a great event where every crew brings a pot luck food dish & we share our offerings on the biggest boat or rafted boats in the flotilla  ~ bring your best dish & an appetite!
 
we board FRIDAY EVENING & review weather & the fun ahead of us as a group at 6.30 pm at GRANVILLE ISLAND
 
weather permitting, we leave SATURDAY morning from VANCOUVER bound for the GIBSONS area
 
we’ll recover from the POTLUCK on SATURDAY night  by crashing the famous MOLLY’S REACH in GIBSONS for breakfast before navigating to SNUG COVE on BOWEN ISLAND
 
on MONDAY we shall observe REMEMBRANCE DAY & thank our fallen heroes with a special ceremony for mariners, then sail home, having enjoyed the SIMPLE PLEASURES of great people, a great pastime & some wonderful food - check out last year's event highlights 


 
DATES: boarding FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8 for 6.30 briefing – home on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11 by 5pm
 
CONTACT: 604-687-4110 to book a charter boat or to join a group of members through the CREW CLUB

THANKSGIVING FLOTILLA
So many of us look forward to this excellent event - a long weekend sharing boating, food and friendship!

This year our trip boards Friday October 11th in Vancouver with a couple of boats joining us from Sidney.
We’re heading thru Porlier Pass on the 12^th ….  Around noon and so our departure time should be 0800hrs.
 
Thetis Island Marina and Pub is our destination.  The PUB will be open with its regular menu.
The next day we’re heading for Silva Bay  - slack current thru Gabriola Pass during daylight hours is near noon on Sunday.
Recommendation is to go through the pass at noon and take in the wonderful Gabriola Art Studio Tour.
 

Silva Bay Marina has reservations for us and the Pub is serving Thanksgiving Dinner …. Reservations will be required.  

Call to get your favourite boat booked now!

http://artsgabriola.ca/events/annual-thanksgiving-studio-tour/

the WEATHER gods were kind to this year's EASTER FLOTILLA - check out our photo logbook with preliminary images of this year's event!



owners, bareboat charter clientele and club members enjoyed the fun and camaradarie of the northern GULF ISLANDS in this trip'

CHARTER - we've been busy hauling, painting & polishing the fleet to ensure you've got a great ride for the EASTER FLOTILLA for the group you like to cruise with - boats from VANCOUVER & SIDNEY will join the flotilla & boats from POWELL RIVER have also been seen in VANCOUVER getting ready for the season 

 

CREW CLUB - if you don't have a group to cruise with, our CREW CLUB is all about BOATING ADVENTURES MADE SIMPLE - easter flotilla per member rate of only 

 

not a member? - try out the club with our current  bonus offer

 

COURSE - our mileage builder courses are great ways to cruise with professional coaching & we have one lined up to sail with the flotilla

 

contact MARLA today (604.683.6837 ext 19) & join us this FLOTILLA  FRIDAY for a fun filled session to get you ready for the season  

 

MARCH 15 FLOTILLA FRIDAY *PARTY*

 

MARCH 22 FLOTILLA FRIDAY *PLANNING & PREPARATION*