No Water Tornados

My last post was a bit short. I complained about water spouts (think tornados on the water) that were in the forecast for the day we wanted to cross the Strait of Georgia. Actually, the complaint was focused on the forecast combination of water spouts together with calm winds. Those two things should be mutually exclusive.

At least that was my opinion.

Heading out to cross the Strait of Georgia.

The Captain should always have a plan, and mine for crossing large and often rough bodies of water is fairly simple.
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- Get to the crossing point,  the last safe harbor before    launching across the big water.
- Wait for a weather window.

Our go spot was Pender Harbor on BC’s mainland. We like John Henry’s Marina and would happily wait there for good weather. It turned out that good weather was upon us for the next day, except for that whole water tornado thing.

We decided to go anyway. 

Our path was nearly due south as we headed out the harbor. Towards the north, the sky was inky black from top to bottom. 

I told Sarah, “Glad we aren’t going that way” and happily steered towards Nanaimo and clearing skies.

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Vancouver Island in the distance. Notice the rain.

It took 6.5 hours and we got caught in some big downpours, but it was very calm and luckily water spout free.

​How does a seasoned captain deal with heavy rain?

A Mary Poppins umbrella of course.

If it works.....why not?

Essential sailing gear readily at hand.