July 2024, Desolation Sound, British Columbia, Canada Adventures
July 2024, Desolation Sound
Our journey began back in September 2023 when we set our sights on Desolation Sound for our July 2024 sailing adventure. We were thrilled to discover Desolation Sound Yacht Charter (1) , Comox, and Nanaimo Yacht Charter (2). Both companies are reputable in the area, so we contacted them months in advance to book our boats. Our beacon and navigator, Cheryl Morvillo, set forth the float plan, choosing prime locations and setting a route we could easily navigate within our allotted time frame.
Armed with the drop points, my task becomes research. I take this seriously and enjoy it, spending countless hours triangulating information from various reference points such as the Waggoner Cruising Guide(3), maps, charts, and good old Google. Tables and documentation become my most fabulous friends in the month leading up to the trip. The result is the “GUIDE BOOK,” containing pages that describe what to expect at each stop, where we can provision places to eat, shop, local attractions, and, crucially to sailing, where to find fuel, water, showers, and laundry.
About a month before our departure, the skippers gather to review the plan and discuss alternative actions in case of unforeseen circumstances like bad weather and detours. Safety is our top priority, as our crews are our most precious cargo. Following the skipper meeting, all crews come together for a pre-sail party. For this trip, we are four boats and 20 people. Our lead skipper gives a comprehensive briefing to the crew, reviewing the sailing route and what to expect. I share the key points from the guidebook, offering packing tips, currency [this trip is in Canada], and new gadgets to make things easier. This is an exciting time to ask questions, set expectations, and build camaraderie with those who will share the journey.
We are bareboaters, meaning we charter a boat and skipper it with our crew of friends and partners. You could say we are “Just add water sailors.” Such a sailing trip is nothing like hopping on a cruise ship and saying, “OH, TAKE ME THERE!” This is our vacation to spend time with the family we choose. While there’s plenty of fun, there are many serious elements to consider, as sailing is a skilled adventure, especially in unknown waters.
Our skippers have over 175 years of combined sailing experience in the US and internationally. The crews also collectively bring many years of sailing skills, and occasionally, we have a greenhorn on board, making the excitement much more fun.
The scene is set, and our adventure awaits. Please sit back, enjoy the stories of Take Another Route, and follow DROP ANCHOR to read more about each port of call and our experience in Desolation Sound.
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1 –www.desolationsoundyachtcharters.com
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Nice start to a great story!
I enjoyed your take and a good explanation of the elements that make a successful sailing adventure