SVBeTrue Welcome to SV Be True 2 and our adventures on the water

Time to head in for some admin

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

09 Jul - On waking this morning we realised it was time to head back to civilization when we spotted we were down to our last clean underwear! Leaving the Pinkertons we had a steady motor against building winds into Uculet (the wind being right on the nose the whole way building from 10 - 20 knots before we turned into the channel. For some wierd reason we both felt on edge today but neither of us could put a finger on why - was it the continually leaking prop seal? Were we frustrated by not being able to get the boat to perfectly sail how we wanted? were we just in need of being on land? No matter, we got into Uke and anchored up just past the marina's for the night. We took the Dinghy in to sus the place out and make sure there would be room for us in the morning and then had a quiet evening trying to work out what was bothering us

10 Jul - Lots of Admin - After a quiet night on the hook we phoned Kevin, the harbour manager at the small boat harbour and confirmed he had room for us to drop in on the dock and so were there by 10. We jumped into admin mode and had quickly got some washing on and then heaaded up to restock our food supplies at the Co-op. Once these jobs were done we had the afternoon to explore the town. We dropped into Pioneer Boatworks and chatted with Brent (are all boat repair people called Brent?) about our Prop seal problem. He confirmed that we didn't have something that is catastrophic but that he couldn't haul us out to fix it so we discussed options. We decided to source a new seal to have with us for when we could get it replaced (probably in Mexico) as well. Once back at the boat we hung around and pottered a bit and it was then that we noticed that one of the engine mounting bolts had actually worked loose. We retightened that and hopefully that will fix our problem! We also changed the last of the fuel filters and so now have replaced all the oils, oil and fuel filters for the engine so she should be feeling well looked after

11 Jul - Back on the hook It felt weird waking up for once on the dock this morning. Once up we went for a walk down to Spring cove at the end of the island and confirmed that there is no public landing spot if were to anchor there (all private land). Having to be out by lunchtime we then headed back to the boat and took her out to anchor just round the corner from the small boat harbour. Having had the advantage of internet we had looked in detail at the weather and determined that there was no way we were going to be heading south for probably at least a week. This was confirmed when we spoke to a couple of fishermen while on the dock who had come in for the week because they too had seen the bad weather coming. It was also reassuring to hear from them that this was not unusual and that these strong winds do break down - apparently if we had been here this time last year it would have been lovely sailing weather!

12 July - A walk on the wild (East) side of Uclulet. The morning was calm and so we both did some housework. Heidi gets to do the inside whlist my job is to keep the outside looking clean so included removing the seaweed fringe we had been developing around the waterline.

Clean and sparkling boat

We stopped around 11 and then, seeing as it was a lovely day we decided to do the tourist thing around Uclulet and set off to walk along the coastal path on the east side of the peninsula. The day was glorious and we had amazing views over the dramatic coastline to savour all day.

On getting back into town we picked up a couple of things in the supermarket and then headed back to the boat.

13 July - Uclulet Sunday MArket

Today we were expecting the wind to pick up and it didn't disappoint!. In the morning, when things were not quite as windy we went through our (significant) stash of rope trying to pair down our spares. Much against my will we ended up putting about 400ft of (fairly) decent rope on the second hand table. It went in minutes! This does still leave us with another 400ft of varying widths of rope though so we aren’t exactly going short. It was good to clear out the rear lockers as well and get them properly sorted. WE also fixed the running back stays in place for good measure. Later on, we went into Uke to see their Sunday arts and craft market which was most pleasant, even though nothing caught our eye. After this we headed back to the boat and the wind steadily built until it stabilised around 16 knots with occasional gusts up to 25. We also worked out a plan for the next week. Looking at the weather, and knowing we weren't planning on heading off until at least the following week, we are aiming to head to Tofino to do touristy things tomorrow, then heading back out to Berkely sound for the rest of the week. The wind is due to pickup again next weekend so we intend to head back into Uke on the 18th. We should then be in good shape to look out for the next weather window to head south.

Living in a Yoga Poster... And Breathe

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We knew it wasn't going to be a special day today but this?? WE woke to the gentle pattering of rain on the boat, and it just kept raining, and raining, and raining! We had actually expected this and we couldn't think of a better place to be holed up. Looking out at the islets around us and the drifting wisps of fog it was very picturesque. If you wanted to find somewhere to have a 'down' day, you couldn't get much more relaxing than this.

Caption competition winner - "Serenity"

We both read and mooched around for the day. When we were bored we went back to our to do list and managed to knock off a couple more outstanding items (check the steering chain - all good and prepare our emergency grab bag) but the day past very calmly. As a treat, Heidi made a victoria sponge cake for afternoone team!

Afternoon tea anyone - Oakley, your tea pot cozy is getting some heavy use!

In the evening we had a go at playing the Catan card game we had bought - too complex for this evening though so we fell back on a couple of rounds of skip bo before TV and bed

Moving back to the Pinkertons

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

During the evening and into the night Effingham bay had been a bit roll-ey. With a forecast for winds again in the bay today we decided to up anchor and head further back into the sound. In glorious sunny weather we pulled out of Effingham and headed further back. Once clear of the many rocks and into Loudon Channel we again put up sail in 6 - 10 knots and tired to get the boat sailing 'balanced' (i.e. with no need for steering with the rudder) just on the sails. Try as we might we always ended up with some weather helm! Somewhat frustrated, and with rising winds we pulled back into the pinkertons, a favourite spot from the last couple of times we had been up here.

Once settled, and after showers all round we settled down for the afternoon. The wind died down, the sun shone and the hummingbirds came to visit. After putting back up our hummingbird feeder we settled in to watch "Hummingbird fight club". With up to 8 Hummingbirds competing for the nectar, things got pretty rough!.

To the victor, the spoils - we have video of the fight club - remind us to show it to you when we see you!

Around 4 we got in the Dinghy and motored around enjoying the weather and the amazing scenery we'd hoped to see another bear but had no luck until we got back to the boat, when we noticed a bear chowing down on the oyster beds less than 500ft from the boat. We spent an entertaining hour watching it as it worked itself around our bay looking for choice clams and oysters for diner.

Oysters for tea?

Who's out there?

As we settled down for the evening the Pinkertons didn't dissapoint with a wonderful sunset

Quiet day in Effingham Bay

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Overnight the wind died right down and we had a wonderful restful sleep with no need to wake up in the morning. We had a great lazy day on the boat just catching up with ourselves and reading. In the afternoon fog rolled into the bay, it chilled off a little and we got itchy feet so we walked across the island to Meares Bay, on the east side, where there was originally a large first nations settlement. As we emerged from the dense forest we were greeted with astounding vistas over Imperial Eagle channel with wonderful azure blue water. We were definitely back in paradise!

Heidi Bushwacking through old growth forest

We can see the sea!

Who needs to go to the tropics for sand, sun and azure sea

Exploring the Rock pools in Meares Bay

In the evening we had a wonderful meal and sat down to watch "The Accountant 2". Not much impressed with the movie but the surrounding movie theatre and sunset were stunning

Finally reaching Berkely Sound

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

After a restful night on the dock at Port Renfrew we were up at 05:30 for an early start to Berkley sound. The day wasn't too bad and we left around 06:00 along with a host of sport fishing boats heading in the same direction. Once clear of Port Renfrew inlet we set our course up the coast and sat back for another long motor. Thankfully we managed to get our ahead of the fog that followed us up all day. "Charlotte", the boat that we had come up the coast with the day before left about an hour later and didn't look so lucky - we never saw them, just the fog bank.

After about 5 hours we finally passed Pachena point which let us start heading into the sound a little. Once past Cape Beale we could actually turn in and sail (the wind had been on our nose - around 10- 15 knots all the way up) and we had a lovely couple of hours in fairly light winds crossing the grandly named Imperial eagle channel. As we reached Effingham Island the wind suddenly picked up from 10 to 18- 20 knots. Some smart taking in of sail soon meant we were back motoring for the last forty minutes in building wind as we threaded our way into Effingham bay. As we headed in there was only one more boat in the bay and they were just moving to seek shelter behind a small island from the wind. We knew the bay well enough though and anchored in what we knew to be a solid spot. Even with the wind blowing up to 18 knots our anchor was well set and we settled in having completed our first major challenge - getting up to Berkely sound. Now for a few days of relaxing!

Settling in in Effingham Bay

The long slog up to Port Renfrew

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

04 July - Having done this trip once before, we knew that the next stage of our journey, heading for Uclulet and Berkley sound, was not going to be the most enticing. The Juan do Fuca straight has a bad reputation with strong winds daily being funnelled from the east, the direction we had to go. After watching the weather though we figured we had a fairly good shot up the straight to Port Renfrew before it got too bad. After an early start, leaving the anchorage in Becher Bay at 06:00 we progressed well past Sooke but soon after, we entered thick fog which stayed with us the rest of the way up to Port Renfrew even when the stronger winds arrived! With the wind on our nose, blowing at times up to 20 knots, there was nothing for it but to plug away on the engine for 9 hours in the fog. We did have company though, two other sailboats that were on the same journey and for once, it was pleasant not being the slowest!

Pulling into Port Renfrew Inlet - fog drifting through the hills

As we got up to Port Renfrew we had hoped to anchor in a small bight on the north coast of the inlet. On investigating it though, it gave us no shelter from the 15 - 20 knots winds and so we went back to investigate further in the inlet. As on our last trip though, the wind blasted full strngth all the way to the back and so we ended up pulling into PAcific Gateway Marina (a very small fishing marina that could just squeeze us in for the night. Having docked, it was pleasant to be able to walk on land though and we visited the local general store for (very expensive) basic foodstuffs before heading back to the boat.

"Around the corner" - Blasting through Race Rocks

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Early start in Esquimault - this is what 5 am looks like

03 July - Having checked the weather and the tides, we had to be up early to get around Race Rocks at slack (at 07:00) so we woke up around 04:30 and were underway by 05:00. Once out of the harbour we were greeted by 15 - 25 knots wind and a short, choppy sea. We had the reefed main up and did try a bit of sailing with just the stay sail but as we were very close hauled we couldn't make much progress and so went back to motoring.

We hit Race Rocks exactly on slack but with the wind still blowing around 25 knots right on the nose we decided that the prudent thing to do was to pull into Beecher Bay, a favourite haunt of ours just past Race Rocks, and call it a day. This meant that we were anchored again, in a well sheltered bay by 09:00. The rest of the day was spent recuperating from the early start and addressing a couple of minor issues that had reared their head with the pounding that we had received the last couple of days. (The dinghy needed lashing better and our prop seal needed to be pumped full of grease as it had started to leak)

The Party's over, it's time to go!

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

02 July - The day finally arrived when we were to leave for our big adventure! Checking the weather though it was clear we weren't going to get far. It was blowing 25 - 30 knots around race rocks! With this in mind we set our goals accordingly short for today but we were determined to turn right not left out of the harbour. With the strong winds, the only place we could go was Esquimalt and so that was our target! (just a few miles west). Even this wasn't going to be an easy task though as the wind was still strong.

Pushing off the dock in Victoria

With much trepidation therefore we slipped our lines in Victoria for the last time around 10am being wished well by our friends, Shannon and Doran. Even in the harbour the wind was reaching 20 knots but we were 'waved off by the 'Queen Elizabeth' that was in harbour- a fitting connection to our eventual (hopeflly) destination as it's home port is Southampton.

As we headed out we started taking water over the bows - undaunted however ("We've been in worse!") we chugged around the corner to Esquimault. As it's a naval base we had to clear in via the kings harbour master - we called him up on the VHF and then had to call him on our remaining cell phone to provide details of the boat. Once cleared in we headed to the back of the extensive harbour and anchored close to Cole Harbour, a national historic site and old armoury and stores location for the navy. Once anchored however, we downed tools and had a long and well deserved rest

Passing by Fisguard Lighthouse at the entrance to Esquimault Harbour

Quick trip to Vancouver for final prep

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

25 July - Now we are completely separated from land, we needed to get some final tweaks done for the boat in Vancouver and so we had to set off for a 'flying' visit there. Leaving around 10am on a very grey overcast day we had the Genoa up as soon as we had cleared Gordon Point and were pushed (by both wind and tide for the next 6 hours up to Montague Harbour. With a fresh 15 - 23 knot wind we kept a steady pace and, other than playing dodgems with a cargo ship and the ferries had a pleasant, uneventful trip. By the time we arrived in Montague the sun had broken through the clouds and we had a very pleasant evening watching the sun set.

26 July - With slack water at Porlier pass not until 11:30 we could afford to have a lazy start today. We had a sausage sandwich for breakfast and then pulled up the anchor about 09:30. We started making steady progress up to the pass and then realised we needed to go a bit faster to hit slack so gunned the engine arriving at the pass exactly on time.

Once through, we put up the all sail and had a go with the windvane. We set it all up but it seemed like all it wanted to do was send us round in circles. After re-reading the instructions we realised that we had the vane on back to front! A quick adjustment later and we were heading at full speed in the right direction, steered only by the windvane. the next 2 hours was a wild ride on a close reach at over 7 knots up the straights of Georgia in 13 - 16 knots of wind. As we neared Vancouver the wind settled to around 12 knots slowing us to around 6 knots and we played with the sails a bit to try and get more balance for the windvance. We then started heading into the city!

The bit moment this trip was going under lions bridge to get into the main port of Vancouver. We motored through at a rip snorting pace as we had forgotten to check the current - luckily we were going through with the current but with about 4 knots pushing us along we shot under the bridge and were spat out into the main basin

it was then a fairly easy, if busy 30 minutes to dock at Burrard Yacht Club in North Vancouver alongside alot of very serious power boats. Once docked and checked in we went for a walk int the rain to the shipyards and had a well earned drink before heading back to the boat for diner and a movie.

27 June - We spent the day at Burrard Yacht club today - an amazing location so close to the centre of north Vancouver and a stones throw from the seabus to Downtown Vancouver if we wanted. We started the overcast morning with a visit from Will Curry, the owner of Hydrovane, who was kind enough to come down and check over our hydrovane install. He pointed out how to adjust the various components and, after a few minor tweaks, gave our installation a clean bill of health. He was also a great source of information on how to set the sails for using the Hydrovane and confirmed that our challenges with it the day before had been down to having too much sail up front. Keeping a couple of wraps on the genoa may prove to be a very common sail plan for us. Later in the morning the team from DSS protection arrived to drop off our life raft which we then installed on the back deck. Both of us were feeling pretty phazed today, and so we decided to take some time out from the boat and explore north vancouve. We wondered around the shipyards and visited the North Vancouver Museum; although only small it was a mighty amount of interesting information and well worth the visit. After this we wondered back to the boat for a nap and tea and sweet empenadas that we had picked up in the shipyards market. Dinner was bangers and chips whilst watching a good movie and then an early night

28 June - Motored across Strait of Georgia and once through Porlier Pass (dodging many other boats and barges) went down to Maple bay (coasting along for a while on jus tthe Genoa). Met up with Dave, Trina, Brent and Barb for diner and drinks

Canada is not defenseless!

29 June - Motored (and a bit of sailiing) down to Cadboro bay in record time - pushed by current all the way. Did washing and changed oil prior to meeting with Richard and Mary from Texas at RVYC who also own a Beneteau 40CC.

30 June - Motored round to inner harbour - got an amazing slip right on the end of the centrla finger so we will have a great view of the fireworks.

Leaving RVYC for the last (?) time

The best slip in the inner harbour

01 July - great day for our open boat. Had people round from 1pm until the fireworks at 11pm. Wonderful to have so many people to see us off. Also had the most amazing view of the fireworks

Preparations for the open boat underway!

No excuses now - time to go!

Final preparations 1

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are now in the final run to leaving on the 2nd July.

22 July - After the hectic last couple of weeks today was about catching up with ourselves and working out what needed to be done next. We also made our first attempt at hemming our new awning for the boat (made from our old genoa). This has been roughly cut to size and we tried it no the boat to make sure that we weren't too far off and then tried to get the Sailrite sewing machine working. Unfortunately it didn't want to play ball today so didn't make much progress. We left the dock around 4 after filling up wiht water and went back tot he mooring bouy. As we bobbe around we had forgotten about how rolly it can be off the dock and both ended up taking sea sickness meds just to help us adjust!

23 July - Admin day in Victoria. We drove into town and sorted out the safety deposit box along with a bunch of other admin tasks (forwarding mail) getting some cash etc. Enjoying our last day with a car for convenience for a very long time!

24 July - Sold the car! - We headed off early to catch the 9am ferry to Vancouver, tried unsuccesfully to find a couple of shops in town and then, at about 1pm, handed the car over to Canada Drives. We got an Uber back to the ferry terminal then recrossed the strait as foot passengers on the ferry. Then it was bus rides back tot he boat getting home around 7pm. We have now divested ourselves of all the trappings of 'normality' (jobs, appartmnet, car) and there is just us, the boat and our dinghy. We both were a little bit freaked at the thought but then this is all what has been planned - it's wierd when plans just fit together as expected. MAybe as a project manager I shouldn't be surprised but I told Heidi that this was the first project I had ever run that had actually come in earlier than planned (original target to leave was end of August) and under budget!