TWL: Johnstone Straight

[Kim Boyce and Eric Thoman]

Kim and I had 2 1/2 wonderful weeks this month cruising North from Seattle to
Alert Bay and turning East and Gunkholing in the islands around Queen
Charlotte Straight and Knight Inlet.  This was our first trip up Johnstone
Straight.  No problem, but like all of the books say it is not to be trifled
with when the wind is against the current.  We had some very strong current
days due to extreme tides.  For the most part, we were able to take advantage
of the currents by planning very carefully using the "wonders of Nobeltec."

However, our observation was that Johnstone Straight is far more complex in
its currents than it appears (by chart)or that Nobeltec will have you believe.
We encountered several strong eddies when we least expected in.  Kelsey Bay,
for example, is one weird current area.  Our speed would change 3 or more
knots (a full 6 knot swing) in seconds.  It seemed like some boaters knew to
hug the shore in certain areas but not in others.

Given that Johnstone Straight is primarily a long highway for going further
North (and our intentions to do it at least annually) I would like to learn
more about it from someone with Genuine Local Knowledge (GLK).

If you have GLK of Johnstone Straight we would greatly appreciate hearing from
you.

Thank you in advance.

Eric Thoman
www.seanet.com/~kimeric

Kim should have some new pictures of our trip on her website in a few days.