EP6 - Argonaut Turns North Into Canada: Desolation Sound and the Northern Straights to Alert Bay

In this video, Argonaut covers a lot of ground after cruising through the San Juan islands before clearing customs in Sydney, BC and heading North up British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, Desolation Sound, and the straights into Blackfish Sound and Queen Charlotte Straight.

In the first week of the trip, I cruise with the "Tally Ho" build crew and Sail Port Townsend's flagship boat, "Best Day Ever." We enjoy a picnic with the small community of Decatur Island, sail up to Sucia Island for some R&R, enjoying fresh caught fish, running trails, and a beach day. We hike to Turn Point light station from Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, and then watch the July 4th fireworks in Roche Harbor before heading to Wescot Bay for Oysters and Claims--not before stopping for donuts at Lime Kiln Cafe.

In the second week of the trip, we turn Northward into Canada, clearing customs in Sydney Harbor and overnighting in Canoe Cove. The following day, we visited the Cowichan Maritime Center before spending a night in a quiet bay. Next, we cross through Dodd Narrows into Nanaimo, and continue onwards to Lasqueti and Savory Islands in the Georgia Straight. We make a brief stopover in Desolation Sound to check out Cassel Falls up Teakerne Arm before heading into the straights, opting for the Northern route that passes through Yuculta Rapids, Gillard Pass, and Dent Rapids. That evening, we ended up Frederick Arm where we hiked over to Estero Basin for another fun day hanging in the lake. We also caught more crabs, and grilled steaks, ate crab cakes, and did a lot of swimming. We spent one night in Lagoon Cove at Lagoon Cove marina, and ended our journey to Blackfish Sound at Mimkwamlis (Village Island) where an abandoned village takes you back into the history of the Mamalilikulla First Nation.

This video is part of a series that I am working to record Argonaut's adventures up the remote coastline of British Columbia, tracing the routes and stopovers it once made as a hospital boat serving with the United Methodist Church from 1937 to 1966. This summer, I am working to document the people, places, and the experience of cruising the beautiful Pacific Northwest waters. These are part adventure/liveaboard/cruising videos, part history, and part repairs and work that goes into restoring and maintaining a 100 year old wooden boat.

Follow Argonaut's Adventures and Restoration:
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[justjoe]

You are making great videos, am glad TallyHo braught me here!

[drp]

Excellent content. I am enjoying your yacht, the cruising, the cuisine and your commentary. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures!

[edwardmacintosh]

Love your boat & your channel. I am new viewer & sub to your content but have followed Tally Ho for long time.i am pleased to meet you all in the vids . Thanks for the opportunity & your content. Look forward to wat h with interest .

[roobarb]

Two stunning boats sailing in company through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[klaaszandstra]

Most modern boats look like an iron / ironer (in dutch 'strijkbout'). Technically advanced, but plastic all around. The Argonaut is a real boat, looks like a boat and you live on a boat. It has a soul and you fall in love with this ship.

[JohnWColley]

My uncle was Captain of a B.C. Public Works vessel, the Walronda, with almost identical lines of Argonaut! She was powered by a pair of Gardner 5L3's. When I was around 13 or 14 she had telegraphs, and an Engineer in the E.R. I had some occasions to relieve him at that impressionable age! That's why I became an Engineer! Now retired 86, and still sailing a Challenger 32!
John Colley

[patrickgelinas]

What a great treat to watch your videos! Thank you for sharing! 50 years ago I worked on a charter salmon fishing boat MV Marabell which would crawl up from Victoria to Alaska in the summer months. The boat was an old wooden minesweeper I believe. There were about 5-6 guest cabins on board. Your videos bring back a lot of great memories of my summer. I was 17 years old at the time!😮

[jeffoneill]

I learned a lot from your explanation of navigating the rapids. Thanks for that!

[philterzian]

Glad you’re having such a fun adventure. We really enjoy your videos too. Phil & Jodi -Joyful.

[quarlow]

Sure miss my time on the fishboats in my youth and watching Leo's and your journey brings a flood of memories. Thank you.

[peterhelm]

Thanks for the tour through a scenic part of the World that most will never see. It was certainly convenient for the Tally Ho crew to have a floating kitchen and eating area accompanying them.

[dianelabelle]

What an amazing video, loved the music, scenery and the narration as well as all the nice boats. Many thanks...

[georgeattig]

Great companion to Leo’s channel (especially since it has been some time since he uploaded). Thanks!!

[Sailor_Greg]

AMAZING! Great story telling, excellent cinematography, the drones, the music, the views, the upbeat informative narration. This is premium youtube travelog content!!! I would watch this all day long!

[ronlokk]

A couple of really nice boats. All the best.

[boatingboy]

What a beautiful part of the world in a beautiful boat. Thanks for sharing. John

[jeromemorris]

Awesome adventure Nick!
Beautiful territory.
Thank you so much for doing what you’re doing.

[ErnestRuzicka]

Your trip looks like so much fun! Steak, crab cakes and hanging out with friends in beautiful scenery must be amazing. Thanks for the diagram too!. I would have never understood about the eddy currents, etc. without it.

[fastback]

Patty and the Crab 🤣🤣🤣


i wouldn't do any better.

[billhanna]

Thank you for sharing this particularly EPICALLY BEAUTIFUL video! I have subscribed ! The length, the scenery, the music top shelf all around.