Blunden Harbour to Muirhead Islands

After a calm night, morning broke glassy and silver, the sea looking more like molten metal than water. Perfect conditions for running south.

MarineTraffic showed a phalanx of boats stacked up behind us, all making their Cape Caution dash in today’s rare calm. We, however, pressed toward the Broughtons, seeing almost no traffic until Wells Passage. With a wet, windy forecast ahead, everyone seemed to be seeking a snug anchorage. For us, that meant the Muirhead Islands at the end of Drury Inlet—a longtime favorite.

Through Stuart Narrows

Drury Inlet is guarded by Stuart Narrows, best tackled at slack. We arrived 45 minutes before low slack, referencing the Stuart Narrows tide station, and pushed against two knots of current. Swirls marked the final pinch between the two rocks, but nothing OceanFlyer couldn’t handle. For boats or crews less certain, slack water is the way to go.

One-Boat Hole (or Two)

Our prize was the little “One Boat Hole” on the northeast side of the islets. It’s a coveted spot, and you never know if someone’s already claimed it. AIS showed nothing, but three kayakers nearby gave us pause. You have to nose right in before you can tell if a boat is tucked into the southeast corner.

This time, fortune smiled—the cove was empty. We dropped anchor in 25 feet at a 2.5-foot low tide, perfectly centered in the “hole.” Moments later, our friends on Spellbound arrived and rafted alongside, turning the One Boat Hole into a Two Boat Hole. We hadn’t seen them since our April shakedown, and the reunion was a welcome one.

Waiting Out the Weather

Now settled in, we’ll see if the forecasted southeasterly gale can reach this deep into Drury. For the moment, OceanFlyer and Spellbound are snug and steady, ready to share stories and ride out whatever comes.