Planning for Dodd Narrows. The first time through Dodd was met with much anxiety.  Stories of wild pulsing currents pushing 10 knots, a massive amount of water through a channel barely wide enough for two small ships passing with a rock strewn shoreline ready to rasp the hull of the ship with insufficient power to stay on course and in the narrow main channel all the while being pulled and pushed by the maniacal water. We proceeded with extreme caution and ensured we were in line for slack tide well in advance of this brief respite during which time the narrows turns from a river to a calm meandering inlet of sorts. Since this initial experience, Ohana has made many passings through Dodd, including a midnight journey a couple of years ago. That was a father and son voyage in which such challenges were met or actually sought out with a certain desire to get personal with Mother Nature. A full moon peeked in and out of scattered high clouds as we waited for two large tugs to exit the south entrance to the narrows with their oversized log pull. Once they were clear, we proceeded into the dark narrow passage as the trailing tug turned its flood light up channel evidently to provide a clearer line of sight. Visibility was marginal at best, Austin was positioned at the bow keeping an eye for stray logs while I confirmed our course on screen with the navigation electronics. Soon we were making way past Nanaimo and out into the Strait of Georgia for our run up to Dent Island.
This morning,around 6:00am, I noticed a couple of rafted sails both upped anchor and headed smartly off to the north through the channel between Gray Peninsula and the isthmus of Parker Island. Given the tide changed to flood at 3:30am, it was a safe bet they were en route for the 9:45am slack at Dodd. Dodd is roughly 18 nautical miles from Montague and with tide assistance a sailboat under power can make that run in less than three hours. I wondered about their plans once through the narrows.  The NW wind is expected blow 25 knots this afternoon.  Perhaps they would drop anchors at Newcastle or tie up in Nanaimo. However, if heading north to Desolation, they could be up for a brisk sail to weather but may be better advised to wait one more day when the wind swings around and is expected to blow 10-15 knots from the South. With the south wind comes the increased chance of wet weather, but my plan is to haul up tomorrow roughly at 7:00am and follow my fellow mariners to the north. Dodd slack will be at 11:04am and could easily be run prior as the current is not so severe. Nevertheless, Dodd must be respected at all times! Northwesting through Dodd, I prefer to sweep in from the east side and follow the natural current. As a matter of course, it is advised to leave ample room between vessels as more than one ship is likely to be making this run. Announcing your entrance on VHF 16 is also a good idea. "Securite, securite, securite. All vessels be advised, 40 foot sail entering Dodd Narrows northbound". Then, if current, and preferably there will be some residual northbound current, run it like a river. Stay center channel and anticipate the changes in direction by pointing early.  For control, it helps to be going faster than the flow. Not everyone approached the run with the same strategy, so again, leave plenty of room. A final comment, if you miss the slack, relax and go do something else for six hours. You don't want to proceed against current through Dodd in a sailing vessel. Once I saw a 45 foot trawler try to power against the flow and was pushed around like a toy boat and nearly run aground. Only barely escaping a potentially ugly ending…giving all waiting vessels quite a show!