A lot of people think I’m nuts when I tell them I took my two children out on an 18 foot
power boat last summer for a total of seven weeks, but let me explain to you why I did it.
Growing up on the island I spent many idyllic summer days on boats with my parents.
Ten years ago I finally bought my own 15 foot power boat. It was ancient - even older
than ME but it floated and that was my only requirement so I was thrilled.
Being a single mom (hence the only adult on board) and having a healthy respect (read
fear) for the ocean’s strength, I stayed fairly close to shore and was happy to do so.
Two years ago I read the coastal classic The Curve of Time by M. Wylie Blanchet.
During the 1930’s and 40’s, Ms. Blanchet, a widow, took her 5 children out on their 25
foot boat for four months every summer. I thought if she can do it, so can I... but first I
needed a boat with beds. I lucked into an awesome deal and bought another OLD boat,
but it was 30 feet and had all the conveniences of home, even a shower... how divine.
During our first few day trips, I quickly realized that it was too much boat to be the
captain of, while simultaneously being the mother of my two boys, ages 8 and 13. So at
the 11th hour I sold the 30 foot boat and bought an 18 foot power boat with none of the
luxuries of home except for a cuddy with a bed almost big enough for the three of us.
Thank goodness my boys are small.
This new boat was perfect for us, it was manageable on my own, put out a lot less
pollution and the 100L fuel tank was a lot cheaper to fill than the 400L tank I had on my
previous boat!
We provisioned the boat for our first trip which was to last two weeks. I finally faced my
fear of straying away from shore and set out across the Georgia Straight mid June,
heading for Jervis Inlet poking in and out of harbours along the way. It was a fantastic
success. In early August we set out again, this time for five weeks. We went as far
north as the Thurlow islands and as far south as Horseshoe Bay, stopping up and down
the Sunshine Coast and Desolation Sound.
One of my favourite memories is also one of my scariest. We had been out for about
two weeks in August when I had to face my first rapids. We wanted to visit a cabin on
the Octopus Islands that many mariners have left crazy pieces of art made from
driftwood and other items found on beaches. To get there though, I had to cross
through the Hole in the Wall rapids. For days before hand I sought advice from
numerous people on docks, I researched online anytime I could get a wifi connection, I
watched youtube videos and poured over the tide and current books. We finally arrived
at the edge of the rapids. I floated just outside of the rapids for an hour watching,
waiting, for someone else to go through first.
I felt like a big chicken but I also felt the responsibility of getting my two little boys safely
through this passage. When a little sail boat started through and it was just about slack
tide so I mustered up all my courage, gave my boys a big lecture about sitting in one
place, not getting in the way, not making noise and keeping a sharp look out for deadheads, debris, tidal pools and standing waves. I’m sure they felt my fear because for once they listened to my directions and didn’t budge.
Not surprisingly, we made it through without ANY problems. As we neared the exit of
the rapids, I started to relax and finally let out the breathe I’d been holding the entire
time.
And then... the best moment of the whole summer happened. My youngest son threw
his arms up in the air and triumphantly screamed at the top of his lungs, “YAYYYY!!!
Mommy face her fears and she DID IT!!!”. Wow! It suddenly occurred to me that
not only was I facing my fear of rapids, but more importantly, MUCH more importantly, I
realized that I had taught my boys a very important lesson - that you never quit. Even
when you’re terrified, you just prepare as best as you can, and then you blunder on
through. Any doubts I had about taking taking two kids out on such a small boat for
such a long time instantly evaporated. I felt like a very good mommy at that particular
moment.
The rest of the trip was just as great. We spotted killer whales four separate times and
watched a pod of dolphins play in our wake for an hour up in the Cardero Channel.
Sure there were fights between my boys, bad weather (we even missed my youngest
son’s birthday party in Courtenay while stranded in Powell River due to high winds) and
the catastrophic moment when the pee bucket washed over board, but we survived it all
and came away with great memories. We also learned a lot of valuable lessons that will
serve my boys well for the rest of their lives. We look forward to our three month
adventure this summer!!!
Daphne Stuart is a local music teacher and resides in Comox with her two boys. To
contact Daphne email her at ithinkican73@gmail.com
