Storm Watching on a Sailboat Charter from Vancouver, BC

We have probably had the most questions about this boating youtube vlog!!

The following are responses by Captain GiO and First Mate Pam:

Q. The captain did not know the proper weather forecast?
Q. Wasn't that kind of dangerous to do?

A. The first mate checked the wrong forecast, the Captain knew the correct region's forecast and decided Gusts up to 30 knots in the Northern Salish Sea was something he was ready to experience. Before starting the leg featured in this footage he asked the first mate if she was ok with heading out... both checked the weather forecast on their iPhones and then agreed to go out. About 1.5 hours into an 8 hour epic to windward leg through two major storm fronts Pam determined Nanaimo North had a different forecast than what she had bookmarked on her iPhone. The first mate still comes out regularly and also braved Haro Straight during a Strong wind warning. In Haro Straight she explained the difference between Upwind vs Downwind storm sailing to Fran, a nervous crew mate on a different 8 day trip during August 2011. She explained it was all a matter of experience which builds tolerance which then helps to quell seasickness.

The Captain wanted to share this footage so more people will come out for an adventure when Pacific Northwest Sailing is at its most exciting. Only having 1/3 of your sails up and having a 16,000 pound sailboat buring it's toerail is something most land-lubbers will never experience. You do not need to go to Tofino to have a Sea Storm Watching experience of a lifetime!

Would be Crew should realize that typical storms in this region come as waves of cold fronts moving through the Straight. This means there is a cycle to the behaviour of the wind. Wait one hour and the intensity will probably shift. Only experience junkies should come on a storm watching trip. There is no fast way to get off when we are out in the middle of it.