26 Feet to the Charlottes

When June Cameron and Paul Holsinger set out in 1983 in Paul's ancient 26-foot wooden sloop, Wood Duck, to cross the perilous Hecate Strait and explore the weather-beaten west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands (now known as Haida Gwaii), they knew they would face danger. But June had raced her own sailboat for years and Paul was a gifted mechanic, so they put trepidation aside and answered the call to adventure.

Their journey taught them much about the challenges faced by the area's First Nations inhabitants—and much about why skippers do not sail the outer coast of the Charlottes for pleasure. There are no lighthouses, and many rocks and reefs are uncharted. June and Paul's survival would depend on cautious, observant navigation—and luck.

26 Feet to the Charlottes takes readers to remote beaches, uninhabited First Nations villages, abandoned mines and sheltered coves. Compelling reading for sailors and armchair adventurers alike, June's story conveys the joys and challenges of travelling by boat and living off the sea, and recalls a coast that has changed dramatically in the last century.

Cand June Cameron si Paul Holsinger au plecat in 1983, in vechea salopa de lemn de 26 de metri a lui Paul, Wood Duck, pentru a traversa periculoasa stramtoare Hecate si a explora coasta de vest a insulei Charlotte Charlotte (acum cunoscuta sub numele de Haida Gwaii), stiau ca se vor confrunta cu pericolul. Insa iunie se alergase cu propriul ei velier de ani de zile, iar Paul era un mecanic inzestrat, asa ca au lasat ingrijorarea deoparte si au raspuns apelului la aventura. skipperii nu navigheaza pe coasta exterioara a Charlottes din placere.