Month: August 2025

Yesterday was a lot of fun. I upped anchor and headed in as soon as the current went slack.  In hindsight it probably would have been sensible to wait for the water to come up a bit, but I had assumed that there would be a river channel visible at low tide.  Not really.  I ended up grounding a couple of times trying to get into the Bay.  No big deal, as the tide was rising by something like 5 ft/hr. 

Wolfville was barely visible over the marsh when I came by.  After that it was clearly a river.   Smooth sailing up to Port Williams.  I had a very strong tail current going under the bridge, and kept going on the twisty river.

Things got a little weird after that.  I’ve been replaying the events, and I think I drove down the front of a tidal bore.  I was maintaining 4-5 mph boat speed for steerage, but speed over ground was increasing, and I could see the water dropping ahead of me.  Just when I was getting concerned I grounded in the mud.  Nothing dramatic, but a full stop, with the stream coming from astern.

I lowered the anchor, and within minutes the boat lifted and swung around.  I took a look at my maps and decided I had come far enough, and headed back down river against the current. 

When I got to Wolfville the entrance channel had ten feet of depth, so I followed it in to the town.  That was delightful.  I anchored in the basin and dinghied into the dock for a meal out and groceries.

From Wolfville I came out and around to the Avon River, and anchored here last night.  This morning I was up early and went for a tour almost up to Windsor, then back out on a falling tide.  Not much to see.

I’m anchored here as I write this, waiting for the tide to change.  Today I’m heading into the basin, with a plan to anchor in Maitland for a day or two to explore the Salmon and Shubenacadie rivers.

Weather continues to be very cooperative. Most of the province is under severe drought conditions, and there is a large wildfire nearby that’s been burning most of the summer.  I saw lots of smoke from it for the first time yesterday.

Pics from yesterday, in order.

This is my view this morning as I wait for the tide to change at 1230.  I’m anchored here near Wolfville.  Sunny and calm.  Parrsboro is beyond the bluff.

I got ashore briefly in Parrsboro, and had a visit with Eric and Rosalie who are camping there this weekend.  I was planning to stay last night, but at high tide it was very uncomfortable.  Even small waves can get really nasty when the current is flowing.   So I upped anchor about an hour before dusk and headed over here.

I anchored farther out last night, then came in on a falling tide this morning.  This is as far as I could come without danger of being stranded at low tide.  I’ll have about 2 ft of water under me when the tide changes in about an hour.

My plan is to travel on the incoming tide as far as I can upstream.  Should be fun.  There’s a bridge at Port Williams that may stop me.  Tidal range here today is about 30 ft.

I grew up in Halifax but never spent significant time in this area.  I have a much firmer grasp on the geography now.  Sitting here I can look into the valley, with the north mountain as a distinct feature.  In the early days access by water would have been through here or the Annapolis Basin.

Pics from yesterday.  I have some history with Parrsboro, having vacationed there lots as a kid with my family.  It’s very cool for me to visit by boat.  I remember when the Kipawo was returned and became the Ship’s Company Theatre.  That was the last boat to do ferry service between Wolfville, Kingsport, and Parrsboro. 

The forecast shows no more than 10 knots of wind  over the next week, so my plan is to do a circumnavigation of Minas Basin, and explore the major rivers as much as possible. 

This morning I was brewing coffee when I got a radio call from someone overlooking the Bay offering shore side support if I needed it.  Nice way to start the day. 

I went around Cape Split about 1/2 hour before low tide.  No significant currents.  A lot of friends have hiked this area.  It’s quite spectacular, and I’m sure when the tides are ripping it’s even more so.  Maybe I’ll be more adventurous on the way out.

I’m anchored here, and will stay for a day or two.  Tidal range here today is about 28 ft.

Smooth sailing along the coast today.  I’m now anchored here.  Tomorrow I’ll go around Cape Split and into the Minas Basin.

Yesterday was a perfect travel day.  Sunny, calm and cool. I had planned to leave around 9:00 to time the tides, but someone in a small boat came by around 8:00 and woke me up.  They had concerns about my anchor and their water lines for the onshore lobster pound.  I raised my anchor while they stood by to assist in case I was snagged.  No issues, but I left ahead of schedule.

There were four boats doing whale watching tours, and I watched them on AIS after arriving.  They were clearly seeing whales, and disembarking passengers were very happy with the experience.  I headed out to that area, but didn’t see anything.  After I turned down towards Digby I watched them come out behind me and stop a few miles behind me.  I never did see any whales the whole trip down.

I arrived at Digby Neck at high tide, and went ashore in Digby, then up to Annapolis Royal, where I spent the night.  Nice spot.  This morning I was underway at 0730 to catch slack low tide out.  The tidal range in Digby is about 20 ft today.

Today I’m following the north shore of NS towards the Minas Basin for as long as the tail current holds.    It’s giving me an extra 2 mph right now, and will turn in 4-5 hours.  The basic plan is to travel on the incoming tide for about 7 hours, stop for 17, and repeat.  Coming back towards St John will be travelling on the ebb tide.  Weather looks completely suitable for continuing on. 

Yesterday’s pics

And this morning leaving

This morning I filled up with fuel and water and left Yarmouth on a favourable tide.  Foggy with calm seas.  As planned we arrived here at slack tide.  Tomorrow we’ll do something similar to hop down the shore to Digby.

Fuel stats: 513 litres since Port Hawksbury, 702 miles/89 hrs.

I’ll get ashore and wander around today.  Waiting for the sun to break through.

As planned I got ashore in the evening.  It’s very picturesque here.  Big tides, lots of birds.  There are several whale watching tours operating.  Maybe I’ll see some tomorrow.

I’m anchored here in Yarmouth Harbour.  Got here about noon on a favourable current.  South winds and rain tomorrow night in the forecast, then benign weather through the next week.

I briefly thought I’d have to clean salt off the windshield when I got a little splash today going through a tidal rip.  But with rain forecast I think I can put it off a little longer.  It really has been smooth sailing.

The tidal range is getting bigger.  About 12 feet here today.  I came in at high tide and anchored in a 15 knot wind blowing down the harbour.  Now the boat is sailing around on the anchor, with wind fighting outgoing current.  It’ll look different here at low tide.

My plans have been coming a bit more into focus.  I have an approximate target date for arriving in St John of about Sept 8.  I’d like to find a spot to leave Escapade for a week or so while I return to Ontario.  Then up the river.

Looking at the charts in a bit more detail, I’ve realized that it probably makes sense to do a big loop from here, with St John as the midpoint.  I’ve also been looking at exploring the Minas Basin.  It looks completely doable in fair conditions.  From here my basic game plan is to follow the NS shore line as closely as I can.  Digby, Annapolis Royal, Hantsport and Maitland are all on my list, as is Parsborrough.

I’m anchored here for the night. 

Today I left Shelburne around 0700 to get the currents right.  Rounded Cape Sable close at slack current, and followed the shoreline north.  Stopped at West Head for an excellent fish and chips.

Tomorrow looks good for getting to Yarmouth.

Pics, in order

I’m anchored in the harbour with a couple of other visiting boats.  Erin is going by today, but not much action here.  NE winds gusting to 25 kt.

We had a nice ride down yesterday.  Following breeze – I’m still weirded out by all this easterly wind – and occasional big sets of swells from the south due to Erin.  I can see how people get swept off the shoreline.

My inverter failed after I was running the 3000w water heater with the genset.  It was charging, and I tripped the main 30a main breaker twice before turning the inverter off.  Since then it flashes when turning on, and I can connect with my PC, but can’t find any way to remedy the situation. 

I can get by on 12v and run the genset for coffee and cooking.  For now it’s disconnected.  I guess I’ll unmount it and have a closer look when I’m motivated.  It was new this spring.  Should be under warranty.

I have no plans to move today.  Will get ashore soon.

I’ve been hanging out locally for a few days.  Got some groceries and did some laundry. Great as always to see Ruth and Jim in Deep Cove.  I was on their dock last night, and today Jim helped me get some needed repairs done. I now have hot water. 

Tonight I’m anchored in Lunenburg Front Harbour.   Pleasant calm evening.  A big hurricane is forecast to go by well offshore later this week, but for now it’s good traveling weather.  Tomorrow I head SW down the shore.

My plan is to follow the NS shoreline around the tip and towards the Minas Basin.  Yarmouth is my next major port of call. I’ve never been there.

My rough plan is to travel the coastline to the US border, then backtrack to St John.  From there I’ll head up the St John River as far as I can.  Then back to NS for the winter.

Pics have been light because I splashed another phone a week ago.  I’m pretty much sorted now, though I’m a little disappointed that I’ve been unable to get a new esim without receiving a text message or visiting the nearest store 80 km away.  I really thought I had full remote recoverability.  Not quite, apparently.

Apart from the next 80 miles or so this is all new territory for me.  I’m starting to get excited.  I have some open guest slots, for those interested in joining me. 

Some boat pics.  The Tancook Island Ferry, new J40(2), Farr 56(2), a cute Crosby Tug(?)(2), and a Nordhavn that is actually quite attractive.