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.
Anchored off Green Hill
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That was fun. Race Week is a wrap. Certainly amongst the old folks aboard another day might have been a bit much. I’m tired.
We came fifth in class. Today we came 2nd in the short course and 5th in the long race. Beautiful day, with a 15 knot seabreeze that came in after a brief wait.
I had fun, and felt like I did a decent job on the helm. Our starts were good, by my standards. The boat is very familiar to me, and we got better at sailing it as the week went on. I think everyone aboard enjoyed the series. It was fun to sail with David, Laura, Allister, and a great bunch of people.
Congratulations to Larry Creaser and the Young Blood crew for a well deserved first in class.
Good racing today. Sunny, with a surprisingly steady north wind at 8-12 knots. We sailed one short windward-leeward race and one longer distance race.
The J35 Falcon had a great day, with a 1 and 2. They now are sitting in third place. We had a 6 and 5 and are in fifth place.
Despite the results I think we all had a good day. We’ve been getting better each day in our boat handling and communication, and for the most part went fast in the right direction today. It’s good close racing.
Tomorrow is another sunny light day, with a transition to sea breeze expected in the afternoon.
Boating Adventures 