Uncategorized – Page 36 – Boating Adventures

Exposed Rudder

I ran over a rope in one of the coves close to Tantallon on Monday. We were traveling parallel to the shore maybe 400 feet out and I noticed a line of buoys outside of us, then at the last moment saw that the line went all the way to shore. It was very tight, and some of the floats directly in front of us may have been submerged. We went across it at 90 degrees.

I reflexively did what I would have done in Mazurka when I realized the situation. Cut the throttle and go into neutral. In Mazurka I could go over lines and debris that way with relative impunity.

Escapade has an exposed spade rudder, and it’s a real vulnerability. I knew that when I got the boat. But I was reminded of that when the rudder hooked the line and we came to a stop.

I was pretty quickly able to determine from the swim platform that the line was clear of the prop. I tried without success to push it down with a boat hook to clear the rudder, but there was a lot of tension on the line and regularly spaced floats.

Fortunately it was calm and fair. After several minutes of study, Greg suggested we try the thrusters, and after a couple of attempts we managed to rotate our way free using the bow and stern thrusters. Greg operated them while I directed from the swim platform.

It’s got me thinking more defensively about the next part or my trip. A knife taped to a boat hook could have easily and quickly extricated us from this situation, and if it were rough I’d go there pretty quickly. But the prop is somewhat exposed as well. I think I’m just going to have to be super observant and diligent in avoiding pots and lines and cross my fingers.

My other takeaway is not to go into glide mode. Had I assertively acted to stop the boat when I realized we were going to cross the line I could have avoided going across it. In hindsight that’s what I should have done. I need to work on that.

I should also note that driving this boat into narrow dead end coves and turning around in a boat length is a blast. I’ve been doing a lot of that lately. The thrusters are my get out of jail free card, but the boat is extremely maneuverable with that rudder and broad flat section aft of the keel, and I can easily do a 180 in less than two boat lengths without thrusters. As with many things, it’s a compromise.

Chester

I’m anchored here in front harbour. Lovely spot, lots of boat traffic and the Bluenose and HMCS Oriole near by. A few of the classic designs out doing practice maneuvers.

The fog never really lifted today. It all feels familiar.

I’m going to shadow the racing for a day or two. I was ashore earlier and it was very quiet. Not like the Race Weeks that I remember from my youth. The Bluenose class looks like fun. The boats and rig have changed, with blade jibs and no spinnaker. They have a fleet of something like 25 racing this week.

Mahone Bay

I was in the Northwest Arm Saturday shopping for some boat stuff, and stayed there Saturday Night.

Greg came back aboard Sunday morning with his old friend Tom, and the three of us had a fun and relaxed cruise around to Tom’s home in Gen Margaret on the eastern shore of St Margaret’s Bay. Marvelous trip, we went into every inlet along the way, and had benign conditions.

I was pretty busy watching where we were going, but Tom was taking some pictures. These are his.

Saturday night we were on a mooring in front of Tom’s place. Very nice property. I was happy to hang on Tom’s deck listening to Tom and Greg make music into the wee hours.

Today Greg and I followed the shoreline counter clockwise around St Margaret’s Bay, exploring all the inlets. We came around the end of the Aspotogan Penninsula into Mahone Bay, took a little side trip into Deep Cove, then out to anchor off Little Tancook Island in front of a home owned by Fred and Moira, other friends of Greg.

I’m back aboard now after a relaxed and fun dinner ashore at their place. Greg is sleeping in Spudgel, a delightful outbuilding on the shoreline.

I have to say my plan of closely following the shoreline has been fabulously successful and interesting. I’ve done this trip countless times, but always in a sailboat and always well off the shoreline. Much of the water we covered in the last two days was new to me.

I don’t have much on my agenda for the next few days. Chester Race week starts Wednesday, and I’ll take that in, then have a few days of visits and visitors booked for next week in the area. Weather looks benign through the week. Good motor cruiser weather.

Toronto – Halifax Summary

I filled up with fuel and water and pumped out at Dartmouth Yacht Club today. Nice facility.

Some numbers on my trip from Toronto – Halifax:

Start date May 20
End date July 29
Distance: 2,090 nautical miles, 3,870 km
Engine hours: 322
Fuel used: 2,074 l, 548 us gal

I need to correct earlier posts on fuel economy, which were based on the instrument reported consumption. I thought they were awfully good. I started to catch on to the discrepancy after getting going this spring. Based on my observations the instrumented fuel consumption is only about 75% of actual burn.

I’ve been loligagging around Halifax and Bedford for a week catching up with old friends and tidying up a bit. Escapade has some admirers here. I think the heritage is appreciated.

This weekend I’ll head out the harbour and turn right. The south shore beckons. I’m not sure where or when my next extended stop will be. My plan is to hop to the US from southwestern NS, but that depends on the border opening to visitors. In any case I’m excited to be heading down the shore.

Local Adventures

I’m committed to staying in the Halifax area for the next week or so before heading for the south shore. It’s good to stop, and there are a number of people I want to see here.

Today my uncle Eric and his wife Rosalie were aboard for a visit and a cruise around Bedford Basin. Their pics are below.

Bedford

I’m in Bedford. The end of the trip. Currently tied to David’s raft moored in Long Cove.

Had a lovely cruise here from Ship Harbour. Lots of people aboard the last few days, and here are some of their pictures.

Lots of good memories of the last few days. It’s been great catching up with old friends. Greg and I looked up another friend Janice who lives on the water in West Jeddore, and we anchored in front of her house and then had a cruise around the upper reaches of the inlet followed by dinner ashore.

Janice and her daughter Wren and Wren’s partner Darcy joined us for the trip around to Petpeswick the next day. We anchored near the sailing club for the night and had a good view of the racing.

Today was a relaxed cruise around to Eastern Passage, where I dropped Greg off, and on to Bedford. David and Laura brought pizza over this evening in their Nonsuch.

A brief update

I’m happily hanging on a mooring in Ship Harbour. Lovely spot. Came in yesterday, had dinner and campfire ashore with my old friend David and his wife Laura, and we went exploring locally today on Escapade. Beautiful weather. I always enjoy poking into tight/shallow waters, and David had a few spots he wanted to check out. There are dozens of islands within a few miles of here, and a few gorgeous beaches. I can see why David and Laura are excited to be developing their waterfront property here.

Tomorrow my friend Greg will join me for the trip from here to Halifax. It’s not far in a straight line but there is an interesting shore line to explore. We won’t be in a rush.

Next scheduled stop is Bedford. My home town. Will definitely stop there for a while.

Unfortunately (?) no pics from today, as I had a phone failure this morning. I have a few from yesterday but can’t share them right now. Such is life. It’s just more of the same anyway 🙂

Ship Harbour

I’m in Ship Harbour visiting with my old friend David and his wife Laura. They have a cottage property here with a mooring. Easy trip yesterday in calm conditions. We had a fun day exploring the local inlets, islands and beaches today.

Tomorrow evening another friend is joining me here for a couple of days to head for Halifax.

These pics are from the trip here Saturday. I sort of fried my phone this morning so no more pics for a few days. Today was beautiful weather and scenery.

Eastern Shore

That was a fun day. Came out of St Peter’s then west of Ile Madam. From Canso around to Whitehead I stayed inside islands as much as possible, then went up to the head of the bay at Whitehead.

I’m now anchored here after a straight run up the coast from Whitehead into rain and SW winds. Nice sheltered spot, and it’s cleared up since I stopped. Good weather forecast for the next couple of days.

Bras D’Or

I had a nice dinner in Baddeck last night, and this morning fueled up and picked up a few things at the grocery store. This afternoon I left Baddeck and after coming through Iona went up the East Bay to Ben Eoin before turning around. Weather was unsettled with occasional rain.

I’m now anchored here for the night. Very quiet and well protected. Tomorrow I’ll go through St Peter’s back to the ocean.