In Shelburne at the Shelburne Yacht Club

Motoring toward Cape Sable, NS

It was a long sail from Yarmouth to Shelburne, started off at 0500hrs leaving behind the lights of the town,  and heading to sea for the day. The weather was good with no fog in the morning and light winds from the SW at about 5 knots.  Not enough to sail, and the iron Jib ran most of the day. Sea state forecasts were giving 1-2m seas, and by the time we were approaching the Tail of the Rip 6 hours later, we were dipping the bowsprit into the water, still calm wind but really lumpy seas.  We did well motoring with the tide all morning between 8 & 9 knots over ground.  Once rounding Cape Sable seas settled to a ground swell from the south west and it was just like the ocean was breathing... up...and...down.  Prior to the Tail of the Rip, Wharfy came up on deck and looked rather sluggish, after bouncing around he went back below and displayed his breakfast on the cabin sole...poor little fella. He slept until we hauled into Shelburne. Otherwise, all was well. 

The last 20 nautical miles (NM) we were able to put up the sails and shutdown the engine and sail for a couple hours. Fog by this time was fairly thick. Winds were from the SE at about 12 knots.  We heard on the vhf two sailboats that required assistance from the Coast Guard for mechanical issues...one off Halifax, the other off Lunenburg.

Upon arriving in Shelburne we saw 6 of the tall ships that landed here the day before from Halifax on there route back to the Boston and areas in Southern New England.  Doug, Sheri & Bryce drove up from Yarmouth on Sunday to tour the tall ships with us.  We ate out at the "Salty Dog" Pub on the waterfront.  The food rivals Rudder's in Yarmouth.  I had a big plate of Salt Cod Dinner with Chow. Some good!

Today we are watching the weather and hoping to depart for Liverpool (Brooklyn Marina) tomorrow.  This trek is only about 37NM and won't be the 13 hour day we endured coming from Yarmouth. Here's hoping for weather for sailing.  Need Southerly winds for going up the coast and these North - North Easterlies for the return trip...Things are kinda backwards now...  Oh Well.

Enough babbling for today.  Some mechanical maintenance this afternoon and fuel, and we should be set to depart tomorrow morning.

Cheers,

Dave & Wharfy

PS. The Cat agrees with this one...

"I don't know who named them swells. There's nothing swell about them. They should have named them awfuls."   -Hugo Vihlen 

Enjoying Yarmouth as Always



Moon Dancer II at the Killam Brothers dock in Yarmouth

Have been settled into Yarmouth, as the routine, for a time when we can visit relatives.  Enjoyed a seafood supper at Rudder's restaurant right off from where we are moored with my parents.  Tonight we spent time with my cousin, Bobby and his wife Marilyn over a wonderful meal of lobster sandwiches...real sandwiches with lots of lobster...one of the real ways to eat lobster! Even enough to have snacks and lunch tomorrow. My parents drove in to visit  family and tour around together...that has been fun and interesting as we have shopped around and also visited a couple graves sights from my grandparents.  Now getting ready to settle in for the night. we broke down and got dock space this evening to make the rainy day today a bit more bearable for getting on and of the boat. Saturday looks like our departure date for Westhead, Cape Sable, then off to Shelburne.

Cheers,

Dave Wharfy



Summer Cruise 2012 to Nova Scotia Begins

(July 18, 2012) -We have gotten underway.  It has been a rushed month so far. Canada Day Celebrations, Weddings, Birthdays...but things are settling out now.  Have departed St. Andrews, in a rush, boat was packed but things not stowed.  We spent the first afternoon motoring to Northhead, Grand Manan approximately 30 Nautical Miles from St. Andrews.  While motoring I was busy stowing things in the proper places for sailing.  Landed in Northhead at about 1730hrs and enjoyed BBQ'ed steak & potatoes.  The evening was spent on a mooring where a smooth gentle swell rocked one to sleep very quickly. The next morning we were up and actually ready to sail...

(July 19, 2012) -We departed Grand Manan at 1130hrs with the tide bound for Westport, Brier Island on the South Western tip of Nova Scotia which is about a 36 NM run. Winds were from the NW at about 10 kts, which was barely enough to make Moon Dancer II sail, but were were able to make a Speed Made Good of about 5.5 kts through out this leg. Another beautiful day. Westport was clear and calm. Cooked a roast beef in the oven earlier in the afternoon as we sailed. Made for a lovely meal once we were in the shelter of Westport.



Wharfy Watching from his favourite perch.

Under Sail Cross St. Mary's Bay

Yesterday, July 20, we sailed with the tide at noon from Westport headed for one of our favourite spots to be...Yarmouth.  A lot of improvements over the past few years have made this port well worth visiting either for short or long term...and of course family being from here. During this passage of 36 NM we were able to sail under the NW winds from 10-12 knots for most of the day, arriving in Yarmouth at 1800hrs. SMG was about 5.8 kts.  We landed here right at the beginning of the Sea Festival Days...something we will be taking advantage of.  We are here for the next 4-5 days to visit and enjoy just relaxing before continuing to Shelburne. Perfect weather so far!

Cheers,

Dave & Wharfy the Cat

"The only way to get a good crew is to marry one." -Eric Hiscock

July 1st at St. Andrews: CANADA Day

Skipper Asher running the Dingy

Canada Day Raft

July 1st was a grand day in St. Andrews. The best spot for watching the fireworks was from the mooring.  We had a great little sail with family aboard.  The Grandkids both aboard... Asher proclaims "Gippy's Boat" as we approach the sailboat with the dingy.  Chloe finds some pirate stuff to dress up in.  A light wind sail around Navy Island was a nice precursor to enjoying the fireworks.  All in all a lovely evening with family as Jen & Nick with Asher & Chloe, Joanna, Bob & Sharon joined me & Wharfy aboard  for the Day. My brother Chris & sister-in-law Karyn with Cody, Jordan & Noah aboard Gryphon, and Marty, Gretta & Vaughn aboard ZOOM rafted to us in the harbour for the festivities as well.

Pirvateer Chloe... ARGH!

T'was a Happy Canada Day!

Dave & Family