High and Dry for Another Winter

Haul Out Day (October 5th)

This sailing season saw a few shorter trips, one to Nova Scotia, then mostly around the Bay of Fundy. This year family came down for daysails or weekend excursions. For the most part stayed in the St. Andrews area venturing out into the Bay of Fundy making weekend runs with friends and other boaters to Campobello Island and Grand Manan.

Basically, Moon Dancer II is all winterized, with the annual "To-Do" list starting to build.  For now... we get through the cold months to March then start plugging away at those jobs that need to get done before launch in late May or early June.

Time to start dreaming of next years' trip...

Cheers,
Dave & Wharfy

"The cure for anything is Salt Water: Sweat, Tears or the Sea." Quote by Isaac Dinesen



Half Covered for the Winter...
(November 2nd)

Back in St. Andrews, NB



Michael at the Helm around Cape Fourchu

The Trip across the Bay was interesting. When we left Yarmouth on 16th of July, winds were in the nose for the whole day around 15-20 knots, would have been great if we were going the other direction. Seas were between 1 - 2m towards the end of the days run. Motored the whole day covering about 36 NM. We spent a quiet evening on the docks in Westport, Brier Island.

Weather was forecasting good winds for a run to North Head, Grand Manan on the 17th. Upon departing Westport, we set sails and sailed the whole way into North Head. Off Proprietor Shoals, we spotted many whales blowing and saw whales jumping out of the water in the distance. Spectacular as usual. You never get used to seeing these animals. Gryphon had mechanical issues upon starting up. Prop Shaft & Coupling System separated. We towed Gryphon into the Harbour where we found a marine mechanic that temporarily fixed the problem, enough to get back to St. Andrews.

Gryphon motoring toward Westport,
Brier Island, NS

The following day put us back into our home Harbour. Michael departed with his parents, and we finished the evening cleaning boats and a supper at the Red Herring. Over all a great trip. Planning another run later in the month or early August back around that part of the coast.

Fair Winds,

"A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor"


Wharfy on watch from behind the Dodger

In Yarmouth



We have had a nice few days in Yarmouth, winds have been very light to nil. Not enough to sail anywhere. On July 12th, my parents arrived by vehicle from Fredericton and had supper aboard, then motored out around Cape Forchu and into False Harbour. Calm and only a gentle sea swell present. We came in aorund dusk back to the docks. The 13th of July was much the same for weather conditions. No winds, sunny and quite hot for Yarmouth...no body around here complaining as since June 1st, they've had 36 days of rain. We motored out to John's Cove after having supper at Rudder's. Anchored at the mouth the Cove and dingyed into the sand beaches. Nice evening. Michael, Cody, Chris & Karyn & I got to walk about the white sand beach for a bit until we headed back to the boat, hauled anchor, then motored out to my father's old homestead on the Cape. Today we were planning to do a daysail to Green Island, fog came in thick and took that idea away as a scenic little cruise.

At Anchor in John's Cove for the evening

St. Andrews to Yarmouth, NS



Gryphon & Moon Dancer II tied up
at Northhead, Grand Manan

First trip of the year is a run to Yarmouth. I am taking my nephew (& Wharfy) aboard for a cruise from St. Andrews to Yarmouth. My brother & his wife & son are accompanying us (or us them) for this two week cruise. We departed St. Andrews on July 7th for Northhead, Grand Manan. The run was basically uneventful motoring most of the way. We tied up to seiner for the night and departed Norhthead at 1130hrs on July 8th for Westport, Brier Island. Off Proprietor Shoal we spotted three humpback whales lying on the surface. After breaching a few times they showed their huge tails and dove below the surface. We were able to sail for three hours with 15 knots of wind from the NE. Upon arriving in Westport, Brier Island, we settled in for another night and planned the route for July 9th to Yarmouth. We all hiked down to the point of land over looking Peter Island and it's lighthouse. There also is the memorial to Joshua Slocum. Winds were forecasted light from the SE, which meant motoring for the most part. Saw a few whales, other than that pretty uneventful. In Yarmouth now and will remain until the first of the week when we will start back across to St. Andrews again.

Cheers. Dave & Mike


Chris & Karyn on Gryphon under full
sail toward Westport, Brier Island, Nova Scotia

Boat is in for the Season!!!

On the mooring in St. Andrews

After a successful launch of the boat (& 3 others) on June 1st, we are all moored back in St. Andrews for the season. No issues at launch, and the boat is now rigged for sailing as of this past weekend thanks to the help  of my daughter who came down for a couple nights aboard.

Hoping for a little shakedown cruise to Campobello Island this weekend to make adjustments to the rigging and sails. Need a couple nice dry days to do some bright work and cleaning of the outside.

More later...

Dave & Wharfy

"The meek shall inherit the earth, the brave shall get the oceans..." unknown

Boat Preparations for 2013

April is here, tarps are off and the major work begins again refitting and doing the maintenance tasks for the upcoming boating season.  Major work this year is on the fuel system. The old tank is pumped and removed and a local welder is fabricating a new aluminum 55 gal fuel tank. I've replaced all the fuel lines & vent line, cleaned the RACOR filter body and have it all reinstalled awaiting the new tank to be completed later this month.

Other tasks include installing a new chart plotter and connecting it to the network of other electronics aboard.  The autohelm control head is toast... Other parts seem to work fine, but need to invest another $2000 to get it up and running again...(next year)...

More smaller projects include adding another vhf antenna to the head of the mizzen mast, and a new spreader light to light up the cockpit.

Bright work and buffing the hull are always on the list.

June 1st is set for our launch date. Hopefully a little sunny warm weather on weekends before hand to get stuff ready for Launch.

More Later...

Dave & Wharfy

"He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea".
"Wine hath drowned more men than the sea."
Thomas Fuller