On the Hard For the Season.

Back on the Hard

The sailing season seemed too short, although it was fantastic. All told, made about 1000 nautical miles of just gunk holing around the coast of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.  The boat survived the hit from Hurricane Arthur unscathed when many boats in the harbour were written off.  Took in different festivals and events where possible, spent time visiting family and made new friends along the way. 

High & Dry

Haul out took place on October 4th, at the Bayside Marine Terminal.  Tried to make the boat as light as possible as the lift group hired a 30t crane to do the lifting.  The operator said she weighed in at 23,000lbs with both masts off. The crane didn't have much room for movement at that weight.  The boat made the trip from the dock to the boatyard to be cleaned and decommissioned for the season. The engine was winterized and plumbing system disconnected and flushed.  The only job left is the frame and tarp.  Already making the list for winter maintenance projects and upgrades.

The Fall has been mild and nice, seems hard to think of storage when things are this unusually warm. The change from nice to winter could literally happen overnight though. Good to be high and dry for now.

Stay Warm...awaiting the spring...

"Always be yourself! Unless you can be a Sailor, then, Always Be A Sailor!"

Final Days of Summer Vacation Aboard



S/V Coot approaching North Head, Grand Manan, NB



Over the last week the weather has made a bit of a change. Cooler days and cool evenings where I've had to start running the propane fireplace.

August 19^th left Yarmouth for Brier Island.  Motored out of the harbour and set sails about a mile from the Yarmouth Light. Winds & weather were very favourable and enjoyed a full day of sailing for the 35NM trip arriving in Westport at 1800hrs where the sails were dropped just outside of the breakwater. Clear, calm seas and winds blowing SW 15 knots …it doesn’t get much better than that.  Sailed with another boat from Montreal on their way to the Bahamas for the winter. The boat was a Hunter 35 that quickly out sailed our boat. Appreciated meeting Denis & Louis aboard their boat D’Artagnan, sharing sailing stories back & forth with them.

Upon reaching Westport, met a couple aboard the sailboat “Coot” from North Ferrisburgh, Vermont. This sailboat initially saw in Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, then again in Yarmouth. Rafted Moon Dancer up to a fishing boat on the dock and D’Artagnan to me ready for a departure early afternoon the next day.

August 20^th weather was beautiful again, dry air and clear calm conditions with winds from the SW again about 10 knots.  Great sailing day! D’Artagnan, Coot, and Moon Dancer II all departed Westport for North Head, Grand Manan.  Another roughly 35NM day which most was spent sailing. A couple sightings of whales (one showing his tail) made for a nice crossing. At North Head we tied up inside the breakwater to a couple fishing boats. Took Wharfy for a short walk up on the main wharf and watched the International Space Station orbit overhead for about 5 minutes.  Early to bed.

August 21^st had a gam with Denis & Louis just before they left to head down the Grand Manan channel for their journey down New England.  Silas & Lisa came over to discuss charts and navigating in around the Passamaquoddy Bay.  Sat and talked until it was time to leave for St. Andrews.  They may be coming in to visit St. Andrews next week at some point before heading to south to Maine for haul-out. Enjoyed chatting with them.

So now, the boat is back on the mooring in St. Andrews, cleaning and getting ready to come off the boat on Sunday morning.  Home and back to work. Great sailing memories were made this year.

Hopefully weather will hold for another few weekends before the boats come out to enjoy some short cruises here in the Passamaquoddy Bay.  Looks like the end of September for our lift.

All tolled for the summer, sailed about 605 miles, in mostly amazing weather. Very pleased considering how the season started with Arthur nailing our port in St. Andrews.

Cheers,

Dave & Pudding Butt (Wharfy)



Beating into the wind enroute to Westport, Brier Island, NS



Back In Yarmouth Harbour



Wharfy on watch on the foredeck (watching seabirds)
as we round Cape  Sable, NS

It's always a indication that summer is drawing to a close and having to think about going back to work, well, don't want to go there yet...

Made two good days from Lunenburg last Sunday making Shelburne on Sunday evening, then Yarmouth on Monday evening about 2200hrs.  Two beautiful days made it easy to make some miles. Prior to rounding Cape Sable, spotted 2 very large sea turtles, first time for me. Tried to circle around and get a picture of this creature.  He dove after getting about 20 feet from him. Happened to get a picture of just his shell.

The plan is to stay put here for a week before heading back across the bay via Brier Island and either Grand Manan or Campobello.  Weather certainly has been nice so far with a the exception of a few days of needed rain.

Yesterday spent the day with my Uncle Dougie & Aunt Sheri and Cousin Bryce. Nice to spend a day ashore and with family. Dougie & Sheri always make one feel very welcome in Yarmouth! Yarmouth always holds a special place in my heart as the place where the family is from.  Hoping to take the cat back to the wharf where he came from... just to remind him how good he has it aboard the boat...  but really to visit Bobby & Marilyn.


Sunset on the Atlantic about 20 miles
outside of Yarmouth, NS

Dougie & Sheri gave the use of one of their cars for the next couple days to run errands and do a bit of visiting. Hoping to get down to the cape and look around for a bit.

The next few days a music festival starts at the marina where we are.  Folk (Irish, Acadienne, etc.) Two big tents with entertainment all weekend.

More Later,

Dave & Wharfy

"I hate storms, but calms undermine my spirits." Bernard Moitessier, The Long Way

Back in Lunenburg starting for Home Port

Sadly,  now starting to make way back towards home. Still have a couple weeks to gunkhole around.  The last few days were a lot of fun. Jen, Nick & the Grand kids (Chloe, Asher & Rylen (aka Sea Legs) came for the day on Thursday. We motored from Chester (The Rope Loft) out to Round Island for an afternoon of swimming and laying around on the beach. It was so nice to see them, time went too quick and we head back into Chester to have supper at the Rope Loft and berth over night on their docks.



Poor Duck, completely worse for the wear
after Rylen played him out while aboard.



Friday heading from Chester to South Shore Marine for water & Fuel.  Passed by many beautiful anchorages, love to just stay put and sail these parts for another month... After fueling, started back for Lunenburg to do laundry & re-provision the boat for the trip back. Upon entering Lunenburg Bay, a severe thunderstorm blew down onto us, from 5 knots to 35 in seconds with heavy rains. Good rinse off for the boat. The lightning was too close for me though. Motored sailed into Lunenburg Harbour and within an hour or so, the weather was not too bad.

Sunny today, hoping to catch Bruce Guthro & Dylan Guthro for a short outdoor concert on the wharf.

Hoping to head to Shelburne on Monday, about a 77NM trip. Winds are currently calling for NW 10-15 which would be perfect for sailing that direction.

Fair Winds,

Dave & Wharfy

"For boats, even the uglier ones, are among the loveliest creations of man's hands and though owning them brings a train of debts, hangnails, bruises, bad frights, and all kinds of worries not experienced by those who content themselves with more practical vices, the relation between a man and his boat is as personal and intimate as the relation between husband and wife."  Desmond Holdridge

Day At Mason Island

Mason Island: Lat. 44 27.2988'N /
Lo. 064 14.6522'W




Yesterday motored out from Round Island to check out another little cove on Mason Island. This Island is perfect spot for anchoring in southerly winds.  Certainly, would have spent the night there, but the winds were out of East and there were heavy rain and the risk of thunder showers given.  Decided to return to the shelter of Round Island in the early evening for a late bbq supper. Rain hit soon after finished bbq'ing. The island was a definite for a return trip. Beautiful sand beaches and a whole field of wild Roses among the sand dunes.



Wild Roses on Mason Island, NS

Today, heading into Chester to pickup Jen, Nick & the Grand kids for the day. Then off to South Shore Marine to get fuel & water and do a truck (boat) load of laundry as it's now time to start heading back around towards New Brunswick.

More Later,

Dave & Wharfy the Cat





On A Mooring off Round Island



Moon Dancer II on a mooring off
Round Island, NS

Left Mahone Bay (Town) this morning in rain. After filling the water tanks at the Civic Marina, we departed the harbour for the scenic run to through the islands of Mahone Bay as I head towards Round Island. Passed many little spots where one could spend a night or two. Upon arrival at Round Island the clouds parted and spent the rest of the day in sun, going for a swim and evening walk on the beach. At dusk the other boats departed for their home ports one by one left leaving the place quiet and peaceful. Usually during the week this is a deserted place. Thanks to a local boater, have access to his mooring on Round Island. Plan to spend a couple nights here.  



Heading Back to Moon Dancer II
after stretching the legs on Round Island



I began reading another book called "Sailing A Serious Ocean" by John Kretschmer.  The Boat Locker in Lunenburg is bringing this author in to speak in late August, would be worth the trip to hear him.

If the weather holds a sail is planned out to another Mason Island on Wednesday to check out an anchorage at a nice beach.

Cheers,
Dave & Wharfy (aka Pudding Butt)


Last Day of the Pirate Festival / Regatta



La Diva as we are tacking out of the mooring
field to the race course



Today was the last day of the Pirate Festival / Regatta. Had the chance to sail on an IOD 30' 1930's Sloop with Skipper Steve & Mates Chris & Evan. There were two races, one longer one that we actually place first and the second race that we finished third in to take second overall. Great time sailing one of these old classics.



Pudd'in Butt in his Pirate Attire (Gets
a lot of attention)



Many people were dressed in theme for the Festival.  Spent the evening at the Mug & Anchor Pub listening to "Raggae Roots" play all evening. The place was packed as  outside a re-enactment of the burning of the Teazer took place.

Tomorrow, lifting anchor to spend a couple days sailing among the many islands of Mahone Bay, keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Bertha as it builds and starts it's track north eastward.  If the forecasts look bad, will head for a mooring at South Shore Marine in Chester Basin.

More Later,

Dave & Wharfy


Pirate Days Festival in Mahone Bay

Pirate Flags a fly'en for the Mahone Bay
Pirate Festival 2014

Still at anchor in Mahone Bay (Town). Have taken a bit of time to look around the town and just relax on the boat. Yesterday the temperature was up to about 30 degrees and went for a refreshing swim in the bay.  Water was about 22 degrees, which isn't too bad once you got use to it.  Last evening had dinghied to shore at the Civic Marina to get Wharfy off the boat for a bit and refill a water jug, heard some familar voices in the parking lot. Tony, Anne Marie & Matt (friends from Fredericton) just happened to have parked in the Marina to go for supper.  Joined them for a drink at the Mug & Anchor Pub before parting ways again. Nice to see someone from home.  Today also hoisted the Pirate Flags as many boats will this weekend.

The view from the anchorage. Off in
the distance, the three most photographed
churches in Canada.

 

The plan is to lift anchor on Monday and head out to a few of the islands in Mahone Bay and spend a few nights behind some of the islands discovered cruising a few years ago here. Weather doesn't seem too bad, hopefully the next tropical depression on the scope heads east long before hitting these waters.

More Later...



Dave & Wharfy





At Anchor in Mahone Bay




"Fast & Furious" Boat Building Competition
as part of the Lunenburg Classic Boat Festival

Yesterday, sailed from Lunenburg Harbour into Mahone Bay (Town). Only about a 20NM run, we were able to sail the whole way once outside Lunenburg Harbour. Winds were forecasted to be SW 20-25 knots with 2-3m seas. Seas actually were between 1-2m and winds were pretty steady at 25-30 knots. The beauty of the ketch is, she ran wonderfully with the mizzen sail set and about 40% of the jib unfurled.  Made about 6 knots through the water.  Another ketch rig from Rhode Island ran out ahead.  She was a beautiful 45-50 Ketch with red sails. She too, as I found out later, was heading for Mahone Bay.  Once rounding East Point (on East Point Island) and turning into Mahone Bay winds were on the beam and I unfurled the whole jib and made good time into the Town.



Another Ketch leaving Lunenburg for
Mahone Bay.

There was a bit of an issue with the roller furling, the line around the drum must have jumped a turn making it impossible to roll the headsail in.  I had to untangle that while Auto (autohelm) held the boat into the wind. Dropped the anchor on the east side of the harbour and took the cat in the dinghy to shore.  

This weekend is the Annual Pirate Festival and Mahone Bay Regatta. Entertainment and displays will make for a good time. Will post more later. Weather is not real nice, but there’s no snow in the forecast and no hurricanes blowing down on us… so can’t be that bad.

Later,

Dave & Wharfy






Hard Days work being a typical Cat
aboard Moon Dancer II

Classic Boat Reunion in Lunenburg





One of the Wooden Boats of the Festival

Still in Lunenburg, been at anchor for almost a week. Have been enjoying the weather and this weekend is the Classic Wooden Boat Reunion. Beautiful, and historic, boats from all over Nova Scotia have been showing up for the last two days. Attended some live entertainment on the dock in the evening just 100m from where Moon Dancer II is anchored.

Wharfy seems to catch the eye of a lot of people when we get ashore. He found a 50 year wooden schooner to jump aboard and explore at the invitation of the owner. He snooped from stem to stern while the owner & I chatted. Beautiful and classic.

Today is a classic sailboat race and dory races. Tomorrow (Sunday) is a “Fast & Furious” Boat Building competition –then race- if they indeed float. Staying stay put now until Monday or Tuesday after which I'll cast off for Mahone Bay to spend the week cruising around some of the small islands. Looking to anchor behind Round Island for a few days to enjoy a few days on this small uninhabited island.

Next weekend is the Pirate (Privateer) Festival in the Town of Mahone Bay. That has always proved a fun time. Weather has been spectacular… few showers one evening and that’s it since arriving here.



Wooden Sailboat Regatta: Everything from
Schooners to Sloops

Looks like a bit of rain forecast for Monday, which will be used to read or get little jobs done aboard.

Fair Winds,



Dave & Wharfy

“That's what sailing is, a dance, and your partner is the sea. And with the sea you never take liberties. You ask her, you don't tell her. You have to remember always that she's the leader, not you. You and your boat are dancing to her tune.” ― Michael Morpurgo, Alone on a Wide Wide Sea



The Captain & Wharfy (In Lunenburg Harbour)

McNabbs Island Light and abandoned houses
off Shelburne, NS

Landed in Lunenburg last evening after a long day of a 2 meter swells and no wind. Spent most of the trip so far motoring.

Since the last posting in Yarmouth we've had one interesting day at sea rounding Cape Sable, and one other day of running diesels all day long with very little sailing. Cape Sable turned out to be pretty rough. We knew it would be a bit bumpy. Gryphon and Moon Dancer II went through fine, some of the crew felt a little green in the gills. We departed Yarmouth at 0330hrs and traveled 75NM to landed early evening in Shelburne. They must have been expecting us, fireworks and the burning of a prop pirate ship after getting moored and anchored. Well, I guess we showed up for Pirate Days.

The next morning we departed Shelburne for Lunenburg. A 77NM day. Not much wind, motored most of the way, trip turned into a delivery run because of the layover in Yarmouth. Calm night at anchor in Lunenburg last evening.

Gryphon headed alone for South Shore Marine in Chester at 0930hrs this morning. By 1030hrs, Chris calls me on the radio with what appears to be a broken engine mount. I haul anchor and head out to Lunenburg Bay to assist and tow him toward Chester, as Queen Ann's Revenge heads from Chester to take over the tow into South Shore Marine. I turn about and head back to Lunenburg alone. Light (but there was some) winds let me spend the afternoon until 1500hrs sailing back to the anchorage in Lunenburg Harbour. Very peaceful sail, Wharfy even came out and sat in the cockpit for most the trip back.

More Later,

Dave & Wharfy.



Wharfy keeping watch in Lunenburg Harbour

In Yarmouth for Brief Layover

In Yarmouth after a brief delay in trying to leave for Chester (Mahone Bay) this past week.  As Hurricane Arthhur made is presense known in St. Andrews.  Approx. 14 boats had broke free from moorings with a number being a total loss. After deciding not to stay aboard (good decission) and the Post Tropical storm hit with a fury. Gusts of up to 67knots were recorded through out the day.

This caused a brief delay in departing as weather had to clear and we could do the small jobs that had to be done to the boat prior to leaving.



Wharfy Settles in among halibut gear
on a boat we rafted to in Westport, Brier Island, NS



Tied up along side a fishing boat
in Northhead, Grand Manan, NB



Wharfy the Cat & Cody (my Nephew) accompanied me on my boat as Gryphon & Moon Dancer II set sail for Yarmouth.  All 3 days to Yarmouth were beautiful days ... especially if you owned a power boat. We had to motor the whole way... First day put us in Northhead, Grand Manan. Second day we motored to  (about 27 NM). Second day we headed across the Bay of Fundy and landed in Westport, Brier Island, NS (about 37 NM). Third day we departed Westport for the calmest of crossing to Yarmouth. Seas were like a mill pond. We made Yarmouth by about 1600hrs on Saturday (about 35 NM). ...and here we have been since because of weather conditions and small craft warnings in the area of Cape Sable where we are heading.

Smooth waters while crossing
St. Marys Bay, NS

Weather is supposed to turn better either this Thursday or Friday to be able to make the rest of the crossing to deliver Gryphon to it's new home in Chester, NS.

More later once we can get moving again.

Cheers,

Dave

Moon Dancer II on the Hook...so it begins..

May 31 was launch day. Weather was good, boat went in. Found a leaky ball valve on one of the thru hulls that will require a dry docking in St. Andrews to replace the valve.  Masts go in this weekend.  Should be good to go after that as the boat gets rigged and sails on. More later...
Dave & Wharfy (the cat)

"You can't buy Happiness, but you can buy a Boat...and that's pretty close." unknown

Just about in the water for another (short) season... Work is pretty much complete after a long cold winter and a wet spring that didn't allow for much varnishing or cosmetic work. Still having frost warnings and temperatures dropping to near 0 degrees C. Boat launch is this Saturday (2 days).  Work inside is pretty much done and Moon Dancer II is ready for the sailing season.  Hoping the weather is generally good as we are planning to cruise our favourite grounds around to the Mahone Bay area of Nova Scotia. If weather is good we are considering a run up to the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton Island.  ...We'll see what the summer brings. More later after the launch.

Cheers,
Dave & Wharfy
Moon Dancer II
St. Andrews, NB

"The roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors"
unknown