Chandler, Quebec to Pointe Sapin New Brunswick
This is a 110 nm crossing of the Baie de Chaleurs and Gulf of St. Lawrence. As the weather had turned unsettled we were a little nervous about this leg and wished we had an extra person to help. Waiting in Chandler for the weather window, we talked with many local sailors about the desirable weather conditions and timing of the voyage, to arrive at Escominac NB, in the middle of the day. This allowed for variance in speed. Best advise was west to Northwest 15 knots. The marine forecast was west facing to northwest 15 knots with gust to 20. Waiting around all day, trying to rest and prepare for the 6 pm departure, in calm and rainy conditions, was difficult. By 5:30pm we left the dock, in a very light east breeze and clear skies, hoping it would not build from this direction, we motored for two hours. Just before dark the wind filled in nicely from the west and MODAKI was making good time under jib alone. As the evening progressed the wind got stronger and had a bit of south in it. There was a beautiful sunset on the water. Rounding Miscou Island, New Brunswick, there was a city of lights ahead of us. It turned out to be the herring fishing boats with a limited area to operate in. Earlier on the VHF we got this information, and Joe plotted it on the chart and we plotted our course to stay inside of them, even though we would be in shallower waters. We turned down between them and the mainland. Around 11pm, the herring boats seemed a bit too close to us, little did we know they were leaving the fishing grounds and heading back to harbour … as we continued to sail thru this maze, we had quite a few search lights shone upon us. A little nerve wracking ……. During the night the wind continued to build, reaching 20 - 25 knots, with 6 ft. - 8 ft. seas. Close hauled, beating into these seas, resulting in great volumes of water rolling over the decks. Auto pilot could not handle these conditions which meant Yvonne and I hand steered for 16 hours, taking turns trying to nap (not very successfully) in the cockpit. Both of us in survival suits and harnessed in. Arriving in Escominac, NB about 9:30 am we found the entrance too shallow and rough to proceed in. We tried to head 10 miles towards Miramichi Bay but with a 3 knot current and winds against us progress was slow.
Decision time!!!! We headed MODAKI, back south into the gulf, thinking we might have another 8 hours to the next "safe waters" (local talk), harbour. Looking at the chart we noticed a small fishing port 12 miles away, that a sailor in Chandler had circled.
Pointe-Sapin is a fishing port. This time of year they are fishing for lobster (lucky Yvonne). The bay was full of lobster pots and boats, it took careful navigation to weave our way thru them. ***** Note: Pointe -Sapin, has 3 Herring boats at dock, 78 Lobster boats and one sailboat MODAKI ****
We arrived at 1:30 pm (2:30 New Brunswick time), as we crossed the time zone, very tired and were met by friendly and helpful fishermen. The night time security officer, said they usually get 10 sailboats a year, but we were the first this year). $15.00 night including hydro. Some of the fishing boats had not gone out today because it was too rough. I had a sleep and Yvonne went investigating for a few hours. MODAKI handled the seas very well, but everything is coated in salt, eye glasses too. Today we are going to hang out, straighten up and throughly wash the boat. Then get a lobster when the fishermen come back in.
I guess thats the ups and downs of a few days on the water. 20 hours and 110 nm
p.s. water depth at low tide is just under 5 ft. so our keel gently rest in the sand a couple of times a day. Good thing the keel is deeper than the rudder.
… the only salt water that entered MODAKI on this passage was thru the anchor chain hole, a 1/2 pail in bilge, got sponged out.
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