A Good Day Sailing

On Friday, August 2, 2013, before 0930, three boats went out for a day sailing. Peter (another one) and Jim were aboard a Bayfield 25, Steve was solo on his Challenger 24, and I was single-handing Serenity.

Departing Lewisporte

Jim is fairly new to sailing, and restored a 1960s era Alberg 22 after he semi-retired. This is his first season using it. Peter has been sailing about 70 years, and taught most of the sailors at our marina, as well as many in Ontario during the years he lived there. This was an informal training session for Jim. Steve has not been sailing all that long either, but he gets out on his boat fairly often, usually alone, so he is a competent sailor.

Shelby Lynn and The Dog House

This was my first long trip aboard my PY23 since 2008, and I'd made a few changes since then. I was also towing my dinghy, and that was a new experience for her. Winds were light as we departed, but I managed 3+ kts for a while. This didn't last long, however, and we had to fire up our engines to keep us moving.

We had no set plans, just to follow the wind, and be home around dark. We considered going overnight, but the forecast was calling for showers on Saturday. That will have to wait for another time.

We were sailing in the Bay of Exploits, which is contained within Notre Dame Bay, on the NE coast of the island of Newfoundland. This is where I grew up boating. The waters are fairly sheltered, with many islands, and lots of safe harbours. The Lewisporte Yacht Club has about a dozen moorings scattered around, making it convenient to stop for a meal, or a night.

The water is deep too, and you can sail right up to some cliffs. There are a few hazards, but keeping an eye to the charts will keep you in safe waters.

Sailing by Shag Cliff Island

We stopped for lunch around 1300 at Western Harbour, South Samson Island. It is a very sheltered harbour, and so popular that the LYC has 4 moorings in there. We rafted up on one. There was already a 40' sailboat on another, and a large power boat came in just before we left and took the third. I forgot to get pictures while I was in there, but did just as we exited.

Motorsailing out of Western Harbour

From this point on the wind began to fill in from the east. We tacked our way through the tickle between North and South Samson, emerging on the other side to about 10 kts. Serenity peaked at about 5 kts, with the inflatable in tow, and I was pleased with that.

We had a good time sailing across the run to Intricate Harbour. This was my first time entering this cove, and it lived up to its name. There are rocks and small islands all the way in, so you have to snake your way around. No hidden surprises, however, so if you don't see it, you are probably ok. This is where we had supper.

Rafted up for supper

We could feel the wind picking up while we were on a friend's mooring, and looked forward to a good sail back home. Steve switched to a smaller sail there, and I should have reefed either my main or my jib at that time too, as it had become quite a bit rougher than we had experienced up to now.

Intricate Harbour

After exiting Intricate Harbour at around 1900, it was a fairly straight shot back home down the main shipping channel into Lewisporte, called Sloop Run. Winds were generally on the beam most of the way, at about 15 kts. There were lots of whitecaps, and a fairly big chop building with the 5+ NM fetch across to the nearest shore. There were no pictures from here on. Handling the conditions did not allow for such distractions.

I put up the main, and decided against using the full jib, so I ran up close to shore for some shelter, and put in the reef. It was an ugly jib, but it was smaller. I need to find a better way to reef it. The unused portion at the bottom was dancing around all the way in. At least the boat was balanced, heeled over no more than 15 degrees, and was often hitting 6 kts, towing and with the outboard still in the water. I saw over 7 kts on the GPSr at times, as we caught a wave to surf.

This is where I most enjoyed the trip. It was my first time in such conditions aboard my PY23, and I was pleased how she handled it. Being the smaller boat, I could not keep up with the other two, but we were comfortable, and making good time for us. About 1/3 of the way down the winds started to drop out, and my speed went from 6 to 5, so I let her drift while I rearranged the lines to switch back to the full jib. This was also a good time to lift the engine out. We gained our knot of speed back.

By the time we were halfway down the run, daylight was diminishing. This was part of our plan, as we wanted to give the new guys some experience sailing at night. I was well behind by now, so the Bayfield came back to check on me, and also to extend their time on the water. It wasn't long before I was being pushed around by waves I couldn't see, and following the lights which guide ships into the harbour.

Our route - clockwise

Then, like a switch turned off, the wind was gone. I had to drop the outboard back into the water and motor the rest of the way in, with the stars overhead. It was close to 2330 by the time I was secured to the dock, and after midnight before the boat was put away, and I was ready to head home. I could take some more days like that...