Sunday dawned bright although there was a small craft wind warning
(winds greater than 20 knots). On this basis we decided to leave Tee
Harbour and have breakfast on route. We left at 08:30 with a destination
of Horshoe Cove (Edward Island). We started out with a full main and
working jib but quickly went to a double reef as the wind built from the
west. We were running dead down wind toward the Porphry Island light.
It was fun sailing but we had to pay attention. As we approached the
half way mark of our ten mile sail a fog bank rolled in obscuring the
shoreline. We used our GPS for 15 minute fixes as we were travelling
4.5 to 5.5 knots. Fortunately we were able to see the light and were able
to find the landmarks for the cove. The cove is protected by
Hardscrabble Island. Our plan was to round Hardscrabble to get out of
the swell and chop and start the motor. We did this and got the motor
started. Unfortunately, one of the jib sheets ran through the cam cleat
when I was lowering the jib. Of course this fouled the propeller on the
motor. My next instruction to my wife was to keep us sailing under the
reefed main and to hold my ankles while I leaned over the transom and
untangled the sheet from the propellor. Fortunately, things weren't too
bad and I did not have to remove the motor from the transom. Imagine all
this with lots of wind and waves. A little nerve wracking.
Horshoe Cove is a beautiful little sheltered harbour. We motored in and
found a large trawler already tied to shore in the most protected part of
the harbour. We decided to tie up on the far side of this ship with a stern
anchor out. This was the only time which we actually talked to the
owner as I'm sure he thought that our struggles with our boat would
result in scratches on his. Otherwise they never left their craft for the
whole 20 hours we were moored beside them.
Tomorrow we head for Root Bay near the fabled Loon Harbour.
Ray
P-19 #953 "Water Wings"
Thunder Bay, Lake Superior