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2200 Friday, September 8, 2023
Bob and I slept a little later this morning. We are still at the Yacht Squadron dock, not far from the stately old clubhouse, pictured above. By 0800 we were both busy with small tasks on the boat. At 0915 we left to pick up a rental car for the day and grab a breakfast of berry muffins and cinnamon buns. We had several tasks to complete in preparation for the passage across the Gulf of Maine to Massachusetts.
Our first stop was The Binnacle, a local chandlery, to purchase rope to make a new furling line for the jib, requiring about 75 feet of line. Then to a grocery store to fill out our food supplies for the remainder of the voyage. Then back to the boat to stow food and then make up and rig the new jib furling line. The jib work required taking part of the furling drum apart as well as moving and adjusting some of the fairlead blocks that may uave led to the chafe and parting of the line. The sail is all squared away and ready to go to sea.
We definitely needed to get more diesel fuel. The plan was to leave here with 34 gallons in the tank and another 20 gallons in yellow fuel jugs. However, by early afternoon, a 122-foot sloop had taken up the entire length of the fuel dock. She was the Action, long, black sleek and classic with a home port of Bloody Bay. She also needed over 1.000 litres of fuel and wanted to stay there while some of the crew went shopping and to get groceries. We enjoyed seeing the elegant boat; but, it would be about a three hour wait for us to get fuel.
Next on our agenda is one of the favorite luxuries of all distance small boat cruisers, a hot shower ashore! After both taking showers, we put on our best clothes (which isn't saying much) and headed into downtown Halifax to treat ourselves to a good dinner. It was a great evening for two brothers, talking of sailing, travel, childhood friends and other topics.
We are constantly on weather watch. Our plan is to get up early tomorrow and go 50 miles to Lunenburg; one of my favorite Nova Scotian ports. Then, Sunday morning, early, we would set sail for Manchester. Since leaving St. John's, I have been stalled by two bad storms. Now the challenge is to get across the Gulf of Maine to Manchester before hurricane Lee heads north. Lee is currently a strong Category 5 hurricane. Analysis suggests that the storm will not get north of southern Florida by Wednesday. We hope to make Manchester by then. But, hurricane Idalia made some unexpected moves. So, we are closely monitoring Lee. For now, all looks good with light winds forecast for our offshore leg home.
Like some other offshore sailors, I dabble in meteorology and use a variety of sources to incorporate weather into ocean sailing. I watch the National Hurricane Center, the Tropical Prediction Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's marine forecasts, SiriusXM' satellite marine weather, weather maps, weather radar, route optimization software that can predict Tazzarin's speed and performance under multiple scenarios and forecasts using some of the world's best supercomputer weather models and more. I also watch the sea and sky. All the models and forecasts are one thing, looking at waves, clouds, winds and what the shipboard barometer is doing are a reality check. Weather prediction remains one of the most elusive sciences. Winds and sea state are at the core of sailing. Anyway, you get the idea - I spend a lot of time investigating and analyzing weather information!
Our weather for the next several days does not appear to have any major threats. Onward we go...
Below is another photo of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron clubhouse. Also a view of the big sloop leaving the fuel dock, a shot of Bob at dinner, and, for your consideration, the forecast track of hurricane Lee over the next five days.
Bill
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