Publish Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Location: Gaspe, Quebec Province, Canada
Coordinates: 48° 49.686′ N 64° 28.555′ W
I’m not sure whether to laugh, cry, or just chalk it up to the adventures of boating. But really, two hurricanes in less than a week in a the Canadian Maritimes? What are the chances? Honestly when we planned to tackle the Down East Circle route, it never dawned on me that hurricanes might be a bigger issue than fog.
Obviously that shows my limited knowledge. In my defense, I would offer that even conservative insurance companies, when discussing hurricane season focus dates and requirements on areas south of Savannah, Georgia. Be that as it may, hurricanes do visit this area with some frequency. Just last year, Hurricane Kyle hit Nova Scotia as a Category 1 in September. A number of weakened hurricanes, turned tropical storms, pass the area each year. The last hurricane to make landfall prior to Kyle was Hurricane Juan in 2003.
So far, things are not looking good for this hurricane season in the Maritimes. Just a few days ago, Hurricane Bill passed over Nova Scotia as a Category 1; and now, Tropical Storm Danny (expected to be a hurricane by Friday) is heading right for New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia as well.
We had planned on being in Shediac, New Brunswick or Summerside, PEI this weekend, both of which are directly in the current predicted path of Danny. Of course, things change hour by hour with a hurricane, but we figure why take any chances. We are currently in Gaspe, Quebec, which is on the outside edge of current predictions. We’ll stay here a few days and watch the development. We wanted experience…we’re getting it. Dave and I agree that weather and mechanical issues are the two critical areas we must have knowledge in, and feel comfortable with as we contemplate our circumnavigation. Live and learn as they say.
Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who write us and let us know about impending weather conditions (and send us your good wishes). Also, our hats off to Chis Parker for his detailed weather analysis and the teams at NOAA and the Canadian Weather Office. The more information we have the better decisions we can make. FYI – it already blowing hard out there today, with gale warnings in effect…and this has nothing to do with the hurricane. Ah, my friend the wind. 🙂 Time to go and cook something….
Hi David
I often send you one liners
So !
Here is another one !
YOU CAN NOT TRUST A HURRICANE !
Hi folks love hearing your stories and adventures. Can’t wait till you get to Nova Scotia my wife is from Digby N.S . Don’t know if your going there So will be watching with interest .Safe journey T .M.
Kathryn,
I was talking to Ray Danet at Nordhavn and he says hi. I asked him if he had been following you and by coincidence he said, he had worked with you for years.
I called in reguards to the Nordhavn 56MS. I told him I had no expectation of trying to duplicate your voyage but just wanted to sail down thru the Exumas on down to the Grenadines across to Africa and the Canary Islands and then through the Med. However, the 56MS draws 7 feet which I think may be too much for the Bahamas.
Love hearing about your adventure, 2 hurricanes back to back on the same track. Can you believe.
the best, John
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