Publish Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Location: Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Coordinates: 46° 23.304′ N 63° 47.168′ W
We did a 27-hour passage from Gaspe, Quebec to Summerside on Prince Edward Island yesterday and today (~180 nautical miles). We had gotten a little behind schedule waiting for Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny, so we decided to make up a little time and get to PEI as quickly as possible. We are sorry to miss some of the New Brunswick ports that we had planned to visit, but doing this passage directly to PEI puts us back on schedule.
Although “the storm formerly known as TS Danny” had cleared the area on Sunday, we found the Gulf of St. Lawrence to still be quite stirred up on Monday afternoon and evening. The weather report and GRIB data we got indicated that it would be pretty mild, but it was anything but. We slogged through 6-8 foot seas most of the afternoon, and then consistently had 3-5 foot seas overnight. It made for a very long night, and nobody got much sleep. Yuck!
We heard two boats in distress during the night. One boat was taking on water, and was trying to limp into port, which they were able to do before assistance could reach them. The other boat was disabled (no engine, no electrical), and the Canadian Coast Guard towed them into Shippagan, New Brunswick. I always say a little prayer to the gods when I hear of another boat in distress — both for their safe outcome, and for us to avoid their fate. Three@Sea was a champ, and she handled the seas and the passage without a hiccup (certainly with more comfort than her crew).
We arrived in Summerside, PEI this afternoon to beautiful weather. We walked around town, and then decided to buy some local lobsters and mussels to prepare back at the boat for dinner. We just opened a nice Pinot Grigio, and Kathryn and Ayla are now busily doing their culinary magic with the seafood. We’ve often enjoyed PEI mussels at restaurants in Boulder and San Francisco, so it will be really fun to have them straight from the source.
After dinner, I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
Glad the crew and boat made the passage safe and sound. I had seen the sea conditions and had some mild concern. We RV’d the area you are now visiting and you will love it and the people. By the way we have been following you travels after meeting you in Little Current.
Glad to hear that you finally were able to leave Gaspe. The trip sounds like fun for a few hours and then you want to turn the waves off. I have been checking the map every day to see if you have moved. PEI was one of our favorite stops when RVing the area many years ago. You have other special stops in that area. We want to go back soon. It is on my list.
Let us know if you anchor in the Bay of Fundy. I always wanted to know what happens to a boat during a fifty foot tide. Exactly how much scope would you put out for that one? I know you can surf under one of the bridges during the ebb and flood. The water is a bit brown though.
What has the outside temp been ?
I spoke with you from the dock @ Charlottetown PEI yesterday. I’m the guy from Vancouver BC. Shame you are not going to get to the West Coast. Anyways, I think that you & your family are an extraordinay three for embarking on this journey. I travel back to Vancouver this afternoon and wish you three all the best. Can’t wait to tell my daugher (10) & son (9) about your trip. Godspeed…
To bad sans souci bar doesn,t serve lobster and mussels.
joyce
I love what you and your family are doing. It is amazing and absolutley riviting to read or watch. I love Ayla’s “From the pilot house” show on youtube and am preparing to purchase my first Nordhavn so that I may join the cruising life too. As well, I too, lived in Boulder and just recently moved after 18 years.
I am looking forward to reading the posts from “three@sea” and watching from the pilot house. Until I meet you at sea may the wind be at your back
Vickie