Gryphon Has SOLD

Well, the two most exciting days in a boaters life are when (1) he buys his boat and (2) the day he sells his boat...and sold it is.  The interesting news is that it sold to my brother who is getting back into sailing after several years of being away.  This will mark the last entry into this blog and now to concentrate on the restoring of the Endeavour we purchased last season.

Cheers,  Good Luck Bro!

D&D

GRYPHON IS FOR SALE

Well, it was a bit unexpected...but the opportunity came up this past April to upgrade to a larger boat.  So...being a two boat owner is not a good thing.  So she is up for sale.  Ready to go and certainly has been an excellent sailing vessel.  This is going to be a boat that we miss.  A lot of memories made aboard her. 
This will be the last post on this blog as she is on the hard until someone finds her as attractive as we have over the last 9 years.

Fair Winds...

Covered & Tucked Away Until May 2011

Covered for the Winter in Bayside, NB

The Last posting until Spring...  The boat is covered and put away until early May.  Projects over the winter will include a few mechanical/electrical maintenance jobs and the regular routine of sanding & re-finishing some of the deck teak.  All else seemed to fair pretty well this past season.

Until then...

Dave & Danielle

"Wind is to us what money is to life on shore". -- Sterling Hayden

On The Hard for the Winter



Beating up the Passamaquoddy Bay



Well the season is officially ended.  A lot of good memories made.  The boat is on the hard at Bayside and the process of winterizing and covering begins.  After an excellent sailing season, it's now time to think about the projects to work on over the winter and spring.  ...only 6 months to launch!  I'll update from time to time the blog as work is done in the fall & winter months... To bed with her for now!

Fair winds to those lucky enough to be able to sail south or later in the season.

Dave & Danielle

"The only way to get a good crew is to marry one." -Eric Hiscock

Back in St. Andrews (A Week Ago)

Finback Whale surfacing off
Campobello Island

Lighthouse off Head Harbour,
Campobello Island, NB

Just getting around to finishing the blog from the trip.  It was a great sail back home from Yarmouth.  Lots of whales were sited between Brier Island, NS and Campobello Island, NB.  My sister came aboard for the rest of the trip home at North Head, Grand Manan.  A few Finbacks were seen on the trip out from Head Harbour, Campobello.  We dingied out to the Quoddy Head Light and enjoyed an hour of sea glass hunting on a beach. Some very interesting pieces were found that will be made into nice Sterling Silver Jewelry.  All in all the trip was a beautiful.  Good weather, Good Friends, and of course good food...

Cheers,

Dave & Danielle

Seals on the Ledges off White Horse Island

Outting to Cape Forchu Aboard Kauwela Ohana

Kauwela Ohana at Anchor in John's Cove

Yarmouth Lighstatioin at Cape Forchu

Yesterday was another beautiful day in Yarmouth.  We all boarded Kauwela Ohana and headed about a mile out of the harbour to John's Cove to enjoy a white sand beach and hike to the Yarmouth Lighthouse.  With 2 dingys in tow we proceded from the Yarmouth Town docks to the mouth of John's Cove and set the hook in about 25 feet of water, then dingy'ed in to the beach.  The only thing missing were the palm trees...Kristian, Conoer and Caden ran into the water...and promptly ran right out...so the water was a bit cold...  After that experience in the water, we hiked down the road to the lightstation where we hiked over some of the rocks...took a few pictures. We watched several vessels from the Herring fleet heading out to the banks off the coast for the night.  Upon getting back to the beach, the crew headed back out to Kauwela Ohana and Danielle and I walked toward the breakwater to be pcked up by Danielle's cousin, Angela, to have supper at Paul & Angelas' place just outside of Yarmouth ... what a meal!!!

Beached Dingys at John's Cove

Today is our last planned day in Yarmouth before heading back to Westport, Brier Island, and back to the home port of St. Andrews.  Weather is calling for a bit of change...we'll have to watch...

Cheers,

Dave and Danielle

On the Docks... Yarmouth

Mysterious Ways, Kauwela Ohana, Gryphon
& Zoom at the Yarmouth Town Docks

Weather has been really nice for Yarmouth...no fog as of yet.  Looks like the long range is calling for a bit the first of the week.  The Yarmouth Shark Fishing Scramble is finally over and we now have places back on the docks...  a bit smelly, actually the worst I've ever smelled at the docks... Could be blowing off the herring boats on the next dock over.  Today is a relax & enjoy day.  We are now looking at departing Yarmouth on Tuesday weather permitting.  Today will be a trip to the Beach (John's Cove) and visiting some relatives.  Last night was a little social on board Mysterious Ways...  Thanks to a friend back home (Mike C.) we celebrated with a bottle of Pussers.  We toasted you buddy!  Danielle's cousin has picked her up and they are making plans for us for supper.  Hoping to get a visit to Sweeney's Fishery Museum today or tomorrow.

More Later...

Dave and Danielle

At Anchor: Yarmouth Harbour

At anchor in Yarmouth Harbour

Part of the Shark Scramble Fleet

The evening on the hook in Yarmouth Harbour was just like a floating on a mill pond... not a stitch of wind all night... A beautiful sunrise...only the peaceful sound of a thousand gulls squawking on Doctor's Island not to far from where we sit.  No surprises on the boat from above...which is amazing.  Today is the weigh in for the annual Yarmouth Shark Scramble...  17 boats have been occupying the docks for the past few days.  From what I've heard they have caught mostly Blue Sharks some in and around the 10' range...  we will know today at 1300hrs who will have caught the trophy...  Department of Fisheries & Oceans will attend the weigh in for research purposes.  The sharks are then used for some sort of cancer research.  Today will be a day to relax and take in some of the local sites.  The ladies from the other boats are getting ready for an expedition to shore to boost the local economy.

Later,

Dave and Danielle

In Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Westport, Brier Island, NS

We made it to Yarmouth under beautiful skies and favaourable winds from the North East.  We are in the company of four other boats: Marty, Gretta & Vaughn on ZOOM : Kristian, Jocelyn, Conner, & Kaden on KAUWELA OHANA:  Carl & Mary Ellen on MYSTERIOUS WAYS.  The first part of our crossing saw winds from the south that were steady at 32 knots...gusting to 40.  We ran a small jib from Head Harbour, Campobello to North Head, Grand Manan.  After spending a night on the mooring in North Head, with the mooring ball banging off the hull all night, we decided that staying on the docks would be what we would be doing here after.  The third day we set sail from Grand Manan to Westport, Brier Island... This little island is one of our favourites to visit and re-provision.  A neat little community home to the first man to sail around the world alone...Joshua Slocum.  The trip across the Bay of Fundy was rather uneventful with very little wind...a motoring day. We spent two nights in Westport. 

Mysterious Ways & Kauwela Ohana off
Yarmouth, NS

Yesterday, 12-August, was another beautiful day with NE winds 10-15 knots.  We Jib sailed the whole day until reaching the mouth of the harbour.  Past the Forchu Light House, then my fathers homestead, Johns Cove, the Yarmouth Bar (not the local drinking hole) & finally to the Killam Brothers Wharf.  All boats arrived in port with Captains & Crews in good spirits. 

Today is a clean up the boat and reprovision day after a peaceful night on the dock.  Plans are to be here until Monday or Tuesday.  More later... 

Dave & Danielle

"S/Y Gryphon"

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the departure date for our 2 week trip over to Yarmouth.  Between Grand Babies & Weddings its been a busy summer so we have not ventured too far this sailing season.  We are in the company of three other boats that are making the passage for the first time.  Weather & Tides both look pretty good for the next little while.  Updates & Pictures to follow as we get internet access.

Fair Winds!!!

Dave & Danielle

Launched for the Season!

Seems like a long time happening, the spring was unusually warm and dry it felt like the boat should have been in the water a month ago.  The crane in happened at the Bayside Wharf just outside of St. Andrews, everything went smooth for all.  She's in, afloat, rigged and on her mooring in front of the town of St. Andrews.  Everything work as expected as we motored for an hour and a half down the St. Croix River in the company of her sister ship Zoom.  Let the sailing summer begin!

As Joshua Slocum once said: "To young men contemplating a voyage I'd say go." -Joshua Slocum

Spring Prep Work Underway

Spring prelaunch work is well under way...doesn't look like it from the outside, but the inside is taking shape well.  Launch date is set for 28th-May.  The hull needs to be cleaned & waxed and the bottom paint applied.  Everything else seems pretty much ready.  Next post will be on launch day.

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." -William Arthur Ward

Awaiting Spring -On the Hard

Well, there she sits. The winter has been slowly passing. February has brought some unusally warm weather. Daytime temperatures in the +1 to +5 C instead of the normal -20 to -30 temperatures that we see. I spent the 13th of February doing some measuring and poking around looking at the work to be done to get ready for the launch in May. The Halifax boat show runs this weekend and that signifies, for me, the beginning of the preseason boat work. Already have some of the varnishing of projects done and have started any of the jobs that can be done from home.

-Anxiously awaiting the sailing season...

"Houses are but badley built boats so firmly aground that you can not think of moving them..." by Arthur Ransom

Re-tracing the Route -Cruise Summary

The following chart excerpts show the track of the boat this past few weeks.
In summary:
August 15th: St. Andrews, NB to Head Harbour, Campobello Island, NB (Distance 16 NM)
August 16th: Head Harbour to North Head, Grand Manan Island, NB (Distance 18.7 NM)
August 17th: North Head to Sandy Cove, NS (St. Mary's Bay) (Distance 45.5 NM)
August 19th: Sandy Cove to Westport, Brier Island, NS (Distance 21.2 NM)
August 20th: Westport to Yarmouth, NS (Distance 34.5 NM)
August 26th: Yarmouth to Westport, Brier Island, NS (Distance 35.9 NM)
August 27th: Westport, NS to North Head, Grand Manan Island, NB (Distance 39.2 NM)
August 28th: North Head to St. Andrews, NB (Distance 28.0 NM)

Clip 1: from St. Andrews, NB to Grand Manan Island, NB area including Campobello Island, NB.

Clip 2: from Grand Manan, NB to St. Mary's Bay, NS.

Clip 3: St. Mary's Bay to Yarmouth, NS.

Back in St. Andrews -an update

On Thursday, August 27th, we had one of the most enjoyable sails across the Bay of Fundy. We left Brier Island at about 1130hrs on a low slack tide and proceeded out Grand Passage towards Grand Manan. We passed the Northwest Ledges & Moores Ledges and set the sails. We were almost dead in irons as we tried to point toward Grand Manan. After making two tacks the winds freshened and veered to the point that we were able to beat into the wind making on average 6 knots all the way to North Head Grand Manan. A beautiful day with great visibility. As the day progressed we started sighting whales. Blows off in the distance, some spy hopping, and most just surfacing and blowing then submerging. Truly remarkable. One can never get tired looking at these amazing creatures.

By 1900hrs we were on a mooring at North Head enjoying a lovely BBQ'd steak with all the fixings on the boat. The seas turned dead calm except for a general roll all night.

Friday, August 28th, we are off again at about 1100hrs headed for Letite Passage to make the slack tide into the Passamaquoddy Bay and onto St. Andrews. Winds were very calm and we had to use the Iron Jib for the most of the day. As we approached the Wolves, we started sighting the Right Whales again, one blew about 50 feet off the starboard beam running parallel to our course.

The last 2 weeks out have been an enjoyable time dispite the fog and ducking from storms. We are now down to the weekend cruises until the boat comes out of the water in mid October.

Cheers,

Dave & Danielle

In Westport, Brier Island

After a rather hasty decision to leave for Brier Island today. We set out in 20 knot winds and 6-8 foot seas for about 7 hours of motor sailing. Once rounding Trinity Ledge, the seas were pretty much from the stern. Didn't take any water down the back of my neck, but she was a rolly ride. The fog was so thick you could lean up against it over the side of the boat. I was warned about doing that as it has been noted to lift very quickly as well...and you could fall overboard (haha). Now we are looking for the window to get back across the Bay of Fundy before the next forcasted Hurricane (Danny) is supposed to bare down on Southern New Brunswick. This will be 2 in as many weeks. We may have to run through the night to get back in half descent weather.

Looking to be back on the mooring by Friday evening.

Later... D & D

"Ships are the nearest thing to dreams that hands have ever made." -Robert N. Rose

Departing on Wednesday

We've had a great stay in Yarmouth. We are still seeing a lot of fog in the evenings, the days for the last couple have been generally clear and warm. The weather is calling for SW winds on Wednesday and NW winds on Thursday and Friday...so we decided to leave on Wednesday for Brier Island and then make the run across the Bay of Fundy back to either Grand Manan or Campobello depending on the conditions. It has been a good stay here, Enhydra (Steve & Janice) from Fredericton, departed for Cape St. Mary's today...We may meet them on Friday on Brier Island. Not much else new...just shopping and wandering around the town.

Later...

Dave & Danielle

Hurricane Bill is coming...and left

It was an interesting last few days on the docks in Yarmouth. The docks were very sheltered from the hurricane winds (actually it was diminished to about 50-55 knots) -but still a good blow. A young boy kept coming down to the docks announcing that "Bill is coming..." for two days before the blow. I guess that would make no reason not to be prepared. We had basically stripped the boat to bare poles and removed the bimini, etc... Doubled all the lines, placed doubled fenders. I remained on the boat while Danielle took an invitation to remain ashore for the evening and day of the blow. The boat handled it fairly well, chafed a few lines, but no damage to speak of. T'was an experience. We had a chance to drive out to Cape Forchu to watch the surf pounding the shore. Seas were running at about 8 meters. By late afternoon, you'd never know that a hurricane past within 100 miles of shore. Sunny & Calm, a beautiful evening.

Plans now to depart Yarmouth and head back to St. Andrews by the weekend. More than likely to depart here either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the winds. -Still foggy.

We'll post again when back.

Dave & Danielle

Beautiful Sail to Yarmouth

We made Yarmouth....finally, after several attempts over the summer. Now that we are here we have to find shelter from Hurricane Bill. We have a mooring secured and will strip the boat if the winds are going to be over 60knots as forcasted at this point. Seas were very calm for most of the day today...we sailed have way and used the iron genoa for the last part. Yarmouth has always been a favourite layover and place to spend several days. We shall post more later... Attached is a picture of the Cape Forchu Light at the entrance to Yarmouth Sound. This is the house my father was born in.

'Til next time...

Dave & Danielle

Making Passage to Yarmouth

Saturday night we left our new home port of St. Andrews for a "take 2" on our journey to Yarmouth. Weather has greatly improved. We made our way to Campobello, then Grand Manan, Sandy Cove deep in St Marys Bay and today we find ourselves in Westport, Brier Island, NS. Up until today we were accompanied by first, 3 then, 2 other boats from the yacht club. We have had many adventures already including a whale that surfaced within 20 feet of our boat and was heading right for us! It was a bit scarey but very thrilling at the same time! Last evening we went to the home of Steven and Maryann who served us fresh haddock, grilled green beans, fresh out the garden potatoes and then blueberry pie. It was quite the feast! We did not go back to our boats with hungry bellies, I tell you that! We were able to sail for the most part except for today where the wind would not permit it as it insisted on blowing directly at us! I got to have my usual amusement ride on the bow, however. It's off to Yarmouth tomorrow and heaven's knows what will happen with "Hurricane Bill" on the loose in our region!

We'll post in a couple days.

Dave & Danielle