On Tuesday afternoon I stuck my nose out into the ocean hoping I'd find conditions I could live with en route to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, a 175 NM trek requiring 2 nights at sea for
Kerry Deare. After 2 hours of 26 to 28 knot winds with gusts into the thirties, it was clear this wasn't our day so we returned to harbor. Thus the entire process of securing gear, preparing for sea, heading out, bouncing a bit, returning to the wharf, resetting lines and fenders, and getting exhausted resulted only in turning the boat around 180 degrees at the wharf (photo left). Still life on board is one long learning process, so lets' talk about wharfing.
Cruising in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland means visiting harbors where fishing is the primary activity. Facilities for fishing vessels are designed for rough usage and extreme conditions so yachts must use care to avoid damage. The most important gear needed is fendering that can do the job. At the very least one needs the largest fenders that can be carried and stowed, and preferably more than two. In the photo at right we've set two 10x30 fenders behind an 8 foot fender board to lay alongside the rough wharf. Note that the wharf here in Lousibourg is not "rough" as these things go. We carry another 2 large fenders and often another board to meet worse conditions. The the photo also shows rubber protectors on the ends of the board to further protect the topsides.
In Louisbourg the tidal range is about 6 feet so
some compensation is necessary. This means keeping an eye on things through at least one tidal cycle, and adjusting lines and fenders to meet the extremes of the tidal rise and fall. The two primary rules we like to employ in a case like this are (1)
use lines as long as practical to minimize tidal effects (photo above left), and (2)
make all lines adjustable from the boat (top and bottom photos at right).
Finally never assume that your gear will be "just fine for now" when it comes to chafe. The insidious effects of chafe can be disastrous, and the forces against you are at work every minute of every day. There is
no substitute for taking measures ahead of time (photo at left).
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On Tuesday afternoon I stuck my nose out into the ocean hoping I'd find conditions I could live with en route to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, a 175 NM trek requiring 2 nights at sea for Kerry Deare. After 2 hours of 26 to 28 knot winds with gusts into the thirties, it was clear this wasn't our day so we returned to harbor. Thus the entire process of securing gear, preparing for sea, heading out, bouncing a bit, returning to the wharf, resetting lines and fenders, and getting exhausted resulted only in turning the boat around 180 degrees at the wharf (photo left). Still life on board is one long learning process, so lets' talk about wharfing.
Cruising in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland means visiting harbors where fishing is the primary activity. Facilities for fishing vessels are designed for rough usage and extreme conditions so yachts must use care to avoid damage. The most important gear needed is fendering that can do the job. At the very least one needs the largest fenders that can be carried and stowed, and preferably more than two. In the photo at right we've set two 10x30 fenders behind an 8 foot fender board to lay alongside the rough wharf. Note that the wharf here in Lousibourg is not "rough" as these things go. We carry another 2 large fenders and often another board to meet worse conditions. The the photo also shows rubber protectors on the ends of the board to further protect the topsides.
In Louisbourg the tidal range is about 6 feet so some compensation is necessary. This means keeping an eye on things through at least one tidal cycle, and adjusting lines and fenders to meet the extremes of the tidal rise and fall. The two primary rules we like to employ in a case like this are (1) use lines as long as practical to minimize tidal effects (photo above left), and (2) make all lines adjustable from the boat (top and bottom photos at right).
Finally never assume that your gear will be "just fine for now" when it comes to chafe. The insidious effects of chafe can be disastrous, and the forces against you are at work every minute of every day. There is no substitute for taking measures ahead of time (photo at left).
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