New Ports

We've had a couple of boisterous sails since leaving friends and family in Hopewell Bay near Pointe au Baril on the east coast of Georgian Bay yesterday.

Yesterday we sailed from Hopewell Bay to Tobermory, west southwest across Georgian Bay.  Winds were from the northeast at 15 to 20 knots, right on our stern.  We tucked in a reef as we raised the main in sheltered waters before leaving Pointe au Baril and while we started with the jib out, it was blanketed by the main so we eventually rolled it in. In spite of only having a single reefed main up we still averaged 6 knots across the Bay. Waves were probably a metre and very confused as we approached Tobermory.  Just as we were approaching Little Tub Harbour the Chi Cheemaun, a passenger/ vehicle ferry 
poked her nose out of the harbour.

Not being sure how maneuverable she is I called the captain on the VHF radio to confirm we could sail across his bow, to which he agreed. Once in the harbour we took our assigned slip. Hot showers and local whitefish, fries and beer for dinner rounded out a long day.  

0530 the alarm went off this morning (as well as yesterday!)  We were off the dock by 0630. Environment Canada had forecast 15 knots out of the east, which we thought would make for a pleasant sail to Kincardine, unfortunately we never saw less than 20, and up to 25 knots until it died all together around 1430 this afternoon. Waves were 1 to 2 metres. I  learned that Trekker doesn't like a lot of heel as she was quite a handful with the jib and single reefed main. When Karen convinced me to put in a 2nd reef she sat up and became much more comfortable and manageable. After a couple of downpours we arrived at Kincardine and were helped into our slip by the very welcoming staff at the Kincardine Marina. Hot showers and an incredible dinner at The Harbour Street Brasserie would have been a perfect finish to another long day, but as we left the Brasserie we heard the Phantom Piper pĺaying his bagpipes atop the lighthouse.

Apparently this tradition commemorates the piping into the harbour, in 1856, of Donald Sinclair and his family, during foul weather.

Tomorrow we plan a short hop down the coast to Goderich.