Scituate, MA to Stellwagen Bank, to Isle of Shoals NH/ME

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

This morning, we departed with the group at 0700, but quickly headed off to do our own thing,, uh, aka Linda had to go see a whale!

We headed for Stellwagen Bank, a National Marine Sanctuary, and an area that whale watching boats from Cape Cod and Gloucester frequent.  An internet search showed me photos and stories of humpbacks that had been spotted on the bank the past two days.  It was certainly worth it to me to go spend a few hours looking.

I'm not sure how keen Ellen was on the whole idea of trudging offshore in the morning haze, but, she was as excited as I when we saw a whale or two.  They weren't the humpbacks I'd been hoping for, but they were still the size of the boat!  We saw either one or two individual whales, though only one was on the surface at a time.  They (it?) swam at an angle towards us, and crossed our stern.  Though we weren't able to get photos, we were excited to see them!

Due to the detour we had taken from the group, we wouldn't have gotten to where they were headed at Biddeford until 6pm, so we chose to head for the Isle of Shoals, located offshore about 5.5nm, on the New Hampshire/Maine line.

By the time we arrived, the fog had settled in, with about 1/2mi viz.  We came between White Island and Star Island, and between Lunging Island and the #4 can before turning into the Gosport Harbor.  

There were several moorings with no boats on them, and about 9 boats here before we arrived about 1510.  A few more arrived after us. We grabbed one with someone's name on it, with the understanding that we will move if the owner shows up.  Sounds good to me!

N42 58.758' W070 36.709'

Cuttyhunk, MA to Cape Cod Canal to Scituate, MA

Monday 20 July, 2015

Monday morning the fog had lifted, though it was a little hazy, and we started following the group to the north.

At some point, one of the boats lost an impeller, and shut down and anchored.  We anchored beside them, and launched the RIB to go give them a hand.  

That put us running a wee bit late to catch the best current at the Cape Cod Canal, though we still had 2kts or so in our favor pushing us through.  I would not want to buck the current in the Cape Cod Canal.

The canal is a beautiful place to pass through, with its Cape Cod style houses, and surroundings.  There were lots of people fishing along the rocky banks lining the dug canal.

When we exited the east end, we turned to the north, and went up to the harbor at Scituate.  Inside the harbor there, are two large mooring fields, with the moorings closer together than good sense would allow.  The moorings rent for $40/night, and I didn't see many empty moorings on a Monday night.  I guess you make hay while the sun shines, as they say, since the season is short here, and the transient boats are only here for a short while.

There is a launch service provided with the mooring, and everyone we met was extremely friendly and helpful.  Ellen caught a ride in with Mocha from the launch that directed us to the mooring.

One of the Nordic Tug group hosted the NT group, at least 4 boats worth.  It was a great time to get to know some of the folks better.  Everyone is so nice!

We caught the launch back to our boat (100' or so away, and then again to take both docks ashore for an evening walk.  The town is pretty, and the folks are friendly.