Sailing Log June 12, 2026

The freshest oysters I've ever had

Port Hawkesbury to Havre Boucher

Distance: 6nm

Time: 13:30- 14:45hrs

Motoring: 1:15hrs

After all the commotion going on the dock, it was time to leave and head for Havre Boucher. Today’s journey will take us through a lock.

Before leaving we called them on VHF 11 and got the particulars on approach and going through. They radioed back a few mins later asking if we were the same boat (both registered in Edmonton) that went sailing with his daughter in the Caribbean. It wasn't us,

The lock. Not as wide as we were expecting!

but certainly a fun exchange. We motored towards the lock and as we approached buoy C28, we called and they gave us the green light to come in. They advised that a fishing boat would be joining us and asked if we wanted them to go ahead of us or if we wanted to be ahead. Advised as we were slower, we would allow them to get ahead. They also asked if we wanted to shore up to the side on stay in the middle of the canal. That’s a first. We advised we would stay in the middle not knowing what to expect.

On our final approach, the swinging bridge began to open and we were in. The lock doors closed behind us and the ones in front of us opened. No water level change.

Keeping the boat centered in the lock was a bit trickier than anticipated with only 35’ on either side of the boat. Short blasts of the throttle in forward and reverse used the prop walk and prop wash to keep us centred.

Oysters straight from the boat

We quickly left the lock and 30 min later we were in Havre Boucher and seeking an area

to anchor. Found a spot and dropped anchor in only 15 ft of water. A first for us and a treat to only let out 140 feet of chain. Tied our new 3/4" snubber line with a camel hitch and let out a total of 145’. Will this new snubber work - time will tell. It was certainly easier to attach.

On another note, when we were approaching the lock, we practiced backing up while trying to keep going straight (adjusting for prop walk and prop wash) when we heard a strange chattering noise coming from the transmission. Now what?? So frustrating.

During our attitude adjustment (cocktails) a fishing boat was in the area and Christine flagged them down. They were farming oysters!!! We were wondering what the structures on the edges of the bay were. They swung by later and we bought 40 of them for $40 to share with friends and family this week.

The Cabot Oyster Farm. Only a few hundred feet away from where we anchored