Sailing Log - June 29/30, 2026

Havre-Aubert, QC to Port aux Basques, NL

Distance: 120nm

Time: 27 hrs

Motoring: 10hrs

Looking at the various weather models for the extended forecast, all which pointed to lots of motoring due to low wind speed, we decided to head to NFLD even if there was to be some motoring.

By 11am we were motoring out of our protected bay and heading towards NFLD. It didn't take long before we were engulfed in fog, which we remained off and on until a few miles from Port aux Basques.

Winds were steady at 10 knots and were just aft of beam and sometime at 120 degrees. We had full sails up and doing about 4 knots. Throughout the entire passage the winds would drop to down to 7 knots, we would furl in the headsail, bring in the boom and motorsail. Then the winds would pick up above 9 knots, the sails would come back out and engine would be turned off. This happened numerous times throughout the entire passage. We both got good at changing our sail wardrobe time and again.

As we approached NFLD, within cell service, we could hear what sounded like jets taking off from Cape Breton - it wasn't, it was thunder claps and lots of them. A quick scan of weather charts showed a long string of thunderclouds tracking north east along the northern tip of Cape Breton. Although we were quite far away from this system, we decided to hustle and get into port sooner rather than later. Sails put away and under engine power we made it to port within 2 hours, instead of the 5hrs (based on the SOG - speed over ground - we were doing at the time). We later found out that the ferry leaving Sydney to Port aux Basques was delayed by several hours because of the storm.

On our approach we called the harbor master to announce that we were 2 miles from port, which we read was required. They put in touch with the people responsible for the dock and were able to secure a berth. As we approached, several people appeared on the wharf and were all to eager to help out. Before we knew it, we were fully secured to the wharf with lines properly placed and correct length to account for tidal range.