Sailing Log - May 18, 2026
Cub Basin to Halifax (Armdale)
Distance: 30.2mm
Time: 9:30 - 18hrs
We had a beautiful morning, sun was shining, wind was just picking up and PredictWind estimated we were in for an easy sail today. This had the making of a great day. The anchor came up with a little kelp and we decided to try hoisting the main again but this time with 2 reefs in. It seemed like the boat hunted the wind more. To much juice and not enough squeeze for this endeavor. Don’t think we will be doing that again.
Got out out the cove and pulled out our genoa. The lobster fisherman were out in full force. They were everywhere. We spotted one dead ahead of us working hard pulling up his traps. We didn’t think anything of it at first but when we got to where he was working, there were lobster traps everywhere and a bunch of floating lines. We tried to navigate around them but ended up getting caught up in one. We hoved to immediately and stopped the boat but the bouy followed us. Not good. We tried steering our way out from it and then our rudder jammed and lost steering. Tonmake matters worse, we were being blown towards shore, which was about 290 meters away. I quickly got on the VHF and called the lobster fisherman and advised we had gotten tangled up in one of his pots, had lost steerage, and could they come and help us. He was right over and we all tried to figure out where the line was caught up and how to unwrap it. Sea Fire was doing circles as the lobster trap itself was anchored to the sea bottom - at least we weren’t drifting towards shore anymore. After a going around in circles and both boats trying the snag the bouy line, it finally made itself free and we were free to go. No sooner had we started the boat and put it in forward gear, we had another lobster line creeping under our bow. In reverse we went and as we got away from that line another appeared and another and another. It felt like we were trapped. We called the fisherman again and advised we were not able to get out. The offered to tow us to safety. As they approached us we found a way out and motored hard to get away from it all.
Amongst all the talking and scurrying, Christine asked if they would be willing to sell us some lobster, they said absolutely! By the time we got out of our own lobster traps, we only had 1 thing on our mind, WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE. No lobster :sleepy_face: was had.
Our sail to Halifax was spectacular. We left 2 reefs in our main as we were told by a couple sailing Pantala that when ever they sail down wind or broad reach, the always reef the mainsail or put it away altogether and let the genoa do all the work. We had fairly good success and managed a respectable average of 6.5 knots in 15 knots of winds.
We made our way into Halifax via the northwest arm, and towards the Armdale Yatch club. As always, mooring balls dominated the scene. It took 4 attempts to finally set our anchor as we were either to close to shore, to close to a channel marker or the anchor didn’t set. 2 hours later, we were finally able to put the day behind us and have a proper attitude adjustment (cocktail).
What a day!
Christine keeping watch for lobster pots
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