Before moving to the Belleville area, I sailed out of Port Credit for ten years. An annual event was a week-long cruise on my Tanzer 22 "Brave and Crazy" with my Dad Tony and brother Camille. We sailed all around the Golden Horseshoe and into Hamilton harbour.
This summer marks my first time cruising since moving here in 2009, and first time since Tony passed away in December 2018. I was prepared to go solo, but Maxine Holland suggested I ask Andrea Campbell (s/v Moments Away) to buddy-boat with me. Sage advice, as you'll see.

Saturday July 20: Belleville to Picton

We departed BQYC on Sat July 20, heading for Picton. Winds were southwest, building to more than 20 knots as we headed down Long Reach. I flew the working jib, with a double reef in the main. My top speed on this leg was 6.9 knots, and I did wash the windows a few times! We anchored at Hallowell Mills Cove, just north of Picton. My BBQ wouldn't light -- fortunately, my alcohol stove cooks chicken just as well.

Sunday July 21: Picton to Prinyer's Cove

Sunday, prudence was the better part of valour, and we had a short sail to Prinyer's Cove. Winds were light, and I managed a few photos while passing the Glenora Ferry under sail.
My out-of-date PORTS book shows Prinyer's Cove as a great place to anchor. Not for many boats these days, as there are lots of moorings, which swing much less than a boat at anchor. I opted for a slip at the marina for the night. The next morning, Andrea's anchor was stuck. Or rather, the rode. With 100' out, it was not coming up at all. I rafted B+C to Moments Away, and together we sorted it. Letting out slack in the rode and then motoring in a large circle, we finally got the anchor up.

Monday July 22: Prinyer's Cove to Waupoos

Andrea had pre-arranged slips for us at Waupoos Marina the day before. We motored around the point, and encountered a large swell coming in from open water -- a very uncomfortable ride. I opted to head towards deeper water, and then idled the motor to see what the conditions were actually like.
Pleasantly surprised, I raised sail, and though my speed was lower, my comfort level was significantly higher! There are two entrances to Waupoos Bay. I had previously plotted a GPS course to the South entrance, and did not want to change my plan while entering an unfamiliar harbour. As I've heard in aeronautical circles: "plan your flight, fly your plan."
We went for a walk up the road from the marina, hoping to get some dinner at the local pub. Unfortunately, they cater to the lunchtime crowd, and were closed by the time we arrived around 7:00 pm.

Tuesday July 23: Waupoos

At the marina, we both made good use of the amenities while at the dock: showers, pumpout, and fuel. All things that are challenging at anchor on a small boat.
We opted for a daysail around Waupoos. I hove to several times, including to take this panorama:
A couple of selfies, underway:
Heading back into Waupoos after a few hours, our path was blocked by a helicopter, likely from CFB Trenton. They appeared to be performing rescue recovery practice right at the entrance to Waupoos Bay. Not knowing what exactly was going on (there had been no Securite notification on the VHF), I radioed Prescott Coast Guard to inquire if there was actually an emergency. They replied in the negative, and shortly afterwards, the helicopter departed.
Andrea and I both went for a swim in Waupoos Bay, while anchored out. This was when I had anchor issues. First try at setting the anchor, I pulled up a clump of weeds. Second try, an even bigger ball of weeds came up with the anchor. Not wanting to try a third time, I rafted to Moments Away, and arranged the lines and fenders. It was nice to visit my "boat buddy" at anchor, before retiring behind the companionway screen to keep away from the bugs after sunset.

Wednesday July 24: Waupoos to Glen Island

Our sail back was two days: Waupoos to Glen Island, and from there to Belleville. The first day started with light air, and we motor-sailed the first stretch, before rounding the point and heading back towards Prinyer's Cove. The wind freshened, and we both tacked our way up Adolphus Reach over the next few hours. I passed the Glenora Ferry under sail, keeping a sharp lookout on the ferry, and on my wristwatch, with the ferry operating on a 15-minute schedule. We anchored at Glen Island, literally around the corner from the ferry. Good holding in mud, a big improvement over Waupoos's weedy bottom.

Thursday July 25: Glen Island to Belleville

The forecast for our last day called for chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. We were up at 6am, and underway by 7. Very light northwest winds up Long Reach, pointing high to try and make Forester's Island on one tack (I did). Approaching the Skyway Bridge, we both opted to motor through the bridge and Telegraph Narrows, with the wind square on the nose. Neither of us wanted to do fifty tacks singlehanded through the Narrows. The wind backed to southwest, and we had a great sail home across Big Bay and the Bay of Quinte.
Sailing up Long Reach:
Approaching the Skyway Bridge under motor:
Back at the dock in Belleville:
I'm very glad I went, and glad to have a friend along as well. We both sailed our own boats, but were able to chat via two-way FRS radio, to discuss routing options, and to offer moral support. My wings feel a bit bigger than they did the week before.
© 2019 Melissa Goudeseune