Summer in the Bay of Fundy in 2012 was awesome! This also gave me another perspective on what I actually wanted to accomplish during my time on Ananda.
When I set off on my cruise in 2010 from Goderich I was intending to work my way towards the Caribbean so I could spend time in warmer waters and climates – and escape a few Canadian winters.
One of life’s lessons that I learned many years ago is that the fantasy about some things is often much better than the actual reality. I was coming to realize that my cruising plans were fitting into that category as well – and I expect that many other sailors have encountered similar feelings.
My cruise in 2010 through the Great Lakes, down the St. Lawrence River and into Atlantic Canada is something that I will never forget for as long as I live. It was fun, awesome and I learned many things about myself and about Ananda – but it was also a lot of work. I was also spending much more money than I had anticipated and that was cutting into other types of travel and adventure plans that Catherine and I have for our retirement.
My summer in the Bay of Fundy in 2012 was way beyond what I had hoped for, with lots of great times and adventures while primarily being in one location the entire time. This reminded me that I did not have to be travelling great distances in order to get what I wanted out of sailing. In fact, I realized that I actually had more fun with Ananda and with family and friends when I was based in one location – rather than being on the move all the time. So, after much contemplation (and admittedly, with some small regrets) I decided to bring Ananda back to Goderich.
Once the decision to head “home” to Goderich had been made, I then had to figure out how to get there.
I first considered retracing my 2010 route – i.e. sailing from St. Andrews back around Nova Scotia, through the Northumberland Strait, up the St. Lawrence River, etc. – but that would take me at least 45 days.
Next I considered taking Ananda down the Atlantic coast to New York City, then up the Hudson River, into the Erie Canal system, etc. but that would involve the un-stepping and re-stepping of Ananda’s masts – and the trip would still take me about 30 – 45 days.
I finally settled on going home the fastest way possible – at about 50 knots per hour – with the help of my friend Dave Kopriva, owner of Bothwell Boat Works (yacht transfer services – http://www.bothwellboatworks.com/). When we bought Ananda in December, 2006 I had hired Dave to truck her up to Goderich from St. Michael’s, Maryland. That trip went without a hitch and the cost was very reasonable – so I decided to call upon Dave once again. This would get Ananda back in Goderich in about two days, and with a lot less wear and tear on the entire boat (and her captain).
If you are considering having your boat trucked from point to point in Canada or the USA, I encourage you to contact Dave. He hauls within Canada and the USA and from one country to another.
(NOTE: I do not receive any compensation for my comments about Bothwell Boat Works or for inserting the hyperlink to Bothwell Boat Works’ website. My sole motivation to do this is as a satisfied customer – Wally)