Wed. Lunch paddle #10 7/29/2020

[Joseph Berkovitz]

July 29, 2020
Wed. Lunch Paddle
Route: Lanes Cove -> Annisquam Light -> Coffins Beach -> Castle Neck ->  Lanes Cove -> Halibut Point -> Lanes Cove
People: Joe Berkovitz, Sue Hriciga, Pat Donahue, Bob Levine. Al Coons, Amy Chiuchiolo, Jane Cobb, Joyce Carpenter, Dana Sigall, Liz Neumeier
GPS Track: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/308b0237d3c9c90a7f2348b4509f10d0/?layer=gaianoaarnc
Conditions: sunny w/ moderate humidity, light/variable wind -> SSE 8 kt, air 75 F, water 75 F, waves < 1 ft
Distance: 9.3 nm (pod 1), 12.6 nm (pod 2)
Tides (Annisquam): LT 7.10a @ 8.8 ft; HT 1.03p @ 0.5 ft
 

Up front note: much of Lanes Cove is now posted as "TEMPORARY - Residents only". However, there are still many unposted spots, in particular the boat ramp area on the N side of the cove is a state administered ramp and it is OK to park there. The little grassy lot near the head of the cove is also still unposted. But it looks like we all need to put in an additional effort to be welcome guests. Bob and I heard from someone who was there that this was a response to too much heavy weekend partying in the cove, but who knows.

Today's weather and sea was unusually calm as we were south of two weak, adjacent low pressure systems. Close to mirror like conditions as we launched from Lanes. For today's trip we decided to first venture over to the outflow of Essex Bay looking for whatever interesting things we might find there among the sandbars and wave/current opposition. There appeared to be almost no swell as we headed south along the rocks to Annisquam Light and crossed the channel. There was certainly an ebb emerging from the Annisquam, but no wave action. We could hear all the buoy bells clearly as there was almost no boat traffic and no wind.

From there we headed west along Coffins Beach. Along the way we saw some slender fast-moving fish darting under our boats; someone said they were stripers. Nearing the mouth of the Essex River, we began to see what amounted to a very small tiderace of rough water, a sort of overfall where the ebb was speeding up over a sandbar opposing the small waves in Ipswich Bay. This was around 11.10a, so the tide was at about 3 feet at this point. Further into the outflow there were occasional small breakers rearing up on a sandbar, enlarged by the ebb current. We managed to ride a few of these, knowing it would be the "biggest" thing we might encounter today although it would be hard to exactly call it surfing. We fished around for the shifting spots where these small adventures could be had, for about half an hour, and then decided to call lunch on a sandbar a fair distance off of Cranes Beach.

After lunch we determined to make an open water crossing and headed back towards Lanes via a direct route of about 3 nm. (Navigational notes: the blue water tower visible from W of Annisquam is the Pigeon Hill tank on the E side of Cape Ann. The bright white house visible some distance to the N of Annisquam Light is between Plum Cove Beach and Lanes Cove, and makes a great visual target.)

Along the way a modest south wind began to make an appearance; the sky showed some galleries of mares' tails as well as stratocumulus. An hour later (1.30p) we were back at Lanes, where half the folks peeled off to go home. Amy, Dana, Sue, Bob and I continued on up to Halibut Point and Folly Cove to see a bit of the ocean side environment. Rounding Halibut there were few waves, but the now SSE wind was gaining some energy and it was decidedly cool and breezy and extremely pleasant. Solid overcast was visible off to the east. It was a different world over here! We played in what energy was available in the low-tide ledges off of Halibut, returning to Lanes Cove about 3.10p.

Thanks to everyone who joined this trip!

Edited July 30, 2020 by Joseph Berkovitz
add navigational notes on crossing

[Amy Chiuchiolo]

Pictures!