Isles of Shoals, 7/15/21, with shuttle

[Jim Snyder]

This is first in what Jeff Charrette and I hope will be a series of IOS trips with transport from Jack Farrell of https://www.seacoastmaritimecharters.com/ designed so that there's a full day available to explore the islands. Present for this trip: Jim Snyder, David Mercer, Beth Sangree, Jane Cobb, Dana Sigall, and John Harkey. Predicted conditions were morning fog lifting throughout the morning, very light winds and seas of 2-3'.

We launched from Isles of Shoals Steamship Company at 8 am. The fog was pretty thick with visibility under 1/4 mile but Jack's radar was on and showing vessels in the vicinity.

The trip takes about an hour and the river was really ripping towards low tide at 9:30. We got organized on the float at Star Island and launched directly into Gosport Harbor.

Because visibility was still low, we decided to make a close to shore trip around Star, Cedar, and Smuttynose, thinking the fog would lift soon.

Once on the ocean side the rocks were pretty active but noodling was possible here and there. Here's a typical Dave Mercer picture...

We had an incident to manage off the Star to Cedar causeway. I had tucked in behind a rock, watching smaller waves come in to the opening in front of me. After observing for a bit, I decided to proceed out. I paddled through some smaller waves directly into the break but they kept getting bigger. Just when I thought I was out, a big one loomed. Observers tell me it stood me up vertically, then I was getting surfed backwards fast. I kept hoping to get into a position where a brace might help but it was all too fast. Eventually I capsized and made an attempt to roll up but wasn't locked in well and pretty much just fell out. The rescue was a little tricky but Dave managed it well, with an assist from Beth. Sorry, no pictures. We continued on around and landed for lunch at Haley Cove on Smuttynose.

We met island volunteer Amy and her daughter and had an enjoyable lunch talking with her about island history.

After lunch visibility was improving so we crossed over to Appledore to circumnavigate. The contrast between calm places and chaotic ones was striking. It's so much easier to take pictures of calm!

Coming south off Appledore we decided to tag the bell buoy that guards the entrance to Gosport Harbor. The plan was to take a selfie of everyone at the buoy but by the time I got organized the current had taken me off a ways. By this time we were seeing some sun and blue sky.

We continued on to visit Lunging and White Islands but no landings.

Arriving back at Gosport, we had some time left so we headed back to Haley Cove for some rolling practice and goofing off. By now it had filled up and turned a beautiful green color in the sun. Pictures just don't do it justice.

Beth decided to swim the 1/4 mile back to the float.

Please add pictures! Jeff is planning to do this trip on a weekend this summer and I hope to do it again in the fall.

 

 

 

[Joseph Berkovitz]

That looks super fun! I hope to make it out in the fall, either by boat or by.... smaller boat!

[Bill H]

That looks like a great time, maybe I will make it out with you next time. 

I played in the surf during the day and evening.

Bill H

[David M]

This was a great trip!

One of the key objectives in taking the boat  was to allow time to explore and appreciate the islands.   It was more than met!   The conditions on the outside were engaging.    We paddled/noddled a little more than 9 nm.  A highlight for me was the leisurely lunch on  Smuttynose, within spitting distance of the scene of the Smuttynose murders,   where we were entertained and educated with stories from one of the Islands "stewards" who was staying in "Haley House".  On Amy's coaxing we  visited the graves of Spanish sailors from a shipwreck in 1801 and the Haley family graveyard.

I highly recommend the excursion if "Snyder Tours" offers it again!

[glad]

I am very interested.  Please keep me posted.  
karen

[Susan Rask]

Id like to go on the trip planned for August 14 if you have space.