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Boston Harbour


bob budd

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Anyone interested in going out to the Graves lighthouse from Deer Island on Saturday we plan to meet at 10AM. This trip will involve open water and potentially busy (though usually only a few boats now and then) channel crossings. The usual protocols.

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Phil, Kevin, et al

To visualize the trip it might help to look at http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13270.shtml. There are other ways to get charts, such as purchasing them at outfitters, and the Tyvek charts hold up to use and abuse. I hope this helps. All distances derived from Maptech chart #21 (why not follow along), which I hope I don't forget THIS TIME.

From Deer Island in the shadow of the "Tank" its about 3.5 nauts to Calf Island. This is a good place to stop and assess conditions one last time. Its also a place where some of the crew can choose to stay among the outer islands. There are two channel crossings, 8-9 and 10-9, pretty much on a line I'd put at about 140 degrees.

From Calf Island the lighthouse is clearly visible to the northeast at about two nauts. Its possible to land there, and we'll be seeing the tide on the low side, so its a convenient place to break for lunch, etc.

From the lighthouse we may cross about 1.5 nauts to Outer Brewster and take in the south side of the Brewsters, ending up at Boston light which is about 1.25 nauts from Outer Brewster. As the tide goes out there is a spit that extends west of Great Brewster that will most likely send us between Great and Middle Brewster where after about 1 naut we'll be at Calf Island again for the return.

Aside from sticking with the outer islands, the trip can be abbreviated by returning from the light to Calf or skipping Boston light. On the other hand, one might take a peak at the Shag Rocks without adding much to the trip to Boston light. I see something between twelve and sixteen nauts, depending on choices made.

I encourage car pooling as parking is available but people have ended up on the street (legally) in the past.

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As regards the launch, there are directions on the website to Winthrop boat ramp. You have to keep looking down the list. The short version is Rte 1 to Rte 1A to Rte 145 and right on Shirley Point Road. From these directions you continue past the ramp until you can go no further. There is one road at the boat ramp and you continue to the gates of the sewage treatment plant where there is a parking lot.

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Bob: I took a closer look at the chart along with your description and I'd like to join the trip. Just so you know what you're getting: I'd describe myself as a L3 paddler for pace/distance and L2 for skills. I've done paddles up to 12 NM. Forecast is for winds 7-10 kt and seas 2-3 feet, which I can handle. I may decide to stay among the outer islands rather than go for the light, if there are others who want to do that too.

Assuming that sounds OK with you, I'll see you Saturday.

Kevin Fredette

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One other question: are there any areas of unusually strong current, confused water etc ? I skipped a different trip earlier this summer because the description of Hull Gut scared me off. Anything similar to that on this trip?

Thanks,

Kevin

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One other question: are there any areas of unusually strong current, confused water etc ? ...Hull Gut...

Hull Gut is a narrow passage where lots of water if flowing depending on the tide. It also is a narrow place for large boats to pass through who don't (and shouldn't) necessarily look out for small and more maneuverable boats such as kayaks. There isn't something of this magnitude on the paths that have been described.

That's not to say that the harbour is implicitly safe. In light conditions with minimal traffic the trip is not a big deal. The plan allows us to decide how far out to venture.

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Hi Bob-

Lorrie and I were all set for doing this trip, but I feel like I've got the beginning of a cold coming on (sore throat, drippy nose). So unless we're at the put-in on Saturday, you all should go have fun with out us.

Phil

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Bob: I took a closer look at the chart along with your description and I'd like to join the trip. Just so you know what you're getting: I'd describe myself as a L3 paddler for pace/distance and L2 for skills. I've done paddles up to 12 NM. Forecast is for winds 7-10 kt and seas 2-3 feet, which I can handle. I may decide to stay among the outer islands rather than go for the light, if there are others who want to do that too.

Assuming that sounds OK with you, I'll see you Saturday.

Kevin Fredette

Kevin,

As of Friday morning, forecast is:

W WINDS AROUND 5 KT...BECOMING N AROUND 5 KT AROUND NOON...

THEN BECOMING SE LATE. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.

Plus, pushing 80 degrees . . .

It should be a big bathtub . . . with islands . . . so, except for the open water aspect, just about anybody ought to be able to handle it . . . :)

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Switching to 9AM meeting at Deer Island.

Still 9AM? Will ANY leg of this trip require sitting for more than 2 hrs? I need to walk around to clear pretty significant psiatica periodically. Even walking for two minutes helps considerably. Thanks. Ern

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