Circumnavigating Kennebecasis Island

From space, Kingston Peninsula must look like a giant 20 mile long river monster, its head jutting south west and separating the St. John River from the Kennebecasis River. The morsel it appears to be about to capture in its formidable jaws is Kennebecasis Island.


From the river, Kennebecasis Island is a lot more significant than a mere morsel. Through the 19th century the island supported a small community of pioneering farmers, and even their children went to school on the island. Today the island is home to a cluster of summer cottages and their residents, who take advantage of the cable ferry that runs through the months when the river is free of ice. It was therefore an interesting and challenging choice that the first mate and crew made to sail around this island.

The wind was moderate and the sun was still high as we sailed directly off our moorings. The mainsail was raised first and it was a pretty smooth launch when compared with the slap-stick effort of the first voyage. We headed north past Goat Island at a steady pace directly towards the 400 yard wide channel where the cable ferry was busy transporting vehicles back and forth laden not only with their passengers, but with the food and drink that would allow them to celebrate Canada Day in a suitable fashion. 


In the narrow sheltered channel our speed dropped and as we passed the island's Keith Cove we had plenty of time to admire all the sailboats and motor cruisers moored up and decked out with their Canada Day bunting and flags. As we passed through Milkish Channel and headed west we could see a covered bridge on the peninsula. We tacked south west as the island narrows and the channel widened and there was less shelter from the wind. The size of the waves gradually increased.


By the time we left the channel both my bow and stern lines were trailing behind in the water and soon after the first crew's cap became the first casualty lost over board. The second casualty was the camera which succumbed to water damage. Spray from the waves' white caps was soaking the crew and first mate and it tickled my coamings as we sailed close hauled to clear the island's westerly headland. This, I remembered, was why I had dreamed of returning to the river.


Once we cleared the headland we set a quick course directly back to RKYC where the masts of the remaining sailboats at their berths could be seen on the horizon. As the sailing became easier, I could sense sighs of relief from the crew and first mate. I wanted to return to the waters off that headland, heel right over and hear my hull slam against the waves once again. 


I am sailed therefore I am.

Temperature: 25C
Wind: Moderate
Length of Voyage: 10 miles
Duration: 2.5 hours