Traversing the St. John River

We sailed out between Indian Island and Ragged Point with the wind light and from the north west. There was plenty of opportunity to admire the high-end houses that cling to the steep sides and line the small coves of the rugged terrain.

Once around the final headland we moved out of the Kennebecasis River and into the St. John River. This area is known as Grand Bay and is a spectacular sight with a wide expanse of water due to both rivers being well over a mile wide when they join. To the south the start of the relatively narrow and gorge-like outlet of the St. John River can be viewed where the river angrily and noisily spills into the cold water of the Bay of Fundy through the Reversing Falls. However, rather than heading south we set a direct course across the St. John River to one of RKYC's neighbouring boat clubs Saint John Marina.

When we were about 100 yards from the marina a course was set south towards South Bay. At the entrance to the bay two giant pylons provide the height required for electricity cables to span the half-mile wide stretch of water. We followed these wires from west to east and to the south we could make out cars glinting in the bright sunshine in the car park by the beach at Sand Cove.

We tacked back across the St. John River, past the new houses being built on the Anchorage and back past Ragged Point to a smooth docking at RKYC.


Temperature: 25C
Wind: Light
Distance: 9 miles
Duration: 3 hours

Postscript

Later that day my crew and first mate eloped onto a larger sailing boat for a similar voyage across Grand Bay. I was very jealous because I couldn't help but notice them admiring its towering mast. Afterwards, they told me that they felt guilty for their transgression and asked my forgiveness.

A sailboat may forgive but never forgets!