Monday, August 5, 2019

Aug 5 Musquash Anchorage to Wani Bay Anchorage (off 12 Mile Bay)


Aug 5

Anchor secured in the pocket around 9 AM and off we headed for our next anchorage a little over 20 miles away up 12 Mile Bay and into a protected cove called Wani Bay.  Another spectacular day on the water with clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 70’s.
Another beautiful morning for cruising

  As we came out of our anchorage on Musquash Channel   and started heading north on the small boat route we were followed by a 40’ Sillverton motoryacht and then another boat fell in behind them coming from further south on the main route.   The boat looked familiar and after viewing with the binoculars it was the distinctive catamaran of our friends Russ and Jax on Cat n Dogs who had anchored for the previous 3 nights at Beausoleil Island.  Texted back and forth and determined they too were headed for Wani Bay.   The scenery is spectacular with clear water, granite islands and windswept evergreen trees.  When we took our side trip up the St. Lawrence River, we headed into an area called the Thousand Islands and they actually counted a little over 1800 islands in total.  This area is called the 30,000 islands and while I’m not sure anyone has counted them all I would not doubt that number.   Many are small – just a granite nub sticking out of the water.  But because they are granite and unforgiving each must be given the same navigational consideration as a large island or run the risk of serious damage to hulls or running gear. 
Islands, Islands,  everywhere!

 In fact, with the water over 4’ above mean levels many islands usually visible are underwater or just showing on the surface making them even harder to spot.   We made it here after passing through a few tricky but well buoyed cuts.  O’Donnell Point cut was barely wide enough for 2 boats to pass alongside with a series of 90-degree turns thrown in for fun!!  Our anchorage is very nice with great protection all around from winds but again we were surprised at the number of boats already moored.  Dropped anchor for the day in a location I really wasn’t crazy about as it put our stern too close to a rock outcropping if we swung that direction. By late afternoon some of the holiday weekenders finally left and I was able to reposition us to a better spot.  Still a few too many boats here for my liking but we all seem to have enough room.
Our anchorage

 With the water being so clear I decided it was finally time to just go ahead and jump in to do an inspection of the boat zincs, check the running gear and skeg, and clean along the waterline.  That initial dive in was a bit cool but refreshing!!  Everything down below was easily visible and in good order.  Not even a ding on the prop.....yet.  Let's hope it stays that way. 
Taking the plunge !!  

They say the water is about 10 degrees cooler in the north channel so figured this was a good opportunity to get wet.   No sunset pictures tonight.  We’re getting some cloud cover moving in and rain projected for overnight and into tomorrow.
Journey for Aug 5

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