Q. I have been asked if there are meetings to be scheduled prior to departure on 8/15/2024. There should be AT LEAST one zoom meeting plus a pre-departure gathering in Boothbay to go over things. Your questions regarding the trip as well as suggestions as to a date for zooming will be appreciated and considered. I continue to encourage folks to use this FORUM to Q & A in the interim. I am always happy to respond promptly and individually; however sharing information (Q & A) might be more efficient if done here at least in part. Other members may want to comment, add to or challenge my answers! Cheryl Barr - wrote two cruising guides on Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, will be doing a zoom seminar this winter - to be scheduled. David Nutt, circumnavigator - ditto. They can also answer questions.
Q. Is 100 feet of chain and 100 feet of 3 strand enough rode? No. I presently have 180 feet of chain and 20 feet of 3 strand on an oversized 55 pound Rocna for my Oyster 41 that has a beam of 13 feet 10 inches, weight exceeding 17,500 pounds,an 8 foot lead fin keel and very low freeboard. I plan on asking my rigger that question; but, for this trip where depths could be greater in Newfoundland anchorages, I am thinking about replacing the 20 feet of 3 strand with 120 feet (maybe more) of nylon briat (stronger, longer and less bulky). That will give me a ratio of 5 to 1 in depths of 60 feet. They say in really rough conditions, 6 to 1 ratio is a good rule. My chainlocker castles with what I have now. So, I think you should consider the same: in your case, 100 feet of your existing chain and 200 feet of nylon for a total of 300 feet. Size up one or two levels on the primary anchor. Rocna is a good one. Chapman's book on piloting has tables for all the above with boat lengths. I do not have your boat info which effects the calculations. Carry a second anchor with rode ready to deploy. My secondary anchor is on the stern rail. Carry some chafing gear for that nylon rode and for docklines. I had to also use 4 heavy metal absorbtion springs in the Mediterranean when med moored - probably not necessary here. I am not going to install a swivel on the anchor rode. Make sure your snubber is strong... though you will be beyond your chain and on nylon rode after approximately 20 to 25 feet of water depth probably. For the return from Newfoundland with those overnight legs, you should remove your anchor from the bow especially if heavy seas are forecast. If it detachs on the bow, disaster! Approaching landfall, always prep your anchor back on the bow in the event of engine loss or other issues.
A heater is important but not critical in my opinion on this trip for comfort - though many if not most boats lack a heater. The good ones - (Esbar diesel, forced hot air, all cabins and heads)- are expensive and folks do not sail that far north. I used to have a wood/coal burning stove mounted on the wall in main salon - good enough! But that is hole through your deck for the smokestack. For those who do this trip, I think they will want to return to the Canadian Maritimes many more times.
Are there crew stops along the way and where? Yes. Many in Nova Scotia. Precious few in Newfoundland. I have 2 crew joining me and my wife up to Shelburne (cab to airport); 1 crew replacing those 2 crew to Halifax (Inner Sambro Harbor has transpo to Halifax); 1 crew replacing that fellow from Inner Sambro Harbor or Halifax to Baddeck. In addition, all those towns along the way have road access and therefore are viable crew points: Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Chester, Liscomb. Newfoundland: Port aux Basques (ferry or car), Rose Blanche (near The Basin and Harbour Le Cou and likely to be substituted into the itinerary), Francois (local ferry only), Fortune (ferry to St Pierre), St Pierre (airport) and all 4 indicated stops on the way home from St Pierre (Louisbourg, Halifax, Shelburne and Boothbay. A review of the cruising guide will have this information. I will have 2 or 3 crew (depending on whether Marcia stays onboard for the return) fly into St Pierre to help sail home. I have not decided if I want crew for the Newfoundland trip prior to St Pierre. Club members should consider this FORUM to find crew - find boats in addition to other avenues set forth in my seminar. I may be able to help. Schmii