How bad are the currents and crossing the bay of Fundy

[Quadrille in JB]

In the next several weeks I’m traveling to Addison, Maine to help A friend become familiar with his new to him Albin Ballad 30 sailboat. It has a 20 hp Yanmar. I would like to set up a small trip from the Cutler Peninsula in Maine across to Long Island in Nova Scotia. Is this doable with the local currents in
this boat. Being a lifelong Florida and Mediterranean cruiser, this area is totally foreign to me. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks advance for your help,
Bill in JB

[deblen]

What community is your destination in Long Isl,N.S.?


Some Canada Customs info:https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-a-275944.html


Tidal current in mouth of Fundy. varies from 0-2.5 kts during the 12hr tide cycle from Hi-Lo-Hi,with max currents at 1/2 tide,generally speaking & current runs generally NE-SW-NE. You will be crossing this current.
If you stay SW of Grand Manan & Machias Seal Island,you will avoid major backsets & eddies.
Basically,in the relatively long time that your boat will take,at 6kts thru the water,the distance (crosstrack) caused by SE ebb tide will be offset by NW flood tide. In other words,a straight line track from Cutler to L.I. will have S curve(s) to either side if a straight line,but will closely even out.
However,when you are close to land,ledges,or shoal banks,things can be drastically different,& so can sea conditions.
Even light wind(<20kts locally) blowing against a running current,can cause uncomfortable conditions in that area.

Hope this helps some:
Cheers Len-Grand Manan

[Quadrille in JB]

My likely destination is grand Manan Island, not Long Island. I looked at the chart quickly and picked the wrong island name. I’m open to suggestions for one small community with a marina we could stop at for the night.
Thank you for your prompt reply

[Quadrille in JB]

Deblen,
After looking at your profile it appears I’m in contact with the right person for this question.

[deblen]

OK. If you are looking for an overnight shakedown cruise from Cutler,a circle trip around GMI would be a good choice. You could sail down the west side of GM,round SW Head & stay in Seal Cove.-I estimate 5-7 hrs sailing.Next day,you could reverse course back to Cutler,or Go east thru Cheneys Passage,navigable 2hrs before & after high tide,& then proceed N towards Swallowtail-North Head.
Or,you could do the reverse-go north of GM & down the east side to North Head harbour.
Have a look at NOAA chart 13392-it is all you will need. Most electronic charts are accurate here also.
Google & Google Earth show good views of GM.
I will dig out & post phone nbrs & harbour photos & post them here.
Cheers/Len Ingalls

[deblen]

No marinas on Grand Manan.
All fishing harbours,but they accomodate yachts.
Call the GM Harbour Authority for a berth,when you decide where you are going. Berth approx $30 Cdn. Moorings or anchoring Free.
Grand Manan Harbour Authority - Home


No fuel available for non-commercials at any dock. Local auto gas/diesel pumps mid-island about 6miles. Recommend you bring a spare jug or two.


Ask anybody for a drive if need be.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by deblen

OK. If you are looking for an overnight shakedown cruise from Cutler,a circle trip around GMI would be a good choice. You could sail down the west side of GM,round SW Head & stay in Seal Cove.-I estimate 5-7 hrs sailing.Next day,you could reverse course back to Cutler,or Go east thru Cheneys Passage,navigable 2hrs before & after high tide,& then proceed N towards Swallowtail-North Head.
Or,you could do the reverse-go north of GM & down the east side to North Head harbour.
Have a look at NOAA chart 13392-it is all you will need. Most electronic charts are accurate here also.
Google & Google Earth show good views of GM.
I will dig out & post phone nbrs & harbour photos & post them here.
Cheers/Len Ingalls

You will need chart 13394 also.


This is a very accurate wind & tide height app used by local comm. fishermen
https://www.windfinder.com/forecast/...nan_island_sar / L

[deblen]

Originally Posted by deblen

What community is your destination in Long Isl,N.S.?


Some Canada Customs info:https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...-a-275944.html


Tidal current in mouth of Fundy. varies from 0-2.5 kts during the 12hr tide cycle from Hi-Lo-Hi,with max currents at 1/2 tide,generally speaking & current runs generally NE-SW-NE. You will be crossing this current.
If you stay SW of Grand Manan & Machias Seal Island,you will avoid major backsets & eddies.
Basically,in the relatively long time that your boat will take,at 6kts thru the water,the distance (crosstrack) caused by SE ebb tide will be offset by NW flood tide. In other words,a straight line track from Cutler to L.I. will have S curve(s) to either side if a straight line,but will closely even out.
However,when you are close to land,ledges,or shoal banks,things can be drastically different,& so can sea conditions.
Even light wind(<20kts locally) blowing against a running current,can cause uncomfortable conditions in that area.

Hope this helps some:
Cheers Len-Grand Manan

Ignore the info about crossing to LI,N.S..You are now coming to GMI.
The course from Cutler to Southern Head is about due east,& is fairly clear of tide rips & ledges. Stay about 1/4 Nm off the island when you round S.Head. There is a buoyed rock(Bucks Rk/Black Rk) in the entrance to Seal Cove Sound. After that,sag to the middle of the sound(to clear salmon pens) & proceed to SC Harbour.
Set your clock ahead 1 hr-we are in ADT.


Note: 13392 & 94 Chart depths are in meters. 1 meter = 3ft or 1/2 a fathom.
Most other data is available in metric or Imp.- Kts.,Nm,,etc.but read carefully & confirm the system being used.

[deblen]

If you decide to go up the GM Channel,from Cutler around Long Eddy Pt. to North Head Harbour,it is clear of rocks & other fixed obstacles.
However,you will have to cross Long Eddy tide rip,which can be snotty if tide is running in or out. Ideally,you would arrive within an hour or so either side of High or Lo slack,when the current is getting to zero. Again,wind against this eddy can create some 3-4ft ,short interval chop.
If you had to cross in those conditions,it is best to continue NE a mile or so,then turn S & cross at a right angle.The worst of the rip is abt 3/4 NM wide.
You really need to accept that,in this area,you can save yourself much grief if you cooperate with the tides & current.
So,ideally,you would find out what time high water is at North Head.
Note:tide times within Fundy & GM Channel are all within 15min. of each other,so using a different station will have negligable bearing for Nav. purposes.
You take the North Head Harbour Hi tide time & plan to cross Long Eddy & round Long Eddy Pt AT THAT TIME.
You calculate the hours from Cutler to Long Eddy & you leave at the calculated time-even if it is before daylight.
You may have to motor sail in order to keep to schedule.
This schedule will have you leaving against the last of low ebb current @ Cutler,catching the best of the (faster) flood current near GMI,& have you crossing Long Eddy rip near Hi slack.
I'm guessing an 8hr trip?
If you don't work With the tidal current,you will end up with a 10+ hr,slow & possibly nasty trip .
Avoid leaving Cutler anywhere near Hi tide.

Once you round Long Eddy Pt/Northern Head,make a straight shot for Fish Head & Swallowtail. Stay 1/4 Nm off Fish Head-Swallowtail,due to backset current & weirs. Run from S-Tail to Net Pt.red bell & from bell to fisherman's wharf.

[deblen]

A great current weather report for N.Gulf of Me./Entrance to Fundy.
Machias Seal Isl. stands by on Ch VHF 67.


https://www.weatherlink.com/map/e4e5...4-539690bf420a

[Quadrille in JB]

Len,
Thanks so much for taking the time to impart all of this valuable and useful information. I'm really looking forward to the trip and I'll keep you posted of our progress.
thanks again,
Bill in JB

[deblen]

Tide Height tables & GM Channel Current Tables for Jul,Aug,Sep-2023
Tides.pdf

Current.pdf

Tide Table Notes.pdf


Taken today from: https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/l...1-41085061.pdf

[Quadrille in JB]

Thanks again Len for all of your useful information. It looks like we’ll have plenty of wind for sailing next week but hopefully not as much rain.
Thanks again,
Bill.