Wintering Labrador / Newfoundland

[Que-Sera]

Hi everyone!

I'm a new member of the forums even if i already reed a lot of stuff and get a lot of informations from this site for several years.

After cruising in the far north of Europe (Norway / Svalbard / Greenland), i'm now looking for reaching the north of America.

I'm sailing 2 months each year and wintering the boat the other 10 months, on land (dry dock).

So, i'm now looking for the better shelter for the next leg. The best choice for me, coming from south Greenland will be somewhere in Labrador or in the north of Newfoundland. The only place i found for now is St John, which is too far south.

Do you have some experience and some places to recommend ?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Julien

[tkeithlu]

Welcome to the forum, Julien. I try to stay below 35 degrees North, so i can't help you on that one.

[Mike OReilly]

Check out Lewisporte. It's in Notre Dame Bay, and plays host to quite a few international yachts as they pass through.

https://lewisporteyachtclub.com/

My boat is currently there.

[Que-Sera]

Thank you very much ! i prefered a more north place but it seems to be the better one with the Gander airport.

Thanks

Jul

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Julien.

[hpeer]

Lewisporte is by far your best choice.

There are some marine services there.

How heavy is your boat? And draft?

Not a big lift but they also have a trailor.

If too big there are other options.

[Que-Sera]

The boat weight is 22 tons (full charged, last measurement made on previous travel lift) and draft 1,10 meter with the drift up. We can just put the boat on land without any cradle, very useful!

Thanks for your help and warm welcome, i'm now entering in the america sailing world ;-)

[hpeer]

We had a Metalu 50 out there a few years ago. It was pulled on the trailer. So my guess is you would be fine.

But call Lewsporte and ask for the Yard Manager, Brian, just to be sure.

You may want to remind him that they had a sister ship pulled a few years ago. It was a Metalu 50 that had something like a 6’ extension. She had over wintered on a beach in the Arctic and was continuing on to Scandiavia. I can’t recall the vessels name, the owner had 2 arctic charter boats, the Metalu was the smaller.

I relay this info so you can remind Brian that he pulled a similar boat.

There are other commercial yards that can pull your boat, such as Duntara. And Sandy Weld (writes the cruising guide) has a big boat he hauls at a commercial yard. But you will be far better off and happier in Lewisporte. There is a small chanderly next to the entrance which can order most things for quick (Newfoundland quick!) delivery.

My email is “public at hpeer dot com”

Hope to see you there.

Contact info below

https://lewisporte.ca/marina/

https://cruisingclub.org/book/labguide

[Kalinka1]

The Only place in Labrador that might haul you out is Cartwright. Don't know if they still have a Lift though. Otherwise it's Lewisport. Maybe St.Anthony but that would be a crane.

[Que-Sera]

A great thanks to you ! i'll contact Brian,

Originally Posted by hpeer

We had a Metalu 50 out there a few years ago. It was pulled on the trailer. So my guess is you would be fine.

But call Lewsporte and ask for the Yard Manager, Brian, just to be sure.

You may want to remind him that they had a sister ship pulled a few years ago. It was a Metalu 50 that had something like a 6’ extension. She had over wintered on a beach in the Arctic and was continuing on to Scandiavia. I can’t recall the vessels name, the owner had 2 arctic charter boats, the Metalu was the smaller.

I relay this info so you can remind Brian that he pulled a similar boat.

There are other commercial yards that can pull your boat, such as Duntara. And Sandy Weld (writes the cruising guide) has a big boat he hauls at a commercial yard. But you will be far better off and happier in Lewisporte. There is a small chanderly next to the entrance which can order most things for quick (Newfoundland quick!) delivery.

My email is “public at hpeer dot com”

Hope to see you there.

Contact info below

https://lewisporte.ca/marina/

https://cruisingclub.org/book/labguide

[Que-Sera]

Hi and thanks,

Good to know that maybe in Cartwright it could be possible if needed, i'll have to check if a Lift is available.

Originally Posted by Kalinka1

The Only place in Labrador that might haul you out is Cartwright. Don't know if they still have a Lift though. Otherwise it's Lewisport. Maybe St.Anthony but that would be a crane.

[NSboatman]

There is a good commercial yard on the NW side of the great northern penninsula in a village named Port Aux Choix. I drove thru there in 2019 and had a good walk around the yard. 300+ ton travel lift, huge yard space, good shelter and repair facilities on site. There were 3 or 4 large (60’ +) yachts hauled, and a few smaller ones as well, so they do yacht work. There were also large fishing vessels hauled and undergoing repairs (clearly their main activity). I believe the company was named North Atlantic Marine Supplies and Services.

I made a note of it because it was in a great location for staging a run up the coast of Labrador once the ice clears.

Give ‘em a call- I’m sure they’d be happy to talk.

[NSboatman]

Now that I think of it, there was another yard up in the same area, but on the opposite side (the Eastern side, just south of St Anthony) of the Northern Peninsula as well. A tiny fishing town at the end of the road called Englee- lovely place. Very protected but small harbour; and decent but tightly packed commercial shipyard. A quick google reminds me that it is called the Englee Marine Service Center. They too had a large travel lift and good looking service abilities.

Lots of options really! I would agree however that the most yachty friendly and yacht-focused yard is Lewisporte. But- this is Newfoundland! Everywhere is friendly!

…just don’t go there looking for haute cuisine… [emoji12]

[mikereed100]

Welcome Julien! Sounds like you have sailed to some interesting places. I don't suppose you have a blog?

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by NSboatman

There is a good commercial yard on the NW side of the great northern penninsula in a village named Port Aux Choix. I drove thru there in 2019 and had a good walk around the yard. 300+ ton travel lift, huge yard space, good shelter and repair facilities on site. There were 3 or 4 large (60’ +) yachts hauled, and a few smaller ones as well, so they do yacht work. There were also large fishing vessels hauled and undergoing repairs (clearly their main activity). I believe the company was named North Atlantic Marine Supplies and Services.

I made a note of it because it was in a great location for staging a run up the coast of Labrador once the ice clears.

Give ‘em a call- I’m sure they’d be happy to talk.

I think you mean Port Saunders?

They are close by road but the sea side approaches are far apart being on opposite sided of the peninsula.

IIRC Port Au Choix proper has no yard and few services but a CG base.

But yes, other members here have pulled in Port Saunders.