Norm and Bea travelled down to the Cape together and we met at Whites Landing in Waquoit where we transferred my kayak to Norms truck and left my truck there for the shuttle at the end of the trip. Traffic wasn't too bad at 8am getting through Falmouth to the launch point at Quisset Harbor. There wasn't a breath of wind in the air as we unloaded and packed up. Just as we were about to launch, Gif drove up and wished us a safe trip. We chatted for a while and we wished him well...He looked great.
Before heading out of the harbor I had to land to sort out a minor skeg issue then off we went. It was around 9.00am.The sea outside the harbor was very different than last time we were here a few weeks ago, now it was glassy smooth, barely a ripple.
We had timed the trip to make use of the current all the way to Washburn Island which meant we would be going through Woods Hole 2 hrs or so after slack tide so I wasn't sure what to expect. We also had to avoid ferry traffic which gave us a window of 9.30 to 10.15.
As we began to round the corner into Woods Hole We could see the Elizebeth Islands stretching out to the south west.
The current began to build up but really wasn't bad. We ducked into the Harbor by Devils Foot Island as it was right on 9.30 and the Ferry sounded its horn. We paddled past some weird houseboats and followed the ferry out of the harbor. We then realised the truck ferry was also moving and heading out. I hadn't found a schedule for that so that was a surprise. It gave us a wide berth and we paddled back out into the current towards Nobska Point. Just before Nobska I heard some ferry related conversation on the VHF and tuned to CH13, it was the New Bedford Fast Ferry asking for permission to pass through Woods Hole. We waited in an eddy by Nobska and watched it come through. A busy time of day. There were a few larger current waves at Nobska Point, looked like a good "play" area, then it was calm again.
We stayed about a mile offshore and rode the current most of the way to lunch. It was flat and smooth, at one point we stopped to look at the chart and checked our GPS for our speed. The current was pushing us along at a nice 1 to 1.5 kts. We passed a lot of full beaches and finally landed by a rock jetty at the Great Pond Inlet for an early lunch and cooling swim. After an hour we set off again and could see the rock jetty entrance to Waquoit Bay way in the distance. There were some small standing waves at the entrance but they were coming from 2 directions so it was hard to try to surf. Power boats lined the beaches as we paddled to the sandspit by the campsites where we stopped for another 5 minute swim before cruising along to Whites landing. On the way back to Norms truck we stopped for a well earned ice cream
The trip was 13.7 nautical miles (15.7 miles). We launched just before 9am and finished around 3pm ish. I accidently switched of my Gps so have no other stats.
Thanks Norm and Bea for the company as usual....another great weekday paddle.
Briggsy
Cape Cod Pt3, Wednesday 20th July 2011
Moderator: Chip
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Re: Cape Cod Pt3, Wednesday 20th July 2011
The great thing about kayaking with Briggsy and Norm is that they both like to plan trips and they love logistics!
A peaceful Quisset harbor at launch time
The boys discussing today's route and potential issues
Gif came by to say hi and told us to watch out for the current around Devil's foot and Nobska point!
Beautiful estates on our way from Quisset to Wood's Hole
A tourist packed ferry leaving Wood's Hole for Martha's Vineyard
Norm watches the ferry go by
Briggsy at Wood's Hole
Briggsy checking his marine radio waiting for the New Bedford ferry to go through
Briggsy after rounding Nobska Point
Nantucket Sound is like glass as the wind turns. We take advantage of the current
We pull out for lunch at this seashell filled beach
A beachwalker who just bought Pungos for his wife and himself stops by to chat about sea kayaking
I saw a few ouf these filters among the seashells. Not sure if they are the same filter that made headlines earlier in the seaon. I was a good girl and did not touch them!!
The home stretch as we are heading in past the jetty at Washburn Island. The boat we saw there last spring was now gone
Briggsy wraps up the day by playing in the current off the jetty at Washburn
Thank you for another great day on the water. My internal GSP said 15.7 miles! Looking forward to Cape Cod part 4.
Bea
A peaceful Quisset harbor at launch time
The boys discussing today's route and potential issues
Gif came by to say hi and told us to watch out for the current around Devil's foot and Nobska point!
Beautiful estates on our way from Quisset to Wood's Hole
A tourist packed ferry leaving Wood's Hole for Martha's Vineyard
Norm watches the ferry go by
Briggsy at Wood's Hole
Briggsy checking his marine radio waiting for the New Bedford ferry to go through
Briggsy after rounding Nobska Point
Nantucket Sound is like glass as the wind turns. We take advantage of the current
We pull out for lunch at this seashell filled beach
A beachwalker who just bought Pungos for his wife and himself stops by to chat about sea kayaking
I saw a few ouf these filters among the seashells. Not sure if they are the same filter that made headlines earlier in the seaon. I was a good girl and did not touch them!!
The home stretch as we are heading in past the jetty at Washburn Island. The boat we saw there last spring was now gone
Briggsy wraps up the day by playing in the current off the jetty at Washburn
Thank you for another great day on the water. My internal GSP said 15.7 miles! Looking forward to Cape Cod part 4.
Bea
Bea
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Proud foster mother of Athena (P&H Cetus LV turquoise-white)
Re: Cape Cod Pt3, Wednesday 20th July 2011
My pictures from the trip. Briggsy and Bea have already covered the story...
Thanks for another great day on the water.
Thanks for another great day on the water.