August 19, 2025 On to Mahone Bay to settle in for Hurricane Erin

Wednesday August 19, 2025 Shelter Cove to Mahone Bay Dock. 96 miles and 9.3 hours

We are hitting very limited days suitable for cruising. Winds seem to never stop - just a matter of how strong and what direction. We're technically cruising the North Atlantic every time we hop down the south coast of Nova Scotia, so wave heights and direction are also a constant concern. Currently have 9 weather apps I'm following to keep up with local conditions as well as the progress of Hurricane Erin. While it's not forecast to hit Nova Scotia directly, it's such a wide and powerful storm that even with it far offshore it still will have a significant impact on wind and waves for multiple days. We had hoped to be crossing over to Maine about now based on our original master schedule, but right now things look like it may be almost two more weeks before we get a proper weather window for crossing the Bay of Fundy. All that said, today is our last "GO" day for another long run before Hurricane Erin's impact encroaches. Today's forecast calls for 2-3 foot waves from the south. But with winds from the north gusting to 20mph we're expecting choppy, sloppy and mixed seas.

Off to an early start. Anchor up at 6:45. Plenty of light out and two sailboats already left and headed north. Chain and anchor held great overnight but comes up with a bit of mud requiring a good washdown. That secured, we're off.

Peaceful night and calm morning as the sun rises in Shelter Cove anchorage

Sun is a bit brutal for the short run out the anchorage before we head to sea

Quick run into the ocean and seas are as expected. Not terrible but just confused. Stabilizers help a bit but the windblown spray is the bigger bother. Constant turning of the knob - wipers on / wipers off. Offshore and then through some island passages. Hard rocky coastline when we can see it. Work our way into open water again and across the shipping lanes that head to Halifax. Hope to go explore there during our week long layover in Mahone Bay.

Lighthouse on a rocky bluff as we pass near shore

Wind kicking up some spray

Hard rock shoreline - not where you want to go off course

Had a difficult time finding a place to take us for the week. No room at docks or no room for our size. Even difficult to get a mooring - same issues. Mooring weights are insufficient for out tonnage or insufficient swing room between moorings. Mahone Bay (the town) is a smaller community of about 1000 people tucked well into the side of Mahone Bay (the water). Good protection from all directions except SE. Not fancy but a decent floating dock attached to the town wharf. Water and 50 AMP power available. Not even a bad weekly rate.

Mahone Bay. As You Wish tied to the end of the town wharf

Back side of the buildings on Main Street that abut the harbor

Town never existed when the French controlled Nova Scotia. The English encouraged European Protestant immigrants with free land in the area as a way to further maintain their control after the Treaty of Paris. Like many towns in Nova Scotia, it became a boat building center back in the 1800's. Has managed to hold onto many 19th century homes and buildings so it's quite quaint.

A unique architectural feature on houses here is the "Lunenburg Bump".
The three-sided dormer was made popular by builders in that nearby town.

Beautifully maintained and ornate trim work is very common

Mostly a tourist town now. Most famous feature is the three churches standing side by side at the end of the harbor. St. James Anglican, St. John's Lutheran, and Trinity United Churches.