2017 Schooner Bowdoin

Broad Reaches and Beautiful Scenery

Posted on: July 27, 2017

Sailing isn’t all broad reaches and beautiful scenery, but for the past few days that has been the life for the crew on Bowdoin. A fresh SW’ly breeze began to fill in on the evening of the 25th and only let up for a short time on the 26th. The ship has averaged 6 knots over the past 24 hours under sail with a top speed of 10.5 knots. It’s been like a freight train rolling down tracks making for the Bay of Islands, Newfoundland. We made first sighting of land early on the morning of the 27th, and for the next 40 nm watched the beautiful mountains growing out of the horizon as we drew closer at a blistering 8 knots.

Captain Eley was ecstatic telling the crew that “this is the best sailing of your life.” There is nothing better than a fine ship sailing fast on a broad reach directly towards its chosen destination.

What a destination it is! We now sit snug at anchor in Lark Harbour, Newfoundland surrounded by large beautiful mountains that plunge into the sea. The Crew has the afternoon to explore ashore and get some rest after an amazing passage from Quebec City.