Sailing the Abrams Village inside channel

Va'a Motu at the sandspit

From Egmont Bay's Cimetiere Road to Abrams Village's fish processing plant, there's a 4.5km navigable channel inside the sandbars. Its average width depends on the tide level but is around 0.5 km. Since this channel is only a few minutes' drive from the cottage, I usually head there when I need a short sail (e.g. to test something or to give somebody a sailing experience). The launch at Cimetiere Rd is pretty good, but some shore areas have thick, sticky mud. The water level to launch and sail in the channel is 0.8m or higher (Cap Egmont). The usual destination is the sand spit on the other side of the Haldimand River (i.e. near the fish plant).

Sailing track, 16 km

On August 3rd, I took the Va'a Motu to the Abrams Village channel mainly for a fun sail. I had expected a west wind, but unfortunately, it was more of a stiff southerly breeze. It took me 15 tacks to reach the sand spit. That was OK, and I can always use more tacking practice. The Va'a Motu tacks pretty well as long as you have the leeboard and rudder well down. If you get in shallow waters (< 1m), you may have to gybe or get the paddle out to bring you about.

Va'a Motu outrigger sailing canoe - some assemble required

After a break on the sand spit, I started my downwind return trip at a good clip. I was soon crossing the lobster boat channel and missed seeing one of the channel markers until it was too late to avoid it! It hit both port side iakos, and luckily, the metal marker buoy was low enough to go under. Phew!

The alternate launch shore for the Abrams Village channel is McGee Road (la cote a Matt). It's a long dirt road that's not always in great shape. But, having a second option is good since the shore access at Cimetiere Road is sometimes not ideal.  

I have sailed out into Egmont Bay (Northumberland Strait) in the past for mackerel fishing but have not done that with the Va'a Motu yet. It's on my list, but the weather needs to be just right.