Va'a Motu's first sail on Cascumpec Bay, Northport

 

Cascumpec Bay (Keskamkek, Mi'kmaq) is a smaller bay than Malpeque Bay. However, it's still large enough for a day of sailing and some exploring. There are three access locations to Cascumpec Bay for sailing and paddling. Black Banks Road is good to access the bay from the SE. Due to the shallow waters at Black Banks, the location is most practical for small light boats (i.e. not the Va'a Motu). For the Va'a Motu, the two best access would be Gordon's Wharf and Northport Point. Gordon's Wharf is an oyster-working launch location that can get busy. Also, depending on the wind, you may have to use the outboard motor to get in and out of the launch shore. The best launch location for the Va'a Motu is the significant sand point at Northport. And, on August 9th, that's where I went to launch the Va'a Motu. The sand at Northport seemed deeper and less firm than in previous years, and I had to drive carefully to avoid getting stuck. 

Sailing track, Va'a Motu (16 km)

After launching, I sailed SE following the sandhills but keeping the KW waypoints to port. The KW (Keep West) waypoints mark the edge of the shallow sandhill waters. The destination was SHA15 – the best sandhill shore access between the two large sandflats of Cascumpec Bay. This area is an NCC property, so I did a monitoring walk. ATV tracks were visible on the gulf side. These tracks are probably from the lighthouse cottage near the Northport gulf channel.

Va'a Motu, Northport point

Largest erratic, Cascumpec Bay (SW point)

After my walk and lunch, I sailed westwards across Cascumpec Bay (3 km or so) to Erratic Point. I went ashore for a short walk and to take photos. Then, I made the sail passage (4 km or so) back to the Northport launch location. This was a good first Va'a Motu sail on Cascumpec Bay. Next year, I would like to spend a longer day on the bay to get to the south end towards Black Banks. I would also want to explore launching at Gordon's Wharf to avoid the deep/loose sand issue at Northport. It also requires less driving (saves 24 km). Either way, the Alberton tides should be 0.5m or higher to make sailing enjoyable on Cascumpec Bay.

American Germander (Imperiled in PEI)	Viceroy butterfly