Catching a Crab (pot) ….     Wednesday 29th August

The morning sky was as clear as I've ever seen it and the wind was blowing smartly out of the northwest. Our goal today was to sail over to Bass Harbor and check in with the Morris service facility. We decided to start out with a reef in the main and partly unfurled genoa, and this proved to be a good combination as we made speeds of 6 to 7+ knots. Yesterday, whilst sailing downwind in lighter air, we had found it difficult to maintain good manouverability and avoid the lobster pots. We did end up snagging one, but with a bit of a wiggle of the rudder we were able to get it off. Today with whitecaps on the water it was tough to see all the pots - some of which are mostly submerged. Again we did run over and snag a pot, but were able to lose it. Towards the end of our trip today we decided to shake out the reef and in so doing lost some speed and direction and ran over yet another pot - this time with more serious consequences.  We couldn't shake it off and quickly ground to dead stop with the pot acting as avery effective stern anchor. Recognizing the risk of winding the rope round the prop, but short of options, we turned on the engine which stalled immediately we engaged forward. We furled the genoa, but had a terrible time getting the main down as it was pinned downwind and we couldn't turn in any direction. Having finally accomplished this through perseverance and brute force, Mike donned his shorty wet suit, and tied to the boat via a harness and rope, took to the water. It was pretty choppy and unpleasant. A quick look under the boat showed the pot float jammed between the propellor and the hull with the pot rope tight out the other side. Efforts to use a boat hook to dislodge the float failed and with some reluctance Mike dived under the boat and cut the pot rope. The boat was now floating free but with sails down and prop still jammed. Fortunately when we re-started the engine and put it in reverse we were able to dislodge the float. I suspect if we had done this before it is likely we would have wound the line around the prop. In any event, somewhat shaken we motored the last couple of miles into Bass Harbor and took up one of Morris's moorings. Tomorrow they will check out the engine and do preventative maintenance.

On a happier note, we were delighted to hear that Tash arrived safely back at Pomona College. We think she showed great resolve under challenging circumstances.

Not too many photos today - so here is one I took yesterday of an interesting character I met on the dock in Stonington. I presume he is either "Sid" … or a very good friend of his!

Mike

Sid's shitter