Mattapoisett Harbour

We left Provincetown at 7 AM as we were heading for the Cape Cod canal which was over 20 NM away. The currents in the canal are very strong and in small boats that we have it must be timed to be going in the right direction to help you through it. You are supposed to be through in no more than 2.5 hrs (not sure what they would do if you took longer....) The tides were in our favour until 2:15 thus our early departure. We motor sailed for the first 2 hrs, then the wind came up to about 20 knots to make for a quick sail, we were in the canal by 11:15. With the currents we were doing up to 10 knots over ground with out even pushing the engine! 10 knots is supposed to be the upper speed limit but we had plenty of big power boaters doing lots more than that, plus throwing a heck of a wake in the process. It did not take long to get through the main part when we arrived into Buzzards Bay. The winds on this side of the canal were half what they were from the other side. In this section it is well protected from the Atlantic and the waters and air both feel warmer – it actually feels like we are now getting some place…..

We had a great sail for the next hour or so and anchored in Mattapoisett Harbour for the night.

For those that forgot or missed it (you know who you are….) there is an interactive map available to show our progress, it is

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