Solo Sailing: I went for 4 Days – Stayed for 11
My First Solo Trip: Alone on My Boat, Never Alone on the Water
I’ve had this as a personal goal this year and I can happily scratch it off the proverbial list. I'd been dreaming and scheming to do this all season. I just needed that window of predicted fair weather and of course, a buddy boat to follow or catch up with. All the stars aligned for this great adventure that began on August 11, 2026
I was quietly nervous, but very excited for this trip. We had a plan. Get as far upriver as we can in the first 2 days, then wander and mosey around in different areas. I had prepped for 4 days but little did I know, the river had other plans for me.
We stopped in at Kingston Creek in the Belleisle Bay on the first day up and on our way back as well. This is a coastal indentation between two capes or headlands, larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf, that’s been carved out by glaciers. This place is loved by boaters as a beautiful, sheltered area, great for swimming and peppered with cottages a bit further down the creek. It’s not a place I favour on the weekend as the powerboat traffic can get heavy and we bounce around and anchors sometimes drag in their wakes.
From there we headed to Ox Island. I struggled a lot this day on the trip. No one to talk to for what seemed like the entire day. I was surprised at how uncomfortable this would make me. I picked up my phone to check something. I can’t even remember what. That’s the moment I realized there was no signal. No music. Sketchy messaging. No way to distract myself from my own thoughts.
But then something shifted. I put the phone down. I watched the clouds, landmarks and I talked and sang to myself, yes, out loud and laughed at how strange that felt.
Guess what? I survived.
A short paddle away lies a beautiful sandy beach and sandbar that is popular for recreational boating, sailing and kayaking on the river. The sandy beach was not visible as the tide was up or the dam was opened up river. Then clouds opened up and we had a drenching paddle back to the boats.
sailboat heading into Ox Island Ox Island dunes we didn't see (taken from another trip) Photo credit, P. Duffy Ox Island Dunes - Photo Credit P. Duffy
Above: Approach To Ox Island and the Dunes We Didn't see. Dune photo credit: Puffy - Year Unknown
Our next stop was Grimross Island. In a nutshell it is a small, relatively flat island, just above the Village of Gagetown. The island hosts local livestock there. I’ve only ever seen evidence of cows, footprints and old cow paddies.
We beached the boats and tied them to some trees. Duffy demonstrated how to deploy the stern anchor via kayak.
We stayed for two days. The sand was warm under my feet. The water was calm. We wandered the shores, collecting freshwater clam shells. They looked different from the ocean ones that I’m so familiar with. We gathered firewood for dinner, and I took a long nap, under the shade of the trees on the beach. We met some people from Belleisle Bay and made friends. We also had thunder, downpours and we savoured it all.
Sailboats beached on Grimross Island Warm water stroll Cooking on open fire The sandy point on Grimross Island
Above: Beached at Grimross, warm water strolls, supper on open fire and beautiful beaches.
At this point, without reliable phone service on my phone, I had some concerns about making the trip home without communication for the better part of the day. After much discussion, I decided to stay past my 4 day plan.
Then we headed to Douglas Harbour in Grand Lake. This is the largest freshwater lake in New Brunswick, Canada. To get there we need to go up the Jemseg River. It’s a beautiful 5Km long, deep meandering river, where Grand Lake empties into the St. John / Wolastoq River.
The plan was to hit the Jemseg during the golden hour of the morning. As luck would have it, there was a morning mist, which was perfect for me and my phone, but Duffy’s motor was struggling to idle at the speeds required for the stuff she wanted to do.
Misty morning on the Jemseg Cruising into the misty Jemseg Rising mist on the Jemseg
Above: Misty morning on the Jemseg
In Douglas Harbour, we beached the boats on the bar. This means taking your bow anchor for a walk on the bar and setting it, as well as a stern anchor. Duffy did the bow on the bar and I did the stern via kayak. First time for me, I didn’t flip myself or the anchor out of the kayak. That’s a win for me. Of course, we hit the takeout, Harbour 1 Stop, had lunch and ice cream. Picked up some fuel and other supplies, then back to the boat. I had a muddy buddy for the next leg of the trip, My chicken wings lost the battle with the mud on the stern anchor, so we made the best of it and travelled together to the next stop.
Ready to deploy stern anchor via kayak Beached on the Bar Douglas Harbour Bar My muddy anchor along for the next leg of the trip Bow of boat view of the bar and harbour Grassy view of the boats on the bar
Above: Kayak and anchor, beached on the bar, the bar, muddy anchor, last two pictures on the bar.
Lawson’s Passage was our next destination. This is such a lovely place, protected on three sides from the winds. It’s a nice spot to tuck in for shelter. Well, to say I'm clumsy on the boat is an understatement, I think I win the bruise wars for this year Rushing around to receive boats to raft up is all hands on deck. Let's just say, I should probably try to relax a little more and panic less. We had a small fleet of boats join us from Jack’s annual cruise. We morphed from a raft of two into a raft of five with Louie, the 21 year young cat who likes to boat hop, as well as few other boats rafted close by. We shared food, drinks, stories and of course lots of laughter. I even got help with a few repairs on my boat. The day ended with flat water, a sunset painted in the sky in orange and gold. Five boats, tied together and laughter drifting across the water is the perfect end to the day.
My new to me dodger Ouch - My maybe broken toe Bruise War Winner - Self Proclaimed
Above: My new to me doger finally set up, my toe (perhaps broken?), bruise wars.
Rafted up with other friends Louie 21 years young boat hopping Sunset at Lawson's Passage
Above: Peak of the raft, Louie and spectacular sunset.
From there we returned to Kingston Creek for the day with a plan to stop in and to visit Yip Cider tomorrow and stay the night. It’s a place steeped in history and hard cider. Check out this video for a tour and more details. We had planned to stay there that night, but the Reach had other plans. The wind picked up and we decided to truck it on home.
YIP Cider Building Leaving Yip Cider, heading back to the boats YIP, the man, the legend
Above: YIP Cider, walking back to the boats, YIP himself back in the day.
Solo Sailing Summary
On this trip I learned so many things, beaching and tying off on a tree. Deploying stern anchors from a kayak. Adjusting anchors for the currents and tides. I learned how to navigate the narrow channel of Palmer’s Creek. Had a chance to cook on an open fire (I’m not talking hot dogs and marshmallows) and also brought my cook stove to the beach. I was comfortable enough to be the lead boat in certain areas. Took out my phone and GoPro more often. Made a solo sailing bucket with all the things I need for the trip as I can’t leave the helm unattended (no autopilot).
These are all things that 3-4 years ago I could never imagine myself doing. It’s an amazing feeling to be here, in this stage of my life. It’s been a long road to get to here, to this point. I felt my fear, my insecurities, self doubts, all my "what ifs" and did it anyway. That requires courage, commitment, persistence and a lot of baby steps along the way.
Showing up for myself and others has been a game changer in my life, on land and on the water. Making commitments to myself and keeping them is sometimes hard, but one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done for myself. There’s a lot of work to get there. But if you’re aiming at the right things? It can be amazing and I'm only getting started.
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