By Andrew Pape
When signing up for a sailing course you might expect a bit of rowing, but probably not high-speed whitewater rafting in a pulling boat. However, that’s just what the crew of PB #22 got when that made their way into The Basin.
The Basin is a large deepwater bay within Vinalhaven Island open to the outside by only two small channels. The first is about eight feet wide, shallow and runs under a low bridge. The second, however, with a channel about 35 feet wide, is quite deep. The narrowness and depth of this second channel creates a set of tidal rapids as real as any river, running in on the flood and out on the ebb. Perfect conditions for making a whitewater boat out of a Pulling Boat!
The crew of PB #22, “The Salty Sailors” (Q4SO44-303) had crossed Penobscot Bay in great time, rowing and navigating through the fog to an anchorage just outside the entrance to The Basin at 1400. The timing for running the rapid at the proper tide level was 1545, giving the crew time to relax a bit and make preparations for the rapid. With a following current the rudder loses effect and, therefore, was swapped out for a steering oar. After a bit of rest the crew weighed anchor and practiced some figure eights using the steering oar before making the plunge into the Basin.
Six rowers strong, and with student Kaitie Cartwright on the steering oar, we made our approach. As we made our way closer to the horizon line we could see the rock marking the center of the channel to our port side, and the rocky shoreline close to starboard. The rowers kept us pointed downstream and right in the middle of the current. Passing the narrowest point in the channel it felt as if the oars could almost touch the rocks on either side. Heading over the drop was exhilarating, but we weren’t out yet – still an island to navigate around and eddies to avoid. – Starboard side hold water! Port side power strokes! All together give way! Steer hard right! …and then we were through, surging past and into the basin itself.
The Basin is such a beautiful location and quite secluded – in fact we saw only a few kayakers and a lobster boat hauling traps. Making our way out of the channel we found a magnificent spot to anchor just offshore from several osprey nests. Getting dinner ready and pulling back the tarp we were all awed by the colors of the sunset, the circling ospreys, and even a bald eagle coasting along. Truly one of those special times on course you’ll always remember.