28 July 2017, Shippagan, N.B. - St. Therese de Gaspe.

Marc-  Shippagan Gulley was a great stopover with our anchorage just south of the drawbridge.  We pulled up the anchor at 07:00 hoping to make it all the way to Gaspe (dream on).  The incoming tide flows South to the inlet so we moved along at 8 knots coming down the narrow channel.  The only difficulty was the rough inlet since the wind was still out of the South but we managed well in the confused seas.  Sara came out of the cabin once we were clear and took a look around.  "What was that all about ?"  She must have been tossed around the cabin a bit.  We now followed the Eastern side of Miscou Island taking advantage of the now Southwest wind of 15 knots.  We did well until we reached the end of Miscou Island where we were exposed to the 75 mile fetch of the Baie des Chaleurs.  Somehow we now had waves coming from both the South and the West. It was like being in a "washing machine" with confused seas and diminishing wind.  We motersailed toward the mountainous Quebec shore and Perce Rock.  Sara did not feel well.   As we approached the Gaspe Penninsula the wind shifted 180 degrees to the East.  This meant that our desired port of Anse a Beaufils would be exposed.  We still had time to alter course for St. Therese de Gaspe, a medium sized fishing port with a protected entrance.  Another boater in Shippagan had noted this was a good port in a storm with no frills and no charges.  We had no difficulty sailing to this fishing port with its clear and protected entrance.   Fortunately for us the snowcrab fishing season had ending a week earlier and the outer harbor was half empty.  We pulled in behind one of these large steel fishing boats and tied up to the pier.  I checked with a local fisherman who reported that we were fine and that the Harbormaster was not around.  This port is all about fishing.  It is a designated fishing port created by Canadian Fisheries and Oceans.  There were two fish processing plants here as well as a inner harbor devoted to lobster fishing boats.  Bathroom and showers were also available here.

After tying up we went exploring.  Our first stop was a nice restaurant in the port facility.  Sara suggested a hike afterward and we discovered the nearby village and returned by the railroad tracks (not currently in use).