Nova Scotia Cousins Return Home After Maiden Voyage on Hand-built Schooner

Nick Densmorekatie

June 19, 2016

Evan and Nick Densmore started working on their ship, the Katie Belle, about five years ago in Stewiacke.

Sailing on a schooner he built with his cousin was a dream for Evan Densmore. But it wasn’t without its challenges.

“We had some rough weather around Sandy Hook,” he recalled. “It took us two days to go about 30 miles.”

Photo 1:  Nick Densmore on the Katie Belle as the crew prepares to dock.

Evan and Nick Densmore started working on their ship about five years ago and its gone a long way since then. From its humble beginnings in Stewiacke, the Katie Belle just finished a three-month voyage along the Eastern Seaboard, stopping in places such as Glouchester, New York and Charleston, and returning to Nova Scotia on Saturday.

As they docked on the Halifax Waterfront, the Densmores were greeted by family, friends and community members.

“Most of these people are from my own hometown – known me ever since I was a kid and followed the project the whole way along,” said Evan.

For Evan, the journey’s highlights included crossing the Gulf of Maine.

“The first time you take your boat into another country, it’s kind of a major stepping stone.”

katiebellePhoto 2: Dozens of people showed up to the Halifax Waterfront to welcome the Katie Belle home.

Evan said many of their crew, like Chester Gourley, had very little previous experience at sea.

“I love adventure,” said Gourley, who has known both Evan and Nick for a long time. “I would have helped any young guy that was doing this.”

Now that he’s tried it, Gourley said he has “caught the bug” and will be sailing for life.

“There’s no doubt in it.”

For Gourley, the biggest part of being involved with the Katie Belle was “reversing the trend” of negativity.

“You wouldn’t believe the amount of people who thought (Evan and Nick) were crazy,” he said, adding that he hopes other people see such a large project can be successful.

“Just put your head down and do it.”

Read about the building of the Katie Belle at the Cameron Shipyards here.

Read the full story of the Katie Belle homecoming here.

Story and photos: Rebecca Dingwell www.metronews.ca

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More

Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More

Lifestyle