Thousand Islands Canada side

[chp]

For anyone trailering to the Thousand Islands I thought I would put in some advice on where not to launch. We just got back from a week there. The only problem was where we launched. We went out of Gananoque. The only launch ramp around there was the municipal ramp. The ports guide was a bit out of date. There is very little room for setting up the mast and boat. I was concerned about the power lines in the area. The ramp itself is very good. The biggest problem was the trees that overhang the channel to the ramp. I didn't notice them until I tried to back out of the channel. You can get around it, but it puts you dangerously close to a jagged metal pier. I lowered the mast on the water when we returned.
With that said the Thousand Islands is a great place to cruise. A lot of motoring as some of the channels are narrow and unless you really know the area you don't want to go outside of some of them. We did our first border crossing to the U.S. and back. Boldt castle is a must see.
Also you will want some good engine power coming back up the river. The current in some areas run's about 2 knts.

 

[Chris & Lenore]

That's good information. We plan to sail our Aloha 32 to the thousand islands from Toronto in a couple weeks. Friends may trailer their Mac 26 to Gan and launch there.
It's the first time for us - any areas or anchorages to avoid?
We haven't crossed the border in a boat yet - I heard their is a permit that you need to have first?

Chris

 

[Kermit]

We spent several days exactly where you were. We had just bought our first keel boat and didn't have it with us. I was curious how sailors would handle the current. Daggum beautiful part of the world. And +1 on Boldt Castle. Thanks for the report!

 

[Gemini Dreams]

If Gan is where you want to launch, you may be stuck, but a couple of good launches in the area are just west of Bath on Hwy 33 or in Kingston at Lake Ontario Park.
Parking is a little tight in the park and the ramp is at the bottom of a hill, but both are clear overhead and have room to setup.
Mind you, both options are many hours sail from Gan, but there are several good moorings in the area such as Prinyers Cove, Parrot Bay and the bay west of the Amherst ferry on the island. there is another on the south west side of Amherst Island called Sandy Bay, I believe, but I am told it can get hairy if the wind kicks up from the west.
The launch at Bath puts you right across from Prinyers, Amherst Island and right at the entrance to the Bay of Quinte.
Now if you want seclusion, look up Main Duck Island! This is an unserviced park now so the facilities are rather crude, but it is the farthest mooring from civilisation you can get in the lake!

 

[chp]

If Gan is where you want to launch, you may be stuck, but a couple of good launches in the area are just west of Bath on Hwy 33 or in Kingston at Lake Ontario Park.
Parking is a little tight in the park and the ramp is at the bottom of a hill, but both are clear overhead and have room to setup.
Mind you, both options are many hours sail from Gan, but there are several good moorings in the area such as Prinyers Cove, Parrot Bay and the bay west of the Amherst ferry on the island. there is another on the south west side of Amherst Island called Sandy Bay, I believe, but I am told it can get hairy if the wind kicks up from the west.
The launch at Bath puts you right across from Prinyers, Amherst Island and right at the entrance to the Bay of Quinte.
Now if you want seclusion, look up Main Duck Island! This is an unserviced park now so the facilities are rather crude, but it is the farthest mooring from civilisation you can get in the lake!

I was thinking of Kingston for next year. We will come back next year. A few extra hours of sailing is not a big deal.

 

[Fred]

A few years back I launch just west of the bridge at Ivy Lee. There is a public ramp. The motel close to the ramp charged only $5 per day to park the truck and trailer. At the time I had my venture 25 and the ramp worked fine.