sailing from Sarnia Ontario to Little Current (North Channel)
- Thread starter cymeyer
- Start date
Yes. We just did 4300 miles including a 400 mile offshore passage on a 36 foot boat.
50-55 mile days will be long, 8-10 hours.
50-55 mile days will be long, 8-10 hours.
For extended cruises (months long) we use about 21 nm/day. This includes lay days, visiting places, spending time enjoying stop along the way, long overnight passages, etc.. Even this can be a somewhat hurried pace at times. For this trip, you wont have too many options for stop during the first half of the trip, so longer days would be necessary. Especially so if you are really trying to get there quickly to enjoy the north channel area.
I did the reverse trip in 4 stops and one lay day in Tobermory (fog), and at least one lay day in Goderich, but we were on a accellerated return trip back to Kingston. Tobermory to Goderich was a straight shot overnight. That usually requires a recovery day.
Little Current,
Killarney,
Tobermory,
Goderich,
Sarnia
So, probably (190/7) 30 nm/day on average?
Chris
I did the reverse trip in 4 stops and one lay day in Tobermory (fog), and at least one lay day in Goderich, but we were on a accellerated return trip back to Kingston. Tobermory to Goderich was a straight shot overnight. That usually requires a recovery day.
Little Current,
Killarney,
Tobermory,
Goderich,
Sarnia
So, probably (190/7) 30 nm/day on average?
Chris
thanks. helpful. we were going to take 3 days from Sarnia to Tobermory. two of these over 50 NM. will break it up more.
How many crew on board? Are you planning on sailing non-stop? We sailed similar trip on Nantai 37 some years ago. We sailed non-stop up the middle of Lake Huron. Motored when we could not make headway under sail.
Only my wife and I. We are in our late 60's and not looking forward to 24 sailing. Luckily, we have time and we should take it.....
We've done the North Channel from Bay City, MI, and on the first one we tried to plot out miles covered - I'm a real task-oriented person and wanted to cover the most sites possible in my short vacation weeks. After the first week, and on subsequent trips, I figured out that I was sailing as fast as possible past some of the most beautiful cruising grounds (both land and water) on earth. This is not a race and you do not win a trophy for sailing fast past Kincardine, rather than stopping to listen to the piper on the lighthouse in their lovely harbor. Have a dinghy and perhaps some folding bikes on-board. Pick blueberries. Skinny-dip off the transom in a secluded anchorage. I suggest buying a Ports guide, and taking in the natural and cultural beauty of this area - that's what you're travelling for, isn't it?
Some areas (Kincardine to Tobermory, for example) you cannot anchor, so be prepared for a long day and watch for the weather window.
Some areas (Kincardine to Tobermory, for example) you cannot anchor, so be prepared for a long day and watch for the weather window.
We‘ve cruised our boat 21 years on Lakes Erie and Huron, and chartered around the world, and on all the Great Lakes. We have been to the North Chanel in our own boat and by charter out of Gore Bay. Here are my thoughts in planning a cruise:
How fast can you expect to sail/motor sail? On a 38+ footer, I think that’s about 6 knots.
How long are you comfortable sailing in a day? For us, that‘s around 8 hours with 10 doable occasionally. That comes out to 50 nm per day if we were cruising your Junneau. Based on those two assumptions, you could get to the North Channel in 5 legs: Sarnia, Goderich, Port Elgin, Tobermory, Little Current, for example. I would point out that there are many great North Channel anchorages in the east end before you get to Little Current, which would shorten the last leg.
Do plan the flexibility to take days to rest, or avoid bad weather. For example, we set out from Tobermory once in a 20 knot west wind. The wind was OK, but the fetch for a west wind there starts at Mackinac - there were 6 footers rolling our boat - so we turned around, and spent another night in Tobermory!
Some friends who go every summer do the 180 nm from Sarnia to the North Channel in one 30 hour overnight leg, assuming the prevailing southwest winds. We prefer enjoying the ports along the way, avoiding the stress of a night cruise with a crew of two.
In any case, fair winds and following seas - you have a great boat for this trip, and we think the North Channel is the best cruising ground in the world!
How fast can you expect to sail/motor sail? On a 38+ footer, I think that’s about 6 knots.
How long are you comfortable sailing in a day? For us, that‘s around 8 hours with 10 doable occasionally. That comes out to 50 nm per day if we were cruising your Junneau. Based on those two assumptions, you could get to the North Channel in 5 legs: Sarnia, Goderich, Port Elgin, Tobermory, Little Current, for example. I would point out that there are many great North Channel anchorages in the east end before you get to Little Current, which would shorten the last leg.
Do plan the flexibility to take days to rest, or avoid bad weather. For example, we set out from Tobermory once in a 20 knot west wind. The wind was OK, but the fetch for a west wind there starts at Mackinac - there were 6 footers rolling our boat - so we turned around, and spent another night in Tobermory!
Some friends who go every summer do the 180 nm from Sarnia to the North Channel in one 30 hour overnight leg, assuming the prevailing southwest winds. We prefer enjoying the ports along the way, avoiding the stress of a night cruise with a crew of two.
In any case, fair winds and following seas - you have a great boat for this trip, and we think the North Channel is the best cruising ground in the world!
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Thank you David! Very helpful. Our course is what you mention: Sarnia, Goderich, Port Elgin, Tobermory, Little Current. Weather permitting. Looking forward to this adventure.
There is also Bayfield just south of Goderich and Kincardine between Goderich and Southhampton (Port Elgin) to keep in mind if weather shortens your days etc. Both have full marinas. Bayfield is a nice town just up the hill with lots of shops and restaurants, if you wanted to spend any time.
Yes, weather is an important factor. I have cruised to the North Channel from southern Georgian Bay in my H27 a few times. I gunkhole up the east shore varying the day-to-day from 15 to 35 nm, averaging 25 as a comfortable pace. In my way, it's a 14-day excursion from Penetang ON. I don't night sail. Traversing the Huron coast to Tobermory and on to Little Current would be a very different experience. Definitely plan for at least one layover day.