Georgian Bay

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

Just got back from 3 weeks sailing in Georgian bay on my O'Day 240. Pictures here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150239878136448.320345.549966447

 

[Technodad]

DJ, I could not open your Facebook link, I would like to see those pics.
I have a mooring in Bronte and would like to link up with another O'Day owner.
I have a 81 O'Day 23 and will be putting her in the lake in about 2 weeks.
Currently I have the Sandpiper that is next to the boat ramp.

John

 

[Scott B]

Where did you end up launching?

Looks like you had a great trip. I don't think you can have a bad trip in Georgian Bay.... We were up in the Massassauga ( Port Rawson ) Jul. 1-3. Been up to Kilcoursie and Franklin several times.

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

Hi Scott

I know where your Sandpiper is. I am in B117 which is just south of the Gazebo. Drop over for a beer if I am there. Boat name is Solace. I will keep an eye on the Sandpiper and introduce myself if I see you there.

Did you get an error message from the pics?

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

Hi Scott

I ended up launching at Hindson's. They charged me 150.00 for storing the truck and trailer for 3 weeks. I too was in Port Rawson bay for a couple of nights but I was there the 10th and 11th of July. We also did Kilcoursie and Franklin Island. Turns out that the limiting factor on our trip was the head capacity. Pumpouts are few and far between north of Parry Sound.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Great pics of a beautiful place. Hope I get to see your part of the world one day.

 

[kenn]

DJ, I could not open your Facebook link, I would like to see those pics.
I have a mooring in Bronte and would like to link up with another O'Day owner.
I have a 81 O'Day 23 and will be putting her in the lake in about 2 weeks.
Currently I have the Sandpiper that is next to the boat ramp.

Still can't see the pic link.

(and Hi, Kiwi John )

 

[Scott B]

Still can't see the pic link.

(and Hi, Kiwi John )

what can't you see. I can open them with no problem IE 8.

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

try this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/djplatt/

 

[chp]

Nice pics. The second link worked. Looks relaxing. Hoping to get up to Midland for a week in August. Will be my first trip away on the boat. How large was your sanitation tank? I think power and sewage are my only concerns.

 

[Scott B]

Nice pics. The second link worked. Looks relaxing. Hoping to get up to Midland for a week in August. Will be my first trip away on the boat. How large was your sanitation tank? I think power and sewage are my only concerns.

You won't have any problems in a week, in this area. It's above Parry Sound that it gets more scarce. There are several in the Midland area, up to Killbear Marina at the outside of parry Sound and several in between.

Make sure you have the strip charts for this area. I also would reccomend the Ports book for Georgian Bay. It may be a little pricy, but will save you tons of time in locating pump outs, supplies, anchorages to visit and the best areas to go. Any of the marinas or Chandlry in Hamilton will have them.


You may want to check out Hindsons in Penetang to launch and store your truck / trailer. Sounds like a good price. Other options with ramp are Penetang town dock and BayMoorings ( look for me if you use the 3rd one )

If you want some more reccomendations, let me know. I can give you some good anchorages depending on how far you want to travel, how long you want to sail each day and / or anchor. This is where we go every weekend, then further on holiday trips.

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

chp makes a good point about sewage. Our 2.6 gallon holding tank was the limitation that stopped us going further north. We didn't want to be more than about 3 days from a pumpout. As Scott B notes, this is not an issue from Parry Sound south but it is north of Parry Sound. Next time our holding tank will be bigger. This has never been an issue for us on Lake Ontario where you are travelling from marina to marina most of the time.

 

[Scott B]

I don't have my Ports book here, but I'm sure there's a couple of places between Parry Sound and the Bustards ( NE corner of Georgian Bay ). Like Pointe au Baril, Bayfield Inlet and Key Harbour.

I thought my 25 gal. holding tank was small. We max out at 5 nights, which we did last year in Baie Fine, couple hours past Killarney. It was so nice we didn't want to leave.

 

[chp]

Thanks for the info Scott. Yup have had the ports guide since winter. Read most of it. I have a 5 gal sewage tank so not to bad I guess. We had hoped to do the North Channel at the beggining of June, but with such a wet and cool spring worried about the bugs so had to change plans. Things in August depends on the wife getting some time off. If we're in the area we'll give you a shout. Love your anchorage pic.

 

[Eric s/v Windrush]

Before you reach the Bustards, you can dump, and re-provision at Britt. There's a couple of restaurants, a pretty good general store, groceries and an LCBO!!

Echoing what has been said, be sure you have charts, and a Ports Guide for the area, and keep a good watch!

 

[Technodad]

This playground looks fabulous, thank you all for the great pictures, Debbie and I will be planning to do Georgian Bay and hopefully the North Channel after next summer.
We have purchased a 81 O'Day 23 and will be marina hopping next summer to get familiar with everything cruising, but after that...North here we come!
Eric, didn't get the Sirius, saw one of these O'Day 23 beauties at our marina and just had to have one. I am currently upgrading her, Scott and I have been for three sails so far and find her superb.
I am replacing the MSD and was going back and forth about the smaller or larger one, smaller (more head room), larger more waste capacity, I think I'll go with the taller one after reading djplatts post.

Cheers
John
(Kiwi John) (Technodad)

No name yet........

 

[BadMoon]

Nice photos, great shot of the blood red sunset off Kilbear { 0091 }.
Nice looking boat Kiwi....

 

[Technodad]

Hammer Time!.......... Thanks Andy

 

[Scott B]

Hammer Time!.......... Thanks Andy

hahahaha ............... Oskie We-We ............. Argooooooos

 

[Eric s/v Windrush]

Techno, that's a very smart looking boat, congratulations! It's nice when you can walk the dock and run into a great boat for sale. Makes thing easier.

What's to become of Jenny?

Eric