All right, winter is declared officially over (even for those lucky enough to be spared sub-zero temps, icy winds, and snow storms). And with the passing of winter, out come the chart books and cruising guides to plan yet another wonderful season afloat. Yet visit most marinas in mid-season and what do you see: a large number of boats languishing at their docks or sitting on their trailers eagerly awaiting the return of their owner. They chomp at the bit to be sailing. So, how much cruising do you normally do in a season? Are you mostly a daysailor? One of those frequent flyers who arrives at the boat Friday evening and doesn't go home until late Sunday night? Can you manage to sail a week or two on your own boat or is that only for charter vacations? Do you regularly cruise to distant waters or only now and then? Tell us about your cruising plans this season then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz provided by Warren Milberg)
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Lake Cruising
We make several long weekend cruises - made one last weekend 70 NM total. Went to friends house on Barkley Lake about 35 nm away and spent weekend on boat. We will also make another longer cruise to another friends lake house on Kentucky Lake - 42NM away - in June. We spend about 80 days a year on our boat at the lake. We generally go to boat on Thursday night and spend at least thru Sat and sometimes until Sunday night. we have all the amenities of home, including generator and sat TV with tracking antenna, so it really makes no difference whether we are at the dock, sailing, or anchored out - we just turn on the genset and have everything we would at the dock. In the fall we generally charter a boat at Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor with friends and sail to Key West for a week. Last fall we did a ten day trip to Dry Tortugas, Key West and back to Charlotte Harbor. We are thinking of chartering in Bahamas this fall. When I bought my boat, I thought I would take it south through the Tenn-Tom to Florida for a winter, but think now I would rather charter due to the time involved in getting there and getting back and the wear and tear on my boat. We do other short week-end cruises to numerous coves where we might anchor for the night. Kentucky lake has many interesting places to go.
We make several long weekend cruises - made one last weekend 70 NM total. Went to friends house on Barkley Lake about 35 nm away and spent weekend on boat. We will also make another longer cruise to another friends lake house on Kentucky Lake - 42NM away - in June. We spend about 80 days a year on our boat at the lake. We generally go to boat on Thursday night and spend at least thru Sat and sometimes until Sunday night. we have all the amenities of home, including generator and sat TV with tracking antenna, so it really makes no difference whether we are at the dock, sailing, or anchored out - we just turn on the genset and have everything we would at the dock. In the fall we generally charter a boat at Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor with friends and sail to Key West for a week. Last fall we did a ten day trip to Dry Tortugas, Key West and back to Charlotte Harbor. We are thinking of chartering in Bahamas this fall. When I bought my boat, I thought I would take it south through the Tenn-Tom to Florida for a winter, but think now I would rather charter due to the time involved in getting there and getting back and the wear and tear on my boat. We do other short week-end cruises to numerous coves where we might anchor for the night. Kentucky lake has many interesting places to go.
LIS every summer
every summer , I take 3 weeks to a month to cruise Long Island sound. I usually buffer the vacation with the O'Day Owner's "rOnDAYvous" the 2nd week of July ( July 15th this summer boys and girls at Raritain Yach Club, Perth Amboy NJ!!!!!) and come home After I race in the Around Long Island Regatta the end of July. This summer I plan on hitting some old spots that I've been to in the past (City Island,Northport, Hempsted, Clinton, Block Island, Stonington) but would like to add either Mystic or Newport, Greenport, Shelter Island and maybe even the Vinyard to the trip, time allowing. I'm never in a rush but always like to see new places.
every summer , I take 3 weeks to a month to cruise Long Island sound. I usually buffer the vacation with the O'Day Owner's "rOnDAYvous" the 2nd week of July ( July 15th this summer boys and girls at Raritain Yach Club, Perth Amboy NJ!!!!!) and come home After I race in the Around Long Island Regatta the end of July. This summer I plan on hitting some old spots that I've been to in the past (City Island,Northport, Hempsted, Clinton, Block Island, Stonington) but would like to add either Mystic or Newport, Greenport, Shelter Island and maybe even the Vinyard to the trip, time allowing. I'm never in a rush but always like to see new places.
Mostly day sailing
We're mostly lake sailors with a 21' Venture. This summer we're dragging the boat down to florida to do a little sailing on both coasts. The plan is Port Charlotte bay and Miami area out to one of the keys(weather permitting). Since we've blocked a few weeks off at the end of june, we might get lucky and be back home before hurricane season hits..
We're mostly lake sailors with a 21' Venture. This summer we're dragging the boat down to florida to do a little sailing on both coasts. The plan is Port Charlotte bay and Miami area out to one of the keys(weather permitting). Since we've blocked a few weeks off at the end of june, we might get lucky and be back home before hurricane season hits..
Mostly Local
I love to sail in a 25-mile radius of my home port, about 10 miles south of Annapolis. Lots of interesting places to go, lots of good marinas and anchorages. Feel lucky to be in this area. Coupla times each summer I either head up to the northern part of the Bay (Still Pond, Chester River,etc) or head south (Solomons Isl, Point Lookout, and perhaps the mouth of the Bay). Also hope to make it up to Block Island this year with the Hunter crowd -- but as crew, not on my boat.
I love to sail in a 25-mile radius of my home port, about 10 miles south of Annapolis. Lots of interesting places to go, lots of good marinas and anchorages. Feel lucky to be in this area. Coupla times each summer I either head up to the northern part of the Bay (Still Pond, Chester River,etc) or head south (Solomons Isl, Point Lookout, and perhaps the mouth of the Bay). Also hope to make it up to Block Island this year with the Hunter crowd -- but as crew, not on my boat.
Sailing time
Two years ago I sailed about two to three days every week. Last year I had three employees quit right before summer started, so I ended up working most of the summer training the new employees. I still got out sailing in Tuesday night races every week for the whole summer. but I didn't get out on my boat more than 4 times the whole season. I bought a bigger boat and moved it this year to bigger water (Green Bay/Lake Michigan) in hopes of getting out more. I'm planning on getting out every week for at least one to two days at a time with a couple of longer trips planned throughout the summer.
Two years ago I sailed about two to three days every week. Last year I had three employees quit right before summer started, so I ended up working most of the summer training the new employees. I still got out sailing in Tuesday night races every week for the whole summer. but I didn't get out on my boat more than 4 times the whole season. I bought a bigger boat and moved it this year to bigger water (Green Bay/Lake Michigan) in hopes of getting out more. I'm planning on getting out every week for at least one to two days at a time with a couple of longer trips planned throughout the summer.
Gunkholes
Pete: I would be interested in gaining local knowledge - I sail out of Havre de Grace, so I only get further than Annapolis about twice a year. I'm not interested in the Eastern Bay - I known it well. I'm looking for gunkholes on the Western shore - I already use Harness Creek, Rhode River, but somewhere fresh would be nice. One criteria - I draw 6' 4" Thanks John
Pete: I would be interested in gaining local knowledge - I sail out of Havre de Grace, so I only get further than Annapolis about twice a year. I'm not interested in the Eastern Bay - I known it well. I'm looking for gunkholes on the Western shore - I already use Harness Creek, Rhode River, but somewhere fresh would be nice. One criteria - I draw 6' 4" Thanks John
Love to cruise but our lake is so small
Most of the time for me it's just weekends (Friday night to Sunday night) night on the boat on a smallish res on the Cheyenne River up here in Western South Dakota. However at least once a year I tow the boat to bigger waters and spend at least two weeks aboard. The LOWISA events(see lowisa.org) on Lake of the Woods (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario) is an annual draw for me. Up there it's sail about three days to get from the US side to the starting point in Ontario (65 miles), then sail the event for a week(20-25 miles a day) then three days back to where I generally haul out. There's another week-long crusing event up there (Kenora, Ontario)immediately preceding the LOWISA that I was also on last year. Might do that again too. Fun buch of people up there and an excellent sailing/cruising/exploring area. The boat is a 21 foot Aquarius sloop rigged pretty well for extended cruising. Took her to Key West in the fall of 2004 and spent about a month on the waters down around there. Headed out toward the Dry Tortugas. Got more than 3/4 of the way there before getting turned back by heavier weather than my crew was comfortable with(darn) so we spent a few days sailing around in the marquesas(sp?)instead. Intend to go back sometime and make it out to Fort Jeff. Just need to pick a better weather window. Would like to slip over to the Bahamas and spend a month or two gunkholing around over there too, but local sailors down there tell me I need to plan ot do that sometime ~other~ than late fall or winter. Notherly winds + Gulf Stream = nasty waves for little 21s.
Most of the time for me it's just weekends (Friday night to Sunday night) night on the boat on a smallish res on the Cheyenne River up here in Western South Dakota. However at least once a year I tow the boat to bigger waters and spend at least two weeks aboard. The LOWISA events(see lowisa.org) on Lake of the Woods (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario) is an annual draw for me. Up there it's sail about three days to get from the US side to the starting point in Ontario (65 miles), then sail the event for a week(20-25 miles a day) then three days back to where I generally haul out. There's another week-long crusing event up there (Kenora, Ontario)immediately preceding the LOWISA that I was also on last year. Might do that again too. Fun buch of people up there and an excellent sailing/cruising/exploring area. The boat is a 21 foot Aquarius sloop rigged pretty well for extended cruising. Took her to Key West in the fall of 2004 and spent about a month on the waters down around there. Headed out toward the Dry Tortugas. Got more than 3/4 of the way there before getting turned back by heavier weather than my crew was comfortable with(darn) so we spent a few days sailing around in the marquesas(sp?)instead. Intend to go back sometime and make it out to Fort Jeff. Just need to pick a better weather window. Would like to slip over to the Bahamas and spend a month or two gunkholing around over there too, but local sailors down there tell me I need to plan ot do that sometime ~other~ than late fall or winter. Notherly winds + Gulf Stream = nasty waves for little 21s.
6-8 weeks in Maine
I usually can avoid enough work to get a month or two of cruising in with occasional breaks. Maybe longer this year. I've always gone East to Maine but may try to get down to Nantucket in the fall.
I usually can avoid enough work to get a month or two of cruising in with occasional breaks. Maybe longer this year. I've always gone East to Maine but may try to get down to Nantucket in the fall.
Local Waters ??
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada, 600 miles from the ocean. My boat Tula, is in a marina out on Canada's West Coast. I sail about 50 days a year, never day-sailing. I live for the day when I can live within a minute's walk of my boat. Will happen one day. Local waters here in Alberta are covered right now in 18 inches of ice. That makes sailing somewhat difficult. My Beneteau Oceanis 390 would not like the piddly little lakes here in Alberta. Some of those lakes are only 40 feet long/wide.
I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada, 600 miles from the ocean. My boat Tula, is in a marina out on Canada's West Coast. I sail about 50 days a year, never day-sailing. I live for the day when I can live within a minute's walk of my boat. Will happen one day. Local waters here in Alberta are covered right now in 18 inches of ice. That makes sailing somewhat difficult. My Beneteau Oceanis 390 would not like the piddly little lakes here in Alberta. Some of those lakes are only 40 feet long/wide.
SF to Monterey
Planning to do a week's trip from SF to Monterey at the end of September, but I'm one crewmember short. Boat is a Catalina 27, OB powered, with dodger, radar, multiple GPS units. The boat and I have done this trip at least 10 times. Stops in Half Moon Bay, Monterey, possibly Moss Landing, and Santa Cruz. The 60NM kite run from HMB to Monterey is AWESOME! 7.0-7.2 knots continuosly (per GPS) on a a boat with a hull speed of 6.2! I've had cirumnavigators do this trip with me that say this is the best day's sail they ever had! Anybody interested?
Planning to do a week's trip from SF to Monterey at the end of September, but I'm one crewmember short. Boat is a Catalina 27, OB powered, with dodger, radar, multiple GPS units. The boat and I have done this trip at least 10 times. Stops in Half Moon Bay, Monterey, possibly Moss Landing, and Santa Cruz. The 60NM kite run from HMB to Monterey is AWESOME! 7.0-7.2 knots continuosly (per GPS) on a a boat with a hull speed of 6.2! I've had cirumnavigators do this trip with me that say this is the best day's sail they ever had! Anybody interested?
Peter from Stockton,
might have to take you up on the crew frfom SF to MB. If you could use a novice at ocean sailing. We should be in the Delta/Bay from April until Sept-Oct. When the time gets close post a message on the Bay Area group.
might have to take you up on the crew frfom SF to MB. If you could use a novice at ocean sailing. We should be in the Delta/Bay from April until Sept-Oct. When the time gets close post a message on the Bay Area group.
Catawba Island to North Channel
Two years ago the Admiral and I took the boat from Lake Erie to the North Channel of Lake Huron with another couple. With it taking 5 days to get there and 5 days to get back, that left only 4 days to spend at the destination. This year I will try to get a couple of hearty friends to dead head up on a 3 day weekend, and throw the anchors onto a friend's island and come back with the Admiral 2 weeks later. Hopefully, this way we can spend most of 2 weeks gunk holing in the North Channel around Killarney and Little Current. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader H380
Two years ago the Admiral and I took the boat from Lake Erie to the North Channel of Lake Huron with another couple. With it taking 5 days to get there and 5 days to get back, that left only 4 days to spend at the destination. This year I will try to get a couple of hearty friends to dead head up on a 3 day weekend, and throw the anchors onto a friend's island and come back with the Admiral 2 weeks later. Hopefully, this way we can spend most of 2 weeks gunk holing in the North Channel around Killarney and Little Current. JohnnyMac S/V Dawn Treader H380
Hey Peter....
Sounds like fun..put me on your crew list. No conditions for me.. just tell me when and where to show up. I sail a C27 ob standard here is So Cal.. longest trip on it has been to Catalina. Love to fly the kite. Joe@joefordhomes.com
Sounds like fun..put me on your crew list. No conditions for me.. just tell me when and where to show up. I sail a C27 ob standard here is So Cal.. longest trip on it has been to Catalina. Love to fly the kite. Joe@joefordhomes.com
Summer adventure
Makingthyme: You are fortunate to live in such a great cruising ground with so many good ports within a easy day's sail. You will love it. John: Look for Trav'ler up in the North Channel as that is where I will be for 3-4 weeks. I am moving my boat from Racine, WI to Olcot, NY this summer. I am leaving Racine on 6/1 and do not need to get to Olcot until late August. Just bought a home ovelooking Lake Ontario midway between Olcot and Wilson. Finally I will live only minutes from my boat.
Makingthyme: You are fortunate to live in such a great cruising ground with so many good ports within a easy day's sail. You will love it. John: Look for Trav'ler up in the North Channel as that is where I will be for 3-4 weeks. I am moving my boat from Racine, WI to Olcot, NY this summer. I am leaving Racine on 6/1 and do not need to get to Olcot until late August. Just bought a home ovelooking Lake Ontario midway between Olcot and Wilson. Finally I will live only minutes from my boat.
Off to the Islands & Canada
The biggest annual event for STARGAZER is the Great Lakes O'Day Owner's Rendezvous on July 28th-30th. We've got BIG PLANS to have a wonderful time in beautiful Leamington, Ontario! Come join us! We also plan trips to Vermilion, Huron, and Pelee Island this summer as well. We can hardly wait! Bill on STARGAZER
The biggest annual event for STARGAZER is the Great Lakes O'Day Owner's Rendezvous on July 28th-30th. We've got BIG PLANS to have a wonderful time in beautiful Leamington, Ontario! Come join us! We also plan trips to Vermilion, Huron, and Pelee Island this summer as well. We can hardly wait! Bill on STARGAZER
For Blue Grace...
Where to start? I know you said you are not interested in Eastern Bay, but have you been to Dividing or Granary Creeks off the Wye Riv? Everyone goes to Shaw Bay, but if you just head up the Wye a few miles these two creeks are well worth it. I also assume you've explored the upper reaches of the Chester Riv? On the Western Shore, you already sound familiar with the Rhode and South Rivers. But have you been a bit further south taking the West River into Galesville? Going further south, Herrington Harbour is worth a visit. You can anchor out in Herring Bay if you are SURE the wx will be good as it is exposed, but better to take a transient slip and enjoy the marina. Lots to do there. Going further south on the western shore, there is not much until you get to Flag Harbor, which is only good for a stopover if you hit bad wx. But 6 miles south is Solomon's Island and it has lots of places to either anchor out or take a slip in. Well worth the trip. If you have time, head up the Pax Riv to Vera's White Sands Marina in Lusby. That place is a Trip! Let me know if you need more.
Where to start? I know you said you are not interested in Eastern Bay, but have you been to Dividing or Granary Creeks off the Wye Riv? Everyone goes to Shaw Bay, but if you just head up the Wye a few miles these two creeks are well worth it. I also assume you've explored the upper reaches of the Chester Riv? On the Western Shore, you already sound familiar with the Rhode and South Rivers. But have you been a bit further south taking the West River into Galesville? Going further south, Herrington Harbour is worth a visit. You can anchor out in Herring Bay if you are SURE the wx will be good as it is exposed, but better to take a transient slip and enjoy the marina. Lots to do there. Going further south on the western shore, there is not much until you get to Flag Harbor, which is only good for a stopover if you hit bad wx. But 6 miles south is Solomon's Island and it has lots of places to either anchor out or take a slip in. Well worth the trip. If you have time, head up the Pax Riv to Vera's White Sands Marina in Lusby. That place is a Trip! Let me know if you need more.
North Channel
Hey John Maybe we will see you up in the North Channel. We will be heading up that way this summer also. Looks like a great place to spend summer
Hey John Maybe we will see you up in the North Channel. We will be heading up that way this summer also. Looks like a great place to spend summer
To Joe of SD and Mel E re: Monterey trip
Re: SF to Monterey trip this fall. Joe, separate e-mail coming with itinerary. Mel E., e-mail me off-line at Selkied@earthlink.net, and I'll e-mail you more info. Thanks! Peter
Re: SF to Monterey trip this fall. Joe, separate e-mail coming with itinerary. Mel E., e-mail me off-line at Selkied@earthlink.net, and I'll e-mail you more info. Thanks! Peter
Impatiently waiting
We still have 1-2 weeks before the ice goes out, it's around 18". 'Sweet Mercy' is out of storage and sitting in the driveway while I re-rig, replace and modify. Our local lake is Big and Little Detroit, it has a sandbar that seperates the two lakes and a channel to connect both. With many restaurants and local watering holes on it's shore, we (all of us sailors) spend our time travelling from one point to another. The sandbar has a water depth between 1 to 2 feet, and is a popular spot to hook out for all water crafts, on a hot weekend the 1/2 mile sandbar is a floating bar. I spend as much time as I can in our 6 month window (Apr-Oct), weekends, evenings and sunset/moonlight cruises (60-80) nights on board, 2 weeks on Lake of the Woods to Kenora, ON Canada and this last winter a week out of St. Augustine, FL. Fair Winds and have an enjoyable summer. David
We still have 1-2 weeks before the ice goes out, it's around 18". 'Sweet Mercy' is out of storage and sitting in the driveway while I re-rig, replace and modify. Our local lake is Big and Little Detroit, it has a sandbar that seperates the two lakes and a channel to connect both. With many restaurants and local watering holes on it's shore, we (all of us sailors) spend our time travelling from one point to another. The sandbar has a water depth between 1 to 2 feet, and is a popular spot to hook out for all water crafts, on a hot weekend the 1/2 mile sandbar is a floating bar. I spend as much time as I can in our 6 month window (Apr-Oct), weekends, evenings and sunset/moonlight cruises (60-80) nights on board, 2 weeks on Lake of the Woods to Kenora, ON Canada and this last winter a week out of St. Augustine, FL. Fair Winds and have an enjoyable summer. David
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