georgian bay

[fred1diver]

has anyone been to the georgian bay more specifically in the Tobermory region, with a swing keel boat? I'm probably going to go there with my son for our holidays, and I'm looking for info about the sailing conditions in that area
thanks in advance
Fred

 

[David in Sandusky]

Tobermory is a great port, and very well protected. There is a good anchorage in Cove Island to the northwest, and three around Dunk Point to the southeast: Dunks Bay, Little Cove, and Driftwood Cove.

It's not cheap to join, but the Great Lakes Cruising Club is by far the best source of detailed sailing info for the Great Lakes, especially for the North Channel, and Georgian Bay.

I don't think having a swing keel makes much difference. We all need to know how to read charts! Around Tobermory, most of the water is quite deep. The entrance to Cove Island Harber is a little tricky, the others are easy.

Good luck on your trip, it's beautiful country.

 

[David in Sandusky]

About the weather, 2 rules have kept us safe in 17 years of cruising the Great Lakes:

1. Carry an iPhone or equivalent with a real time weather radar app. It's easy to see a front coming your direction with such an app. Don't head out if a front may catch up with you before you reach a safe harbor/anchorage.

2. On warm summer days, get to a safe harbor/anchorage before 4 PM. This will avoid most of the "pop up storms" that can appear after that time in the afternoon.

Enjoy your time in Tobermory and the Georgian Bay. We sure did!

 

[fred1diver]

cool, thanks David

 

[Scott B]

17 years? iPhone? weather apps? radar apps? I wish I had all that 8 yrs. ago. Georgian Bay can be great sailing, it can also be "interesting". Just check the forecasts and keep an eye on the weather radar. We get pop-ups on perfectly fine days.

12:30

4:30

 

[David in Sandusky]

Before the iPhone, it was radar on the TV at a marina, or whatever. NOAA or the Canadian equivalent will give us a good warning, but I've always preferred a picture.

 

[Scott B]

That was day 3 of our trip, no marinas and out in the middle of Georgian Bay. Had left the anchorage at 6:00 am to a sunny forecast. Now I just keep an eye on radar on the phone, although would not have seen that one coming first thing in the morning anyways.

 

[fred1diver]

cool, thanks all for your input, my son and I can't wait to go