Thanks David
Very good information. We have sailed Lake Ontario for the past 13 years, and have our favorite spots to visit. Coming from the Welland Canal, I suggest navigating the lake in a clockwise direction. Since you have 8 weeks, there is plenty of time to see it all. Port Dalhousie. We have stayed at the Pier Marina as well as DYC. They have a quaint town that can get noisy when the college kids visit the pubs. Port Credit. We have the Hunter Rendezvous at the Credit Village Marina. The town is very close by, but just a hint of how close you can be to a town when you go to Toronto. Toronto. We have stayed at a few yacht clubs and only one marina on the several trips there. If you can get in near the National Yacht Club, you are at the doorstep of the CN Tower and downtown Toronto. Public transportation is very good and there is so much to do I couldn't begin to put it all down. Cobourg. Our next favorite spot heading east. We have stayed at places in between and most are good. One place that is closed and may still be in old ports books is Oshawa. Cobourg has an excellent marina next to the town. They even offer free bicycles for the boaters to use. Beware if you go there July 1 - 3 because the Harborfest is very popular and fills up quick. Plan on arriving 4 to 5 days early if you want a dock. It is worth going to with art and craft shows and the fair and fireworks. NICE! Presqu'ile Bay. Some of the best sailing in the area is entered here. Take the Murray Canal, enter the Bay of Quite, and head for Bellville. We usually stay at the Meyers Pier Marina. Once again, the town is in walking distance and there are many places to visit. Picton: You will have a great sail getting there at the southern extension of Adolphus Reach and Long Reach. The town is up the hill and like the others, only a short walk to all of the shops. Kingston. This will be your last stop before entering the St. Lawrence River. Last year was our first cruise to the Thousand Islands. We went in the off season in September. There are parks at several of the islands where they have some mooring balls and docks. Of course there is anchoring in many spots. The summertime I am told that it is difficult to find a ball or dock because it is a favorite summer vacation for the many power-boaters. Alexandria Bay. This is where you check into U.S. Customs on the north side of Heart Island. When we were there, we looked for sailboat masts at the marinas and didn't see many, so we went on to. Clayton. We stayed at the French Creek Marina, an odd spot with 2 docking sites, one on French Creek that you can't get to in a sailboat, and the other near a shipyard. The nice thing there is the old boat museum. A modern building with all of those lovely wooden boats. Sackets Harbor. Navy Point Marine is there and will sell you a new Catalina if you are looking for one. Nice town, great restaurants, nice visit. Oswego. Kind of industrialized, but I hear they have a great harborfest. Sodus Bay. Several marinas and a yacht club close to the village. A popular place in the summer months with several restaurants and bubs to satisfy your taste buds. Rochester. My home. We are docked at Shumway Marina even though we are members of the Genesee Yacht Club. They only have 50 docks, and with 150 members, there aren't enough to go to everybody. Don't expect to walk into Rochester, it isn't on the shore. It does have the Genesee River going through it and is the third largest city in New York. Point Breeze Oak Orchard. A quiet getaway if the lake weather is acting up. There is a good County Marine Park to dock. Not too much to see close-by. Wilson. Very nice area with marinas and yacht clubs. A short walk to town. Niagara-On-The-Lake. Back to Canada and the last stop before the Welland Canal (unless to stay at the marina there). The Sailing Club is right on the Niagara River and has quite a current. I am not sure how they work it for non-reciprocating clubs. Located in the heart of the wine belt and one of Canada's most popular theatrical centers. Up the river is Niagara Falls, where you can spend a lot of time site-seeing. WHEW! I really didn't expect to write this much. I skipped a number of places, but if you pick up a copy of The Cruising Guides "Ports" book, you will find all you every need to know. Have fun and good luck.
