Ontario sailing / berthing

[agprice22]

Anyone here keep his/her boat in Upstate New York on Lake Ontario? I would like to hear about the prevailing winds, water conditions, marina costs, etc.

I have been sailing the Finger Lakes the last few seasons, and I am moving up to an O'Day 272. I would like to know if others consider this an appropriate boat for Lake Ontario.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[25yearslater]

Hello Ag. I keep my Oday 27 at the Orleans County Marine Park at Point Breeze. This is 20 odd miles west of Rochester and 30 odd miles east of Buffalo. $900 for a 24 foot dock and $1000 for a 27 foot for the season approx 6 months. Winds are prevailing westerlies but this year a significant numer were NE. Everything from dead calm to sky is the limit. I have sailed at least once a week since mid April and will haul in early October. The waves are short interval and steep when the wind is up. The rates in Rochester will run upwards of $2200 for a 272 and will be similar in Sodus Bay. If you do come up to the big water, take your time getting used to it. Once you get a taste for it get ready to have some of the best times sailing anywhere in the world. Ontario offers a foreign country with many ports and the US has as many deep water ports to explore as well as the Thousand Islands. Hope this helps.

 

[25yearslater]

PS there is a 272 a few docks north of me and he enjoys Lake Ontario sailing as well.

 

[agprice22]

Thanks! Splendid! Sounds like paradise to me. We often get light winds or eddying winds on the Finger Lakes, at least Cayuga and Seneca. The slip fees aren't any cheaper either. I would love to sail a beam reach for 2 hours, turn around and sail a beam reach home. On these narrow lakes, we tack back and forth every 15 minutes, and, at times, the traffic is crazy near the base of the lake.

Thanks!

Andrew

 

[25yearslater]

That sounds exactly like the type of sailing that is most common for the daysail type trip. Heading east is often a run and west a close reach but on some rare occasions a southerly offshore wind presents itself which is both warm and enjoyable especially at night. The nights even in the heat of summer are often quite chilly and require a jacket. I wear raingear for comfort at night. I am sure you will love the options Ontario offers.