Is pleasure boating pleasurable in the great white north?? Specifically the St Lawerence Seaway??? If one was to do the great circle route through the st lawerence it would be an adventure. But getting through canada might be a problem. It is a long way from Montreal to Chicago over 1200 miles. Is this doable in one summer?? Leave Chesapeak Bay and head north in the spring. Could you be in Chicago before it gets too cold? Back in Mobile before the alligators hibernate?? Would it seem like winter all summer for us from the south??
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Tom I considered such a trip up the
Hudson River through Lake Champlain down the Richelieu River then the St. Lawrence then east to the maritimes and down the east coast. Going west would be farther but not by more than a month. I think mostly it would depend on how much time you spent visiting and how much time you were underway.
Hudson River through Lake Champlain down the Richelieu River then the St. Lawrence then east to the maritimes and down the east coast. Going west would be farther but not by more than a month. I think mostly it would depend on how much time you spent visiting and how much time you were underway.
The Great White North
Tom, My wife and I sail the St. Lawrence every summer, we did the Lake Champlain to Massena, NY trip in 2000 and took one week, we could've done it quicker but we wanted to enjoy the trip, a night here, two nights there. We launch in mid May and haul in Oct., last summer we could've stayed much later, we had great weather, there is time to enjoy "our" end of it and do let us know if your going through here. Fair and Following winds Ron & Anne
Tom, My wife and I sail the St. Lawrence every summer, we did the Lake Champlain to Massena, NY trip in 2000 and took one week, we could've done it quicker but we wanted to enjoy the trip, a night here, two nights there. We launch in mid May and haul in Oct., last summer we could've stayed much later, we had great weather, there is time to enjoy "our" end of it and do let us know if your going through here. Fair and Following winds Ron & Anne
Question for Ron
When you take the trip from Lake Champlain to Massena, NY and turn West onto the St. Lawrence is it reasonable to navigate the St. Lawrence with a 9.9 hp on a Hunter 23? Thanks, Roger
When you take the trip from Lake Champlain to Massena, NY and turn West onto the St. Lawrence is it reasonable to navigate the St. Lawrence with a 9.9 hp on a Hunter 23? Thanks, Roger
1,200 miles in one summer...
do the math: 1200 miles in 1/2 a year or 175 days. If you move each and every day, that 7 miles a day required to get there. Of course, you don't mention staying over at places, or getting back to warm weather. I recommend reading the references mentioned in an associated discussion this week, specifically greatloop.com, which would answer your question in terms of miles covered and time required. See: http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?&fno=21&uid=73200280089&sku=2007029172135.4
do the math: 1200 miles in 1/2 a year or 175 days. If you move each and every day, that 7 miles a day required to get there. Of course, you don't mention staying over at places, or getting back to warm weather. I recommend reading the references mentioned in an associated discussion this week, specifically greatloop.com, which would answer your question in terms of miles covered and time required. See: http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pviewall.tpl?&fno=21&uid=73200280089&sku=2007029172135.4
Stu it's more than 1200 miles
Straight lines from Montreal to Chicago is 1200 odd miles. But I am interested in sailing north during the summer and being back south before it gets cold. So this would mean leaving Mobile in early spring or late winter and sailing around the east coast and moving north with the weather. I've been to Boston in Febuary and wouldn't want to be there in a boat that time of year. But maybe June would be fine. I've been to Boston in early july and it was very nice. Boston is the fartherest north that I've been on th eeast coast. If I was in lower lake Michigan in September or early October that would be OK. Tennessee and Northern Alabama/Mississippi in October and November can be great. I think that Lake Michigan warms up in the summer. Warm is relative I'm sure that it doesn't get up into the upper 80's like the Gulf of Mexico. I've been ice fishing in MN and it wasn't that much fun. Liquid water preferably warm is my preference.
Straight lines from Montreal to Chicago is 1200 odd miles. But I am interested in sailing north during the summer and being back south before it gets cold. So this would mean leaving Mobile in early spring or late winter and sailing around the east coast and moving north with the weather. I've been to Boston in Febuary and wouldn't want to be there in a boat that time of year. But maybe June would be fine. I've been to Boston in early july and it was very nice. Boston is the fartherest north that I've been on th eeast coast. If I was in lower lake Michigan in September or early October that would be OK. Tennessee and Northern Alabama/Mississippi in October and November can be great. I think that Lake Michigan warms up in the summer. Warm is relative I'm sure that it doesn't get up into the upper 80's like the Gulf of Mexico. I've been ice fishing in MN and it wasn't that much fun. Liquid water preferably warm is my preference.
Tom, I understand
So you can plan your trip to stay with good (warmer) weather. I was simply trying to answer your basic question. The greatloops website says this: "After formulating your general plan, break the cruise up into smaller legs, allowing plenty of time to accomplish them in comfort without putting a hardship on your vessel or crew. Plan to run no more than 6-8 hours a day or more than 4 or 5 days in a row. You need time to relax, get groceries, handle correspondence, do laundry and maintain the boat. We usually covered 30 to 50 miles per day, which translated into 150-200 miles per week or 600-700 per month. This left time to sit out storms and travel when we were comfortable and safe." I'm sure you can find more info as you progress with your plans.
So you can plan your trip to stay with good (warmer) weather. I was simply trying to answer your basic question. The greatloops website says this: "After formulating your general plan, break the cruise up into smaller legs, allowing plenty of time to accomplish them in comfort without putting a hardship on your vessel or crew. Plan to run no more than 6-8 hours a day or more than 4 or 5 days in a row. You need time to relax, get groceries, handle correspondence, do laundry and maintain the boat. We usually covered 30 to 50 miles per day, which translated into 150-200 miles per week or 600-700 per month. This left time to sit out storms and travel when we were comfortable and safe." I'm sure you can find more info as you progress with your plans.
Should not be a problem
I live in the "Great White North" and we sail in Nova Scotia from May to October without too many folks being found frozen to death with tiller in a death grip. I think it would be a great trip! I used to live in Montreal and I sailed with a friend in the St Lawrence every week - lots of places to stop and things to see. If you're moving "clockwise" you should have no trouble (going with the flow) but there is a lot of commercial traffic to deal with - although the St Lawrence is a good size river for the most part. The Atlantic coast through the maritimes I think would be the best part of the trip (biased opinion). There is great sailing here and lots of friendly folks. If you plan to do the trip, I'm sure we could find enough Canadians with local knowledge of various pieces of the journey to make it a lot easier. In summer the prevailing winds along the coast of Nova Scotia are South-West for the most part. I am just finishing an interesting book by "Silver" Donald Cameron called "Sailing Away From Winter" which describes a 2004 trip from Cape Breton to Florida along the ICW which is very interesting - good luck and stop thinking about it, just do it. Dave Muise
I live in the "Great White North" and we sail in Nova Scotia from May to October without too many folks being found frozen to death with tiller in a death grip. I think it would be a great trip! I used to live in Montreal and I sailed with a friend in the St Lawrence every week - lots of places to stop and things to see. If you're moving "clockwise" you should have no trouble (going with the flow) but there is a lot of commercial traffic to deal with - although the St Lawrence is a good size river for the most part. The Atlantic coast through the maritimes I think would be the best part of the trip (biased opinion). There is great sailing here and lots of friendly folks. If you plan to do the trip, I'm sure we could find enough Canadians with local knowledge of various pieces of the journey to make it a lot easier. In summer the prevailing winds along the coast of Nova Scotia are South-West for the most part. I am just finishing an interesting book by "Silver" Donald Cameron called "Sailing Away From Winter" which describes a 2004 trip from Cape Breton to Florida along the ICW which is very interesting - good luck and stop thinking about it, just do it. Dave Muise
Navigating the St. Lawrence
Roger, On our trip from Sorel,P.Q., we caught up with a man and his daughter on a 24 footer with 9.9hp who had to be in Kingston Ont. in two days, we caught up to him up river from the Behaurnois locks, the Brockville Narrows have a 4 knot current but no-one seems to mind unless your on a tight timetable. The trip can be done and it is a ball. Finnaly, we go to the Cayuga Lake area on our way to Bath, maybe we can get together, my e-mail is rnaroy@earthlink.net. Ron
Roger, On our trip from Sorel,P.Q., we caught up with a man and his daughter on a 24 footer with 9.9hp who had to be in Kingston Ont. in two days, we caught up to him up river from the Behaurnois locks, the Brockville Narrows have a 4 knot current but no-one seems to mind unless your on a tight timetable. The trip can be done and it is a ball. Finnaly, we go to the Cayuga Lake area on our way to Bath, maybe we can get together, my e-mail is rnaroy@earthlink.net. Ron
Research
Tom, Please do some more research. If you read Cruising World you will be aware that the Northern Channel is considered to be in there top 5 crusing destinations in the world. You might not have enough time to get up and back in the time you wish, however temperatures from mid May to mid Sept are far from the "Great White North". After all your travel through the lakes would be further south than the majority of the North western states. I hope you have a chance to enjoy it. Should you decide to make the trip, please let us know as we would be happy to entertain you when you make it to Lake Ontario.
Tom, Please do some more research. If you read Cruising World you will be aware that the Northern Channel is considered to be in there top 5 crusing destinations in the world. You might not have enough time to get up and back in the time you wish, however temperatures from mid May to mid Sept are far from the "Great White North". After all your travel through the lakes would be further south than the majority of the North western states. I hope you have a chance to enjoy it. Should you decide to make the trip, please let us know as we would be happy to entertain you when you make it to Lake Ontario.
Tom - the Great lakes are Great!
Tom, You can do the distance in the time you have with a chance to look around and enjoy. The weather is warm (and quite hot at times) from early June through to early September in the Great Lakes. It can get a bit windy and rainy at times from mid September onwards. When we first got the latest boat we picked it up in Toronto and cruised East to the 1000 islands in the St. Lawrence and then back West through Lake Ontario, the Welland ship canal, Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River up though to home part way up Lake Huron - 872 miles in all in 23 days (including stop overs in quite a few places). The North Channel of Lake Huron (between Manitoulin Island and the Ontario mainland) is one of the best cruising grounds in the world (as has already been said. Georgian Bay area (almost as large as Lake Ontario) is great with the 30,000 islands. I understand that Lake Michigan has some great cruising areas as well (although we haven't made it yet). I highly recommend the Ports Cruising Guides - one for Lake Ontario and another for Georgian Bay and the North Channel and Lake Huron. They are better than any I have seen. You can see for yourself what cruising in these areas looks like on my website http://www.shimarak.net - click through to select Sailing in the menu. By the way - my avatar is taken in the North Channel.
Tom, You can do the distance in the time you have with a chance to look around and enjoy. The weather is warm (and quite hot at times) from early June through to early September in the Great Lakes. It can get a bit windy and rainy at times from mid September onwards. When we first got the latest boat we picked it up in Toronto and cruised East to the 1000 islands in the St. Lawrence and then back West through Lake Ontario, the Welland ship canal, Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River up though to home part way up Lake Huron - 872 miles in all in 23 days (including stop overs in quite a few places). The North Channel of Lake Huron (between Manitoulin Island and the Ontario mainland) is one of the best cruising grounds in the world (as has already been said. Georgian Bay area (almost as large as Lake Ontario) is great with the 30,000 islands. I understand that Lake Michigan has some great cruising areas as well (although we haven't made it yet). I highly recommend the Ports Cruising Guides - one for Lake Ontario and another for Georgian Bay and the North Channel and Lake Huron. They are better than any I have seen. You can see for yourself what cruising in these areas looks like on my website http://www.shimarak.net - click through to select Sailing in the menu. By the way - my avatar is taken in the North Channel.
thoughts from a Great Lakes sailor of 25 + years
Malcom is right about weather. I would say if you are in Chicago by mid october you are fine. Most of my GL experience is in L Mich. October is a good month to travel south on the lake. You will need layover days as there can be some nasty, cool weather in early Oct, but also some of the best sailing, especially southbound, is in store. Northerly winds often kick up 6 footers on the lake, and though producing steep waves, it offers fabulous downwind sailing in surfing conditions. I would be quite satisfied to find myself around Green Bay or Traverse Bay at the end of September if planning to be in Chicago by mid October. If I chose the Eastern side of L M I would not want to miss Leland, Grand Haven, or Saugatuck. Going the western shore I would want to hit Washington Island, Fish Creek and Port Washingtin. If I was running ahead of schedule I would either spend a few days in Traverse Bay on the east side, or Fayette on the NW side. Malcom is also on target re the North Channel. I would reccommend at least 2 weeks - which won't be enough. I have chartered in the Keys, the BVI and Belize and the channel is easily in the same class. The Channel has more to explore than the BVI. The Channel is more challenging in terms of navigation than the other cruising grounds. As far as time is concerned, if you are really pressed, the Great lakes can be travelled from the mouth of the St Lawrence at L Ontario in 2 weeks. I have not made the trip in that time span, but do know those who have. I took 3 months this past summer to go from Milwaukee to Lake Ontario, but did so very liesurly. Getting from Lake Ontario to the upper lakes has two possible routes. One is the Welland Canal connecting Erie to Ontario and one needS to plan 24 straight hours to go through the Welland. Alternate route is the Trent Severn canal which you would pick up near Kingston, ON not far from the St L. I would not do this route, from experience, unless you draw less than 5 feet. The Trent is a great way to go and will allow one to skip Lake Erie. Your mast must be dropped and carried on deck, so the entire route is motored, but the route is through beautiful country and unique towns to be visited. You would encounter some 43 locks along the way, each one an adventure in its own right. This includes several lift locks and one lock that puts you on a railroad passage, pulling your boat entirely out of the water. Cost for the Trent is under $200. Cost for the Welland is similar. Either way, you have to pay.
Malcom is right about weather. I would say if you are in Chicago by mid october you are fine. Most of my GL experience is in L Mich. October is a good month to travel south on the lake. You will need layover days as there can be some nasty, cool weather in early Oct, but also some of the best sailing, especially southbound, is in store. Northerly winds often kick up 6 footers on the lake, and though producing steep waves, it offers fabulous downwind sailing in surfing conditions. I would be quite satisfied to find myself around Green Bay or Traverse Bay at the end of September if planning to be in Chicago by mid October. If I chose the Eastern side of L M I would not want to miss Leland, Grand Haven, or Saugatuck. Going the western shore I would want to hit Washington Island, Fish Creek and Port Washingtin. If I was running ahead of schedule I would either spend a few days in Traverse Bay on the east side, or Fayette on the NW side. Malcom is also on target re the North Channel. I would reccommend at least 2 weeks - which won't be enough. I have chartered in the Keys, the BVI and Belize and the channel is easily in the same class. The Channel has more to explore than the BVI. The Channel is more challenging in terms of navigation than the other cruising grounds. As far as time is concerned, if you are really pressed, the Great lakes can be travelled from the mouth of the St Lawrence at L Ontario in 2 weeks. I have not made the trip in that time span, but do know those who have. I took 3 months this past summer to go from Milwaukee to Lake Ontario, but did so very liesurly. Getting from Lake Ontario to the upper lakes has two possible routes. One is the Welland Canal connecting Erie to Ontario and one needS to plan 24 straight hours to go through the Welland. Alternate route is the Trent Severn canal which you would pick up near Kingston, ON not far from the St L. I would not do this route, from experience, unless you draw less than 5 feet. The Trent is a great way to go and will allow one to skip Lake Erie. Your mast must be dropped and carried on deck, so the entire route is motored, but the route is through beautiful country and unique towns to be visited. You would encounter some 43 locks along the way, each one an adventure in its own right. This includes several lift locks and one lock that puts you on a railroad passage, pulling your boat entirely out of the water. Cost for the Trent is under $200. Cost for the Welland is similar. Either way, you have to pay.
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