I saw a nice little waterfront house for sale in St. Anne des Monts, Quebec on the St. Lawrence. The proximity of great skiing and hiking really attracted me, but sailing comes first. Friends who have little or no sailing experience warned me that sailing in the St. Lawrence is tough due to strong currents. Is it really that bad? I am a good sailor but I do not kid myself that I am a Montessier. Anyone have any facts they can share? Thank you. Jim
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Duane Cady
Its sailable...
I grew up near Ogdensburg, NY - across the St. Lawrence river from Prescott and Brockville Ont. The current is indeed swift and the prevailing wind usually comes from that same direction - so sailing can be a bit tough if you are going upstream and want to get anywhere quickly. The thousand-islands area is beautiful, and worth the trip. On both sides of the river there are plenty of parks with dockage. Growing up there, and sailing on the St. Lawrence is what gave me the sailing bug - I woldnt trade any of the experiences I had there for anything. I guess it depends on what kind of sailing you do, how big your boat is, and what you plan to do with it. Duane s/v Tara Marie
I grew up near Ogdensburg, NY - across the St. Lawrence river from Prescott and Brockville Ont. The current is indeed swift and the prevailing wind usually comes from that same direction - so sailing can be a bit tough if you are going upstream and want to get anywhere quickly. The thousand-islands area is beautiful, and worth the trip. On both sides of the river there are plenty of parks with dockage. Growing up there, and sailing on the St. Lawrence is what gave me the sailing bug - I woldnt trade any of the experiences I had there for anything. I guess it depends on what kind of sailing you do, how big your boat is, and what you plan to do with it. Duane s/v Tara Marie
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Ron Roy
We, my wife and I , have been sailing the St. Lawrence for some 13 years. We have gone up river from the Eisenhower Lock at Massena for two week vacations and I would highly recomend it. We have met sailors from Montreal who typicaly motor to Alex Bay then, I would suppose, sail there. Also, don't forget you would not be far from Lake Champlain, outstanding sailing. Fair winds
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Peter J. Brennan
Circumnavigate New England?
What would it take to sail up the Hudson from New York City to Lake Champlain and thence to the St. Lawrence and out to the Atlantic and back down to New York?
What would it take to sail up the Hudson from New York City to Lake Champlain and thence to the St. Lawrence and out to the Atlantic and back down to New York?
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Doug Merrill
New Cruising Guide
There is a new cruising guide out that details a voyage from New York to Lake Ontario down the St Lawrence and back to New York. A Complete Cruising Guide to the Down East Circle Route The attached link locates the book at the Nautical Mind bookstore
There is a new cruising guide out that details a voyage from New York to Lake Ontario down the St Lawrence and back to New York. A Complete Cruising Guide to the Down East Circle Route The attached link locates the book at the Nautical Mind bookstore
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Claude L.-Auger
Fabulous sailing
You don't need to be Montessier to sail out there, but you do need to know what you are doing. The St-Lawrence river in the Ste-Anne-des-Monts area is approximately 45 miles wide. Very cold salt water, frequent fog (because of cold water), very strong currents (well charted), katabatic winds near shore (because of mountains creating difference in heat range with the water temperature), long distances between safe harbors, few anchoring places, it is a very inhospitable coast ! Be prepared to dress warmly, even in the middle of summer. Last year, during my visit there, temperatures dropped in the mid-40s, and the boat(1984 Hunter 34) was sweating because of the condensation from the little electric heater plugged in to kill the dampness when in harbor. You can wear a polar fleece and a bathing suit the same day. Unless you're a real diehard (or less than 12 years old), you will not do any swimming in that area. Ste-Anne-des-Monts regularly sees tides of 15 feet, but offer a great safeharbor for pleasure crafts, within walking distance of nice restaurants and food stores. Besides, the locals will either give you a ride or loan their car. Why do I keep going back ? Because of the fantastic sailing, because of the wild and extremely beautiful nature, because of the whales, the belugas, and because of the hospitality of the people you meet. Oh yes, I almost forgot: because of the challenges that it presents. Last year, I soloed my 34 for 3 weeks in that area, covering about 1200 miles. If you're looking for an area to cruise in that does not really see a lot of pleasure crafts, if you do not mind mingling with the local fishermen in the harbors along the coast (more harbors and lesser distances between them on the south side of the river), then do yourself a favor and come for a visit. I am in my late 50 (pushing 60 this year), and I figure anybody can probably do the same as I do. It's a matter of being careful, and preaparing the boat and yourself properly, with the right equipment (I have radar, 2 GPS, autopilot, and use my laptop for electronic navigation as well as keeping up-to-date charts. Good luck
You don't need to be Montessier to sail out there, but you do need to know what you are doing. The St-Lawrence river in the Ste-Anne-des-Monts area is approximately 45 miles wide. Very cold salt water, frequent fog (because of cold water), very strong currents (well charted), katabatic winds near shore (because of mountains creating difference in heat range with the water temperature), long distances between safe harbors, few anchoring places, it is a very inhospitable coast ! Be prepared to dress warmly, even in the middle of summer. Last year, during my visit there, temperatures dropped in the mid-40s, and the boat(1984 Hunter 34) was sweating because of the condensation from the little electric heater plugged in to kill the dampness when in harbor. You can wear a polar fleece and a bathing suit the same day. Unless you're a real diehard (or less than 12 years old), you will not do any swimming in that area. Ste-Anne-des-Monts regularly sees tides of 15 feet, but offer a great safeharbor for pleasure crafts, within walking distance of nice restaurants and food stores. Besides, the locals will either give you a ride or loan their car. Why do I keep going back ? Because of the fantastic sailing, because of the wild and extremely beautiful nature, because of the whales, the belugas, and because of the hospitality of the people you meet. Oh yes, I almost forgot: because of the challenges that it presents. Last year, I soloed my 34 for 3 weeks in that area, covering about 1200 miles. If you're looking for an area to cruise in that does not really see a lot of pleasure crafts, if you do not mind mingling with the local fishermen in the harbors along the coast (more harbors and lesser distances between them on the south side of the river), then do yourself a favor and come for a visit. I am in my late 50 (pushing 60 this year), and I figure anybody can probably do the same as I do. It's a matter of being careful, and preaparing the boat and yourself properly, with the right equipment (I have radar, 2 GPS, autopilot, and use my laptop for electronic navigation as well as keeping up-to-date charts. Good luck
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