Georgian Bay Boot Camp

GPS Track for the 2 Day Passage

Day 1 - Thornbury Municipal Harbour to Echo Bay

Tuesday - I had arrived the night before and slept on Malaika with Jean-loup in order to have anearly start on the day. After considering the wind and weather forecast, it was decided to head Northwards via the Western Islands in order to anchor in secluded and off the main track Echo Bay in the Eastern archipelago of Georgian Bay near Parry Sound.

We had a nice 15 Knot wind from the West which made for a nice brisk sail to the islands. As per the GPS Track no leeway took effect until closer to the islands. The crossing was pretty easy to handle until I had a few bouts of seasickness - no reason for that to have occurred but it did.

After entering the Small Craft Channel, we had to careful navigate some narrow and shallow channels to get to the anchorage. Very quiet and very pleasant - no development as this was within a local Provincial Park.

Through the evening we prepared our list of ATONS to navigate Southwards through the Small Craft Channel.

A restful and quiet sleep got us ready for the next day.

Day 2 - Echo Bay to Thornbury via Small Craft Channel

Wednesday -After a great breakfast, we starting cruising Southwards along the very well marked channel. All buoys were easy to see, one after another - no difficulties in seeing the next one after getting to the intended approach.

A few hours of this brought us out of the channel just East of Giants Tomb Island. After the motoring it was great to finally get the sails up and head towards Christian Island.

A look at the forecast for Thursday strongly suggested that we keep going all the way back to Thornbury with winds being expected to calm the next day.

It was a very pleasant sail across Nootawasaga Bay after passing past Campana Shoal off the Southeastern tip of Christian Island.

Returning to Thornbury via Nottawasaga Bay from Christian Island

The auto helm again showed off its merits by allowing us to have our dinner mid way across the Bay.

 

Day 3 - Off Thornbury

Thursday -Due to our early arrival to Thornbury the night before, we had today available to do some basic tacking and gybing drills around an outer buoy. We spent a few hours doing this and honing skills and comfort before heading back to eat any remaining leftovers - and returning back to Toronto.

Many thanks to Jean-loup for his patience, his passion and companionship in all things sailing. He can be reached at www.georgianbaysailingcoach.com.