Gemini Delivery to Little Current, Manitoulin Island

 This would be my first boat delivery - a 7 day and 600 nm trip from Port Credit on Lake Ontario to Little Current on Manitoulin Island, I had volunteered to help Jean-loup to get a 35 foot catamaran up north. Some of the trip would be through the night - I love night sailing.

Monday - Day 1 - PC Marina to Port Weller

We left around 3:00 pm for the crossing of Lake Ontario to get to the entry of the Welland Canal locks. After setting the auto helm and the course - after 5 hours it was amazing to arrive exactly on course to the canal entry. Of course there was no wind and no current so nothing less should have been expected. It was an easy motor while checking the boat out and getting to know what was where.

Jean-loup and Patsy Enjoying the Sling Seat

 aAfter entering the canal, we tied up to a wall for the night so that we would be ready to go through the locks first thing in the morning.

Tuesday - Day 2 - Port Weller to Mid Lake Erie

First thing was to call the canal folks and announce our presence in order to enter the lock system. There was a possibility that a waiting ship would go first and would therefore cause a delay for several hours as commercial traffic has priority and recreational traffic does not occupy the same lock when going through the system for safety reasons.

As it happened, we were given the call to go through ahead of the ship and had to spring into action quickly. This was a very welcome turn of events that meant we would get through all 8 locks before the end of the afternoon. Once in Lock 1, 2 long lines were dropped down from the top of the wall to be hauled tight bow and stern as the water level rose - to keep the boat close to the wall. This was an interesting experience to be at the bottom of a high walled concrete canyon - to have water rushing in from below and straining to keep the lines tight as we rose higher and higher.

Once the water had filled the lock, the gate opened to give us access to the upper waterway. Out we went to the next lock. It seemed to be odd that for the whole volume of water that gets processed to fill a lock - we were the only boat that got to enjoy the ride. We were the only boat traffic at the moment but there was  the ship waiting to come through behind us.

There are 8 locks in the system, 3 very close together to get up the escarpment and a very low last step near Lake Erie.

Along the way a good number of lift bridges had to be raised to let us through. A couple of times we had to wait while a ship come down from the other way. At lock 7 we watched the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin barely get through - she is a very wide ship that I am sure scraped the side walls as she slowed came down and out of the lock. There is about 25 nm of waterway connecting all the locks which made for a pleasant journey under clear, blue skies.

Shipping Traffic in the Locks

Much Bigger Than Us!

At Port Colbourne on the edge of Lake Erie - we picked up some supplies and fueled up. Tonight we would be making our first all night passage out and across the length of Lake Erie.

We implemented a watch system - 2 on and 2 off for a three hour rotation. On one watch we picked up a small log that decided to embrace the prop. We also saw a flshing yellow light in the middle of the lake that was uncharted and of mild concern until it was deduced that it was a new weather buoy - similar to others that recently been encountered on Lake Ontario.

Our main navigational challenge was to ensure that we gave Long Point light a wide berth as the spit projected out into the lake a good bit.

Wednesday - Day 3 - Mid Lake Erie to Scudder, Pelee Island

There was little wind but where possible we had the main, jib and/or code zero out to assist on the motor sail. The code zero hadn't been rigged before so it was interesting to figure it out and get it up.

An uneventful day crossing a big body of water. On approach to Pt. Pelee towards the west end of the lake - we had to navigate through some shallower areas and major shipping buoys.

The early evening also brought us a brief thunderstorm that blew through quickly. We prepared by getting in our rain gear and pfd's. All of our mobile electronics were put into the microwave. The wind blew up, waves rose and it was a challenge to keep the boat pointed in the right direction.

After 30 minutes, things started to calm down and we made our way to the marina at Scudder on Pelee Island. We made dock and stay overnight here.

Overnight Stay at Scudder Marina on Pelee Island

Dinner was perch caught from the lake, with chips and beer. A great meal after a long day on the water.

 Thursday - Day 4 - Scudder, Pelee Island to Lake St. Clair

The wind was up today - about 15 knots - so we had a very nice sail to Leamington where we planned to empty the holding tanks and fuel up.

Enroute to Leamington

Fill Up at Leamington Municipal Dock

The vac at Leamington was down so our next option was to hang on and try at Sarnia next day.

The goal for today was to get through the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River through the night for arrival in Sarnia in the morning.

With the help of our GPS charting program we navigated up the Detroit River on the late evening while crossing Lake St. Clair in the night. Some ship traffic come onto us quickly and surprised us a few times. We were always clear but it was disconcerting to not see them until the last moment while their lights were lost in the background lights of the city.

The river segments were quite windy and we had to carefully navigate between the buoys along the way while staying on the starboard side of the channel in order to avoid pssing ship traffic.

Friday - Day 5 - Lake St. Clair to Mid Lake Huron

Morning brought us to the St. Clair River and the approach to Sarnia. We would be docking at a local marina for fuel and a holding tank vac. Nothing much happened other than a ship turning out into the middle of the river forcing us further to the outer part of the channel.

More Shipping Traffic in the St. Clair River

Made for some provisions while in Sarnia in preparation for another big lake crossing of Lake Huron. The wind had picked up so it looked like a good sailing day today.

After departing Sarnia we had some great wind as we sailed northeast across the lake towards Tobermory - similar to what might have been expected as trade wind sailing off the port side beam. As the day progressed we started to see patches of squalls on the western horizon. After a time they got closer and then very close by - but it seemed that we were always in a spot between and therfore always avoided them directly.

The waves were a bit choppy and it was the goal to keep adjusting our course to fine tune how we crossed the waves to minimize the bumping. We had also started to motor sail mid afternoon to help with the chop.

Late evening came on and we developed a 3 person staggered watch system for the night. Wind and waves remained unchanged and it was a steady ride through the night. Saw a few boats on the water, no ships as we were far from normal shipping channels. One sailboat was on a collision course with us but was avoided as we slowed down to let them pass.

A long but satisfying passage that brought us within reach in the morning of the top of the Bruce Peninsula.

Saturday - Day 6 - Mid Lake Huron to Tobermory

As we reached the top of the Bruce Peninsula towards Cape Hurd there was a naviagtional exercise to stay within the Cape Hurd Channel which was the approach from Lake Huron in towards Tobermory. It was well marked and very visible and brought us safely in.

Sailing on Lake Huron

A Replica Sailing Vessel in Tobermory

On arrival into Tobermory - which was a well anticipated stopping point - we fueled up and made arrangements for a marina berth overnight. After two days and nights under passage it was great to be able to stop awhile, get cleaned up and not be on a watch rotation.

It was a very busy Saturday of a long weekend in Tobermory with many people on the streets. After a shower, a nap and some walking around - plans were made to have dinner at a local restaurant on the nearby wharf.

A quiet evening with just one more day on the water to Little Current.

Sunday - Day 7 - Tobermory to Little Current

The early morning departure brought some sunshine as we left Big Tug Harbour. Flowerpot Island shone in the morning light.

Flowerpot Island

Flowerpot and Escarpment

Swing Bridge in Little Current

It was an uneventful motor sail northwards to the beginning of the North Channel.Storm clouds were forming to the west which looked as if to meet up with us as we drove northwards and then west to Little Current.

On approach to Little Current, we had to wait until it was time for the swing bridge to turn allowing us passage through - a short wait and fun to watch.

Unexpectedly, we were treated to a terrific fireworks display as part of weekend festival. One of the best shows that I have ever seen.

Monday - Day 8 - Little Current to Toronto via Parry Sound

We got a drive into Sudbury, then to Parry Sound - where I caught a bus back to Toronto. Traffic was good considering it was a long weekend.

Got picked up at Yorkdale by the Family and home finally after 7 days and 600 nm away.

Lake Ontario 300 Offshore Race - Scotch Bonnet Course

Our GPS Track for the Race

This would be my 2nd long distance offshore race on Lake Ontario. A 190 nm race expected to be over the next 3 days and 2 nights, and again on the Ron Ander boat ALCHEMIST. 

Day 1 - PCYC to Scotch Bonnet Island

 

On a Spinnaker Run Just South of Toronto

Saturday was a clear and sunny day with a good start from PCYC and a long spinnaker run off the North shore of Lake Ontario. Into the evening and the night, it became a challenge to find some wind to keep us moving.

Some of Our Competition to Starboard

A number of boats were seen during the night - all trying to find the right course.

Day 2 - Scotch Bonnet Island to Mid Lake Ontario

In the morning we found some wind that finally took as to the mark at Scotch Bonnet for the rounding Westward. The decision on which tack to take was difficult with neither being an obvious choice to be favourable. The one chosen was felt to provide us with better wind in the middle of the lake but it seemed that we would be returning on the same leg that we had just completed.

After a wind shift which soon died we were now going in the direction we wanted to be going - to the Niagara buoy.

Shipping Traffic

Winds died again through the night and seemed that besides keeping our eyes open for shipping traffic - we were admiring how slow we were going to our destination.

Sunset in the Middle of Lake Ontario

Day 3 - Mid Lake Ontario to PCYC

 

Coming Up to the Niagara Buoy

The morning brought us another beautiful day with the breeze firming up a bit and finally taking us to the mark. After the rounding, the breeze freshened some more and soon enough our boat speed under spinnaker on a close reach (Yes!) was soon 7 Knots.

Using Spinnaker on a Close Reach

It was a quick crossing to PCYC, and with a rousing finish in dousing the spinnaker, making a tack towards the Finish Line we ended up with Line Honours in our Division, but coming in 2nd on PHRF.

See you next year.

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.

Susan Hood Trophy Race

The Start at PCYC - The First Group (under spinnaker) Are Off - Next Groups Jockeying for Position

The Susan Hood Trophy Race would be my first long distance offshore race on Lake Ontario. Through the race crew bank I was able to get a spot on the Ron Ander boat ALCHEMIST, a C&C 29 Mk2. Ron is an avid racer out of Etobicoke Yacht Club.

The race is about 75 nm beginning at Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) then towards Burlington round down to Niagara and back to PCYC. It starts at 8:00pm on a Friday evening sailing all night so that it finishes by Saturday evening, weather permitting.

We had a good start under spinnaker until the winds died completely and bobbing was the state of affairs until the wind picked up about 6 hours later - a very frustrating night. My job through the early evening was sail trim and helm until the early morning when the winds were giving us a good close hauled tack towards the Burlington weather tower.

After a few tacks Saturday morning we were on our way to the Niagara buoy under good winds. The last bit was done under spinnaker and we were all quite giddy with the speed - 8 knots - we had achieved. We elected not to use the spinnaker earlier due to the wave action on the water.

Once the mark had been rounded it was now the final leg home. As the afternoon came on we could see clouds developing into anvils along the North shore of the Lake - trouble was brewing. After watching a few storms cross the horizon and going a number of fog patches, it was our turn to get involved with our own storm scenario. The winds picked up, the rain came, lightning blizted - we got the boat turned completely around in all that upheaval before getting the boat back on course. It was at this time that Ron wisely said we were retiring from the race and heading back to EYC. No one argued against that.

GPS Track of the 2 Day Race

Altogether an interesting experience of all night sailing - although in poor winds. The Saturday sail was rewarding where I helmed a lot of the day. It would have been great to finish the race but no one was interested in extending our storm experiences.

HCSP Basic Cruising Instructor Clinic

I spent 2 weekends early in April taking part in a Basic Cruising Instructor Clinic. It consisted on Classroom, Dockside and on the Water Lessons, focusing on preparation, delivery and teaching techniques.

There were a number of exams to complete and obtain a high score in order to display better than average knowledge of the subject matter for Basic Cruising, PCOC, Collision Regulations and Intermediate Level Cruising.

Rigging the Boat for a Cold Day on the Water

The big challenge was the Single Handed Sailing Test - at times too windy and at times not enough wind. Managed to get it done successfully. What was perceived to be a tough thing to manage became a lot of fun and entirely doable.

Actual Winds on the Day of the Single Handed Sailing Test - Cancelled  After 2 Brave Starters Couldn't Complete

ISPA Coastal Skipper Advanced Sail Course to Desolation Sound

7 Day GPS Track to Desolation Sound

7 days from Nanaimo via the Sunshine Coast (Pender Harbour) to Prideaux Haven, Squirrel Cove via Teakerne Arm, Gorge Harbour, Lund and Secret Cove via Ballet Bay returning to Nanaimo - 265 nm.

Monday, 13 October 2014 - Day 1 - Nanaimo to Pender Harbour - 30.4 nm

After a morning of checks, briefing and preparations - we finally got underway at 1:30 pm for my first crossing of the Strait of Georgia. Herbie took us out of the berth.

Interior Salon of Belle Serena

There was a good bit of wind in the forecast and we had to decide if we were going North  to Desolation Sound, or South to the Gulf Islands. Many of us had never been to Desolation Sound so that was the decision.

Donna and Andy Leading Us on the Crossing

Wind was up from the Southeast at about 15 to 25 Knots. The goal was to get to Pender Harbour for anchor on the first night. A strenuous but entirely do-able crossing.

Once North of the Thormanby's we were sheltered enough to have an easy run in. Somehow I was elected  to navigate and I thought to anchor in Gerrans Bay or Whiskey Slough. It was fun to be back again given that I was just landside with the kids in August.

Anchored in Gerrans Bay or Whiskey Slough

I picked out a spot and we dropped 5:1 rode. An enervating and a successful crossing to the mainland side of the Strait. Pender Harbour arrival was 6:10 pm.

Dinner, a beer and some wine made it a very civilized end to an amazing day of sailing.  

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 - Day 2 - Pender Harbour to Prideaux Haven - 60.8 nm

Not a great sleep as usual, thought that we should settle on role's for the day. I volunteered to be Skipper. We wanted to get as far North as possible, hopefully to Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound. It would bring us in about 6 or 7pm. Roles were for Helm, Nav and Skipper, Dale thought he had the day off and was surprised when he had to handle the sheets.

Leaving Gerrans Bay

All downwind sailing - several gybes that took us back and forth across Malaspina Strait. We had good boat speed, about 7 to 12 Knots and made good progress with 15 to 25 Kts from the Southeast.

Looking South in Malaspina Strait

Low clouds and overcast weather was the order of the day, some sun but no rain..

Towards Texada Island

Once around the corner into Desolation Sound the wind died down as we had more protection. I decided that Melanie Cove would be our anchorage for the night and it was close to 7:00 pm before the hook was down.

Did some Nav on the day and also into Melanie Cove.  It was slow and easy through the entrance and into the Cove. We were the only ones there.

It was a long day on the job but very rewarding. Dinner, a beer and updating of the GPS track and time for bed. 

Wednesday, 15 October 2014 - Day 3 - Prideaux Haven to Squirrel Cove (via Teakerne Arm) - 29.3 nm

A gloomy, overcast and rainy day - just like Captain Vancouver would have known.

Melanie Cove Towards Mike's Place

Melanie Cove Towards Eveleigh Anchorage

Leaving Melanie Cove

Winds were too light, we motored all day. First stop was Teakerne Arm via a short tour part way up Waddington Channel for a look see. At Teakerne Arm we stern tied at the edge of a very steep drop off before taking the trail up to Cassel Lake. A great trail with lots of old rusty logging equipment still to be seen.

Belle Serena Stern Tied

Deserted Logging Equipment

Cassel Lake

Looking Out to Teakerne Arm

Once back to the boat, I was on Helm and drove us up into the notch below the falls as close as possible.

Leaving the Falls

Next destination was Squirrel Cove on the other side of Lewis Channel. We stern tied close to shore in the Cove - not many boats, another quiet stay.

Squirrel Cove - Not Many Boats

Thursday, 16 October 2014 - Day 4 - Squirrel Cove to Gorge Harbour - 27.6 nm

Left at 9:00 am

Got some provisioning done at the Squirrel Cove store

Village of Squirrel Cove

Squirrel Cove Government Dock

Another overcast day. We spent a good part of the day doing docking drills at the Squirrel Cove Government Dock then outside the Cove a bunch of Crew Overboards. Once on our way we encountered soem good wind below Twin Islands and North of Hernando Island and Spilsbury Point.

After giving wide birth around Sutil Point we were headed North to Gorge Harbour. We were planning on eating at the marina but on arrival found it was closed. Moored at the marina anyway meant for a quiet night arriving at 6:30 pm.

Entering Gorge Harbour

Friday, 17 October 2014 - Day 5 - Gorge Harbour to Lund - 25.8 nm

Today I fell down the companionway steps and suffered an agonizing lower back injury - muscle spasms galore.

Left at 8:00 am.

I was on Skipper duty and we were headed to Lund and possibly onwards. Winds were 20 to 25 Kts from the Southeast. My passage plan was way out. I had 13 nm to Lund but we ended up doing 26 nm.

After getting underway we encountered a lot of leeway. Belle Serena is a shallow draft boat so there was a lot of slippage.

Sailing Around Sutil Point

Got to Lund moored on the dock at 1:30 pm. Went to Nancy's for something to eat - very good but back was sore. Weather was not looking good to carry on so we ended up staying overnight with a schedule early start next day.

Had a weather and engine lecture. Also went to the Boardwalk Restaurant for a great evening meal. Slept very poorly due to back pain.

Saturday, 18 October 2014 - Day 6 - Lund to Secret Cove (via Ballet Bay) - 61.0 nm

Woke up and left very early at 5:00 am for a few hours of night sailing down the Malaspina Strait towards Ballet Bay. Did all of the Nav things - running fixes, list of lights, etc. Motored most of the way and then sailed a few hours into the anchorage at Ballet Bay at 2:00 pm.

Towards Hardy Island

Ballet Bay

Took a lunch break, made salmon salad wraps, did some double anchoring w. trip line and then we left Ballet Bay at 6:00pm for a night sail to Secret Cove.

Had a few disagreements with the depth sounder enroute - it disputed the fact that we had some very deep water under us a few times.

Arrived to anchor in Secret Cove at 10:00pm and tucked in for the night.

It was a very grueling and tiring day what with the injured and spasming back issues. Lack of sleep didn't help. But lots of great night sailing and navigating to get here.

Sunday, 19 October 2014 - Day 7 - Secret Cove to Nanaimo - 28.5 nm

Leaving Secret Cove

Slept in somewhat and finally left Secret Cove at 10:20 am for the crossing back to Nanaimo. Nice sailing with wind from the Southeast at 15 Knots.

Towards North Thormanby Island

On the crossing about halfway - we encountered a small pod of Orca, probably Transients - what a thrill!

A Pod of Orca

Took one tack East of Nanoose Bay and then  I motored us into the Fuel Dock before Paul took us into the berth at Stones.

It was a great course with fantastic scenery and destinations.

A quick pack and cleanup and then Paul dropped me off at Buccaneer Inn. Rest, recuperation and a shower. Movement and sleep were difficult. Traveling back to Toronto on Monday would be a challenge.