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**hpeer** · 26-12-2015, 11:21

If all goes well sometime around May or June we will be leaving Delaware to take our small boat back to Newfoundland via the Erie Canal.

I had originally thought of doing PEI and the Madgelleans but that adds about 400 miles to a 2,200 mile trip so we may just stay on the North Shore.

seadrift · 31-12-2015, 10:47

That's an interesting trip..... I assume you are going to or around the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland? If so, yours is the most direct route, other than taking the Richelieu Canal from Lake Champlain to the St Lawrence.

But the north shore east of Grandes Bergeronnes does look a bit hostile on charts: not a lot of harbours and forbiddingly rocky east of Sept-Isles. Am I thinking too cautiously?

In 2014 I found the south shore (north shore of Gaspe) had nicely spaced small marinas. I jumped from Chandler to the Magdalens, then to northern Cape Breton before heading down to Halifax. I could equally as easily crossed the Cabot Strait to Newfoundland.

**hpeer** · 31-12-2015, 13:38

Yeah, I've been looking at it and using google earth to pick out potential anchorages. Not a lot of info about that stretch. A few years ago I went from Stephenville, NL to Herrington Harbour and then up to Battle Harbour. That was a nice stretch and I had a good fast run. I didn't stop much and missed Red Bay. But I've also gone up the NL side and been pretty stressed out. It's a crap shoot through there I think. I've seen some pretty stiff wind driven currents.

seadrift · 31-12-2015, 15:33

It looks as though CHS Sailing Directions 109 & 110 are the best bet. I studied them while considering a Gulf of St Lawrence north shore trip. They did not make me any more confident...
Are you heading for Stephenville or Cornerbrook?

Mike OReilly · 31-12-2015, 16:09

Our boat is currently located in Belleville ON, on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. We're planning to sail out the St. Lawrence and make our way to Lewisporte, NFLD. So far I've collected the charts, and this guide, although I haven't spent much time studying them yet:

I plan to visit the Saguenay, and linger wherever it is fun. We don't really have any deadline. Just to get there before the snow flies I guess.

mikemenza · 31-12-2015, 16:34

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

New York State Canals

**hpeer** · 31-12-2015, 18:20

I need to download the sailing directions.

I do have the Puffin press sailing guide to the St Lawrence and also Newfoundland. The St Lawrence guide was recently updated.

Mike, I haven't seen that one yet. Any good? Up to date?

Active Captain covers the St Lawrence moderately.

Lewisporte is Chouette's home port so perhaps we will see you there. But we have a way further to go.

Mike OReilly · 01-01-2016, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpeer

I need to download the sailing directions.

I do have the Puffin press sailing guide to the St Lawrence and also Newfoundland. The St Lawrence guide was recently updated.

Mike, I haven't seen that one yet. Any good? Up to date?

Active Captain covers the St Lawrence moderately.

Lewisporte is Chouette's home port so perhaps we will see you there. But we have a way further to go.

I have the Puffin press guides as well. Sailing directions ... good idea.

I can't really tell you if that guide I have is any good. It was recommended to me by a few other St. Lawrence sailors, but I haven't yet cracked the spine. When I get back to the boat in March I'll dive into it.

Are you heading back to Lewisporte this season? Would love to connect if you are. We should try and connect as you exit the Erie Canal. I think it's right across from Belleville. Hopefully we'll be in the water and ready to sail by the time you arrive.

And if you need any additional crew on the trek up the canal, let me know. Happy to help if I can.

**hpeer** · 01-01-2016, 11:22

Yes, plans are to head up from the Delaware Bay late May or early June. We want to end up in Lewisporte for the winter.

If all goes well we leave Delaware about March 1st in Safara and get her as far South as New Bern, NC where will haul her. Then back to Delaware to pick u Chouette and head North.

Then we will have Chouette in NL where our cabin is. That is to be our summer haunt. And Safara will be South for the winter ending up God knows where. Rinse and repeat until dead.

I'll send you a PM with my email.