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Sunsetrider · 28-03-2015, 14:13

Sails of course, not sheets.

Sunsetrider · 28-03-2015, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingjazz

I'm not sure how far it is from Ottawa but I really like Gananoque. It's a great little town with a really nice (deep) marina.
Kevin

And sadly a multi-year waiting list.

ebs001 · 28-03-2015, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

Mike,

The Thousand Islands is actually the upper portion of the St Lawrence River, the flow is over 7 kilotonnes per second. All the water that flows down the St Marie's, all the water that flows under the blue water bridge and all the water that flows over Niagara Falls also flows through the Thousand Islands.

The current really isn't very strong in the upper islands, but as the river narrows and there become fewer islands to disturb the flow the current increases.
The current below Kingston is only about half a knot, but by the time your at the down stream end of the islands, its 2 or 3 knots.

Any place where there is an acute narrowing of the river, anticipate stronger currents. Generally the current is stronger in the main channel on the US side then on the Canadian side where the islands dirty the flow. You can expect stronger currents in the American Narrows, as well as to the North of Hill Island. Expect an more current (over a knot) around Mallory Town. Over 2 knots in the Brockville narrows.

If you get down past the first lock at Iroquois, the current gets down right nasty, but chills out before you reach Morisburg. You'll be easily able to spot the eddies below the down stream portions of the islands.

Ebs

Thank you for the heads up, I know the Sailing around Kingston is much better than the Sailing in the Thousand Islands. But in my experience, the boat you get the most enjoyment out of is the boat you use, that's why I'm looking for something an easy drive from Ottawa.

My moorings have been on the open water of Lake Ontario for several years, so I'm okay with the more confined waters of the river for a few years. I have my trusty Perkins, the boat motors well.

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I guess it depends how one defines easy drive. It takes me about 1hour 50 minutes to Kingston form downtown Ottawa. Ottawa to Ivy Lea 1 hour 30 minutes. All on 400 series highways and once you clear the Queensway not particularly busy so it's easy to do 120K the whole way.

If you are looking to be on your boat sooner Prescott Ontario is only an hour and Brockville another 15 minutes. Both have marinas with easy and direct access to the St. Laurence. In both places there are day sailing possibilities as the river is deep and wide the two cities.

FamilyVan · 28-03-2015, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebs001

I guess it depends how one defines easy drive. It takes me about 1hour 50 minutes to Kingston form downtown Ottawa. Ottawa to Ivy Lea 1 hour 30 minutes. All on 400 series highways and once you clear the Queensway not particularly busy so it's easy to do 120K the whole way.

If you are looking to be on your boat sooner Prescott Ontario is only an hour and Brockville another 15 minutes. Both have marinas with easy and direct access to the St. Laurence. In both places there are day sailing possibilities as the river is deep and wide the two cities.

I've never taken a boat into the Brockville marina, only from the land side. Do you think I'd be okay getting into Brockville with a 35' x 5'6" draft?

The published details I can find state 6 feet. Which can mean a lot of different things in practise

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hamburking · 28-03-2015, 14:51

IMHO, the gem you are seeking is Trident Yacht Club. Thats where all the big sailboat live. Its a lovely club, with a warm and welcoming membership. The grounds are beautiful, and the location is very close to the heart of the islands...after the drive from ottawa, you can be at a beautiful anchorage in like half and hour. If you have a big boat, you will feel at home there, and there is plenty of depth.

Gan municipal marina is also quite nice, with lots of amenities, but is a marina, not a club. One is a place to store your boat when you aren't sailing, the other is a place you want to hang out and have fun. Having said that, Gan marina has everything you need (except maybe parking).

The best way to know which is best for you would be to sail there.

I keep my boat at Confederation Basin in Kingston. Absolutely no car parking. No security. All docks are beam-on to the prevailing SW wind with no lee at all, so you are guaranteed to smash your boat when its windy, which is only every day of the summer, or have someone smash into your boat while you are away. The one nice thing is the dock hands. They help you cast off or take your lines when you return. Since I sail alone alot, this is a big deal for me. Also, Confed is like the most expensive marina around...toronto prices. And no services at all...no fuel, no mechanic, no haulout. Sketchy slow wifi, and damp bathrooms. Mostly power boats. They have recently added docks in every inch of space, so manouvering inside the marina is hairy at best. 14' depth at my dock.

hamburking · 28-03-2015, 14:56

The Ivy Lea Inn, off the Thousand Island Parkway, is pretty nice. They have done many improvements lately. However, I sailed a Maple Leaf 48 out of there, 6' draft, and we would often be pushing through the mud to get to our dock. Getting to the main channel can also be a trick...hit a rock or two that summer, split the keel fuel tank...hmmm, not quite the glowing endorsement I intended this to be.

FamilyVan · 28-03-2015, 15:01

Yes, I've been into both Confederation basin and Olympic harbour many times.

I believe you are correct, Trident very likely is what I'm looking for- I prefer a Yacht Club over a marina. Gan is on the upper end of what I'm willing to drive.

My list now includes Prescott, Lansdowne and Trident. That's why I started this thread, I've learned of two very good options that I had missed on my original search.

I wish I could just take a sail down and check them out, but the distances involved and time constraints make it logistically difficult. However I may be able to drive down and check em out.

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hamburking · 28-03-2015, 15:08

If you are going to visit Trident, I suggest you contact the club first, and they would likely have someone meet you and give you the royal tour.

Lake-Effect · 28-03-2015, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

I know the Sailing around Kingston is much better than the Sailing in the Thousand Islands. But in my experience, the boat you get the most enjoyment out of is the boat you use, that's why I'm looking for something an easy drive from Ottawa.

Hi FV,

We trailer our small boat all around from our home base in Toronto. Ganonoque and Ottawa are among the places we've visited and sailed.

The Thousand Islands are neat to visit, and would provide some memorable exploring and anchoring, but even in our small sailboat, we didn't find the actual 'sailing' around Ganonoque to be that great. Lots of shoals, the current, boat traffic. We did like Ganonoque - it's a vacation town - lots to see/do, places to eat... but also tourist prices.

If we lived in or around Ottawa, I would keep an inexpensive daysailor or micro-cruiser on Lac Deschenes and sail often, including mini-cruises on the weekend, and put a 'big' boat in Kingston.

(shout out to friends at Club de Voile Grande Rivière on the Quebec side)

Have you thought about a club around Montreal, or a bit west of there? Lac des Deux Montagnes is nice, but also small.

Sunsetrider · 28-03-2015, 16:01

I used to sail out of Aylmer and the experience caused me to give it up entirely it was so limiting.

FamilyVan · 28-03-2015, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Hi FV,

We trailer our small boat all around from our home base in Toronto. Ganonoque and Ottawa are among the places we've visited and sailed.

The Thousand Islands are neat to visit, and would provide some memorable exploring and anchoring, but even in our small sailboat, we didn't find the actual 'sailing' around Ganonoque to be that great. Lots of shoals, the current, boat traffic. We did like Ganonoque - it's a vacation town - lots to see/do, places to eat... but also tourist prices.

If we lived in or around Ottawa, I would keep an inexpensive daysailor or micro-cruiser on Lac Deschenes and sail often, including mini-cruises on the weekend, and put a 'big' boat in Kingston.

(shout out to friends at Club de Voile Grande Rivière on the Quebec side)

Have you thought about a club around Montreal, or a bit west of there? Lac des Deux Montagnes is nice, but also small.

Good info, unfortunately a trailer sailor isn't that practical for me, as I already have my 35 and have put considerable money and effort into it. My lifestyle can be a little transient at times- I tend to wander, and wherever we move to, our boat is the constant for us- it's really the home, so I'm not eager to change boats.

My boat really does motor much better than she sails, heavy displacement, full keel double ender with a big engine and beefy 3 bladed fixed prop. I bought this boat- knowing my sailing habits tended towards the motoring side of things, with some sailing thrown in.

It's interesting that with all the support given to Kingston- you're the first to mention Montreal- I have considered this idea and like it. Cornwall is considerably closer to Ottawa than Kingston and is an easy day sail across Lake St Francis to Montreal- score points for night life. This would also give me better access to Lake Champlain- which I have never sailed on- but would like to (I took a tour boat ride out of Burlington once).

Thanks for the suggestion, I don't think I would go down that way right now, because it's a harder drive for family coming to visit from Toronto.

Drobert · 29-03-2015, 08:30

FamilyVan,

I believe Trident is accepting new members, there is usually a slip or two available each spring. I can put you in contact with the membership committee if you are interested.

We have been there a year and love the club, its really chill and geared toward Cruisers. We love the location.. we can zip down to Kingston to head to open water or cruise around the thousand islands. Its about 1:45 minute drive door to door for us in downtown Ottawa.

Dan

Lake-Effect · 29-03-2015, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunsetrider

I used to sail out of Aylmer and the experience caused me to give it up entirely it was so limiting.

... more limiting than Sharbot Lake?

(I kid - Sharbot Lake looks lovely. Do you have a dinghy or other small boat there?)

My point about Lac Deschenes was in response to FV noting that the closer your boat is, the more you use it. In their shoes, I would definitely keep the big boat in Kingston, and Trident sounds awesome... but I would also consider finding $3k to get a small boat for Lac Deschenes, or crew for someone at Britannia Yacht Club, just to be able to do some sailing without a 3 hr round-trip. Assuming FV is as nuts as I am about just getting out whenever I feel like it.

Through a combination of timing, fluke and 24 years of renovating a piece of sh!t small house, we now have a nice house in Toronto, half a block from Lake Ontario, and are a 10 minute walk to our yacht club

So you can see the value I put on proximity to the boat.

hycslim · 29-03-2015, 09:16

Hi.

I wouldn't go any further east of Prescott because of the current, especially if you are planning weekend trips. We kept our boat in Prescott one year, very nice marina, well protected and secure and less than 2 hrs to Brockville by motor. However as others have mentioned a few more minutes in a car will save you a few hours under motor. I know people who have been at Trident for years and really enjoy it, also there's Portsmouth or Collins Bay in Kingston. However I imagine the prices will increase as you get closer to the action.

Good Luck

Allan