Anchorages Along the St. Lawrence ?

[Murphiii]

I'm planning a trip through the Welland Canal, then up the St. Lawrence Seaway past Montreal & Quebec to the Maritimes for 2011.
Is it reasonable to do a lot of anchoring vs staying in marinas for this trip? I understand that anchoring in the islands in eastern Lake Ontario and the western end of the Seaway is good, but I'm concerned that not much is available through the rest of the Seaway.
Any thoughts or advice?

[MYHorwood]

Hi Sailing Kelly

What time are you planning on being there? We are interested in that too as we will be heading off from Michigan towards the SLS during July / August next year.

We draw 10ft.

[Murphiii]

At the moment, my plan is to transit the Welland Canal over the US Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. I expect I'd make Montreal by mid-June and the Maritimes in July sometime.

I'm interested in identifying "Buddy Boats". Not actually sailing together, but just keeping in touch to share info as we proceed on our separate trips.

Send me a private message if you're interested.

[Philsboat]

Some of our favourite anchorages in the 1000 Islands.

Breaky Bay,north side of Wolfe Island opposite Howe Island.

North and south sides of Lindsay Island one mile south of Gananoque.

Gananoque Public Utilities Dock,on the right as you enter the Municipal Marina.Free docking for three hours for shopping etc.

East side of Hickey Island east of Gananoque.

South East side of Adelaide Island off the east end of Grenadier Island.

North side of Smiths Island,west end of Brockville.Lot's of transients stay here on the way up and down the river.

I'll try to think of some more later.

Phil

[Murphiii]

Wow! That's the kind of detailed info I was hoping for!

Thank you!

[Murphiii]

Does anyone know of good anchorages near Montreal, Quebec City and further East? That would also be very helpful.

Thx!

Murph

[Kalinka1]

Good morning.There really are quite a few spots to anchor on the way down or up and below Trois riviers you have to wait out the tide anyway. You can anchor just out side Sorrel breakwall even with 10 ft. Leave Trois rivier just before high water and you can make Quebec City (Quebec Yact club at Sillery) Anchor out side to the east. 17 ft tide If from a Yacht club first night free inside.
More anchorages on North shore than South Tadoussac has a good anchorage at the Marina Mingan Islands are very good Anticosti Island not good anywhere unless dead calm Lots of bays inlets etc East to Harrington Harbour then a short hop 75 miles and your in Bay of Islands Newfoundland. Two very good cruising guides are the Gulf of St Lawrence and Cruising Newfoundland Labrador by Sany Weld (Puffin Press. hope this helps or send me a private message and can probably flesh this out more.

[GordMay]

Here's some useful information - Vessels in Transit
➥ http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/...map/index.html

[LakeSuperior]

We did the trip this year from Lake Michigan on our way to Ireland. We passed through the St. Lawrence in May. Many of the municipal marinas were not yet open. One could stay for free but fuel, water, and electricity were hit and miss. We anchored out a couple nights but a great part of the trip was exploring the towns and cities. Staying in the marinas made exploring easy. Montreal and Quebec City were wonderful diversions. Can't recommend Quebec City enough.

[Murphiii]

Thank you! That is good info and I appreciate the kudos for QC, I'll have to spend some time there!

Murph

[foamcore]

Murph, that is the time frame I have in mind to do that same trip

[marlinespike]

Hello

The trip you are planning is called the Down East Circle Route.
Well, you are planning some of the loop anyway.
If you google Down East Circle Route a lot of blogs with tons of info
will come up.

The 2nd edition of the cruising guide "Down East Circle Route"
is due out this spring May/Jun 2011.

It is a terrific resource for the St. Lawrence River (playing the currents, marinas and anchorages, site-seeing, fuel stops, navigation and weather Tips etc.). The course then takes you into the Northumberland Strait, which is pretty shallow but the guide gives info on recent reported depths and harbour dredgings (anchorages etc). It then will take you down the Nova Scotia coast and over to Maine.

The book is by Cheryl Barr (Yacht Pilot Publishing)
there is an faq page if you go to Yacht Pilot Cruising Guides - FAQ

Wow, 10 feet sure is a lot of draft.

Don

[wenzlr]

Hi, I too am planning go along that route. Going from Port Dover, Lake Erie to Halifax on an Alberg 30 in end of June to August and am interested in finding out information re: anchorages and marinas.
Thanks

[Bridlewilde]

Hello, We too are planning to travel this route. We are departing from Prince Edward County (Picton, ON) to bring our newly purchased Mason 33 back to Mahone Bay NS. We are also interested in the "Buddy Boat" concept. We will depart first week of June depending on weather and expect to arrive in NS mid July. Anyone interested in communication and the sharing of information en route please identify your interest.
ps - New to this forum today. Keith and Jo Bond

[foamcore]

Me too! Starting from Lake Erie sometime mid June.