Charts and Guidebook for the St. Lawrence Seaway

[rognvald]

Can anyone with first hand experience navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway from Kingston, Ontario to the mouth of the St. Lawrence recommend the best charts/chartbook and guidebook for this journey? Thanks, Rognvald

[rognvald]

Hmmmmmmmmm,
Of all the well-traveled cruisers on CF, there is no one that has sailed the St. Lawrence and could provide chart and guidebook info? I could certainly understand an information request for, say, the Mekong River Delta, Walden Pond, or Lake Wobegone, but the St. Lawrence? Perhaps I could try an RV Forum or Sea Kayakers International. Good luck and safe sailing . . . with a good guidebook and charts, that is.

[CaptTom]

I've found some info while planning to do the "Downeast Loop," which includes that area. I have at least one guide book at home, and a series of articles written by a member here who has done it. If no-one jumps in before then, I'll post the name of the guide book tonight when I have a chance to look at it.

And, of course, Active Captain is full of info about each port and anchorage.

Big picture; work the tidal currents, be aware of local weather conditions and how they affect the area you'll be cruising each day.

[moonglade]

We used Richardsons. Hudson River and adjacent water ways. It ends in Sorel and heads south. Also Skipper Bob cruising Guide was a great help.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[CaptTom]

Sorry for the delay; I thought someone would beat me to it.

The "bible" for the St. Lawrence is generally considered to be "Down East Circle Route" by Capt. Cheryl Barr.

I'm planning this trip next spring, and have been going through Capt. Barr's book page by page. It is very thorough, considering the area covered. It helps to have charts, maps and ActiveCaptain handy, and flip back and forth between them and the book.

[Benz]

I only have experience with the St. Lawrence from Gaspe to Sorel; did it upstream in 2013. The Canadian government charts, though about $20 each, are of course your best resource. Most of their charts for the river have soundings in meters, so you have to allow for that. They also have a Coast Pilot (the ATL seies), which is like a cruising guide for ships, available very affordably. If you're going beyond Gaspe or past Sept-Iles on the north shore, the CCA has a Northeast Gulf and Labrador cruising guide. A google search finds it easily.
my website: zartmancruising dot com has many blog postings about that trip, with photos.
Ben

[knottybuoyz]

You'll need a copy of the St. Lawrence Seaway Pleasure Craft Guide which can be downloaded here....

Seaway System - Recreational Boating - Pleasure Craft Guide

Second Skipper Bob's guide & Richardsons. The latter will provide you with the charts you'll need. Navigation is straight forward. Keep it in the channel with the red buoys on your starboard side.

Enjoy the trip!

[rognvald]

Thanks to everyone who responded both publicly and privately. These responses have been quite helpful. Good luck and good sailing.