Ottawa area with 43fter

[familyof3]

Hello, I am relocating to Ottawa next week and wondering if anyone would recommend a marina with slip than can fit my 43 footer? Closer to downtown the better, but obviously willing to drive to the right marina.
Any experience would be fantastic.
Thank you

[FamilyVan]

There seriously is not much. Ottawa is not a big cruising sailboat friendly area. I'm in a 35' with 5' draft and I'm way out in Gananoque which is an hour and 40 minute drive.

You might consider one of the two big marinas in Kingston. Confederation Basin or Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

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[FamilyVan]

Its worth mentioning that you can't reasonably get a large sailboat to within 50 miles of Ottawa. The bridge at Hawkesbury is only 48' (I have an air draft of 55'), and only 22' on the Rideau.

You could unstep the mast every time you wanted to go past Hawkesbury if you could find a slip in the city I guess.

I wouldn't take a Bene 43 into the Rideau even with the mast down, too shallow.

If you're moving to Ottawa (as I did in June), you may find that you regret ever trading up in size from your 30' (as I did).

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[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, familyof3.

[Prairie Chicken]

Welcome aboard, Familyof3. Ottawa is a lovely city.

[yahtzee]

I agree with FamilyVan. The Ottawa River is not a good river for a boat like yours. The river is too narrow and the stretches are short (Lac Deschenes to Chats Falls OR Parliament Hill to Hawkesbury). 95% of my sailing was on the Deschenes area on up to 25 footers and that was o.k. My former boss had a C&C32ish (out of Nepean Sailing Club) and found it challenging. He was considering the St. Lawrence as he was planning his retirement.

Also, with Highways 417, 416 and 401, Kingston and area are just a couple of hours away.

[Drobert]

You can certainly truck and launch a 43 footer in Ottawa and berth her at either Nepean or Britannia Yacht club, but you will soon get bored of the limited cruising options. I sailed for many years with a 27 foot C&C and it was perfect for learning, but as soon as I moved up (to a 42 Niagara) i moved to Gananoque (Trident Yacht Club). Much better sailing for a larger boat and many more options for cruising- you've got the whole of Lake Ontario before you have to traverse a lock.

[BobH260]

I have sailed the Ottawa river on the north side of the city for a number of years. Most people sail a boat less than 30 ft, and under 5 ft draft is best, but there are some 36 fters.

Sailing is very popular in Ottawa. Nepean Sailing Club is one of the biggest sailing clubs in Canada with about 2000 members and over 500 wet slips, plus dry sailed boats and active dinghys club. Right across from Nepean club is Britannia also quite large, maybe 300 slips. Across the Lake is the Aylmer club with a couple of hundred slips. It gets quite busy on race nights.

For a boat your size I would look at Kingston, or Prince Edward County for a slip, about a 2 hr drive.
Checkout Waupoos Marina Very good sailing area in Prince Edward County, surrounded with wineries and great restaurants. The water in the marina is crystal clear.

For a sailing fix during the week try crewing on one of the race boats.

Good luck, Bob

[Mike OReilly]

Grew up in Ottawa, but left before sailing took over my life. Agree with the other posters. You could probably launch and berth at Britannia, but you'll quickly get bored with the limited cruising in the Ottawa River (although you'll also get good at tacking ).

The St. Lawrence/1000 Islands/Lake Ontario is really not that far away though, although I guess it all depends on your perspective ... 2 hrs away is quite close to me. Lots of marinas along this stretch. Great cruising grounds.

[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Grew up in Ottawa, but left before sailing took over my life. Agree with the other posters. You could probably launch and berth at Britannia, but you'll quickly get bored with the limited cruising in the Ottawa River (although you'll also get good at tacking ).

The St. Lawrence/1000 Islands/Lake Ontario is really not that far away though, although I guess it all depends on your perspective ... 2 hrs away is quite close to me. Lots of marina along this stretch. Great cruising grounds.

Mike, if you came from Niagara Falls with half a dozen deep water marinas on two great lakes within 20 minutes you wouldn't consider two hours close, or Toronto with about 15 scattered along the water front

Its encouraging to know there are worse places than Ottawa for sailing.

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[Scaramanga F25]

St Lawrence River for you.
Brockville ( 50 Min. from Ottawa west end.) west to T.I. Gan.

[anacapaisland42]

Go to Waupoos in the county (Prince Edward County) , relaxing country marina, wineries nearby, great sailing and great swimming
Bill

Originally Posted by FamilyVan

There seriously is not much. Ottawa is not a big cruising sailboat friendly area. I'm in a 35' with 5' draft and I'm way out in Gananoque which is an hour and 40 minute drive.

You might consider one of the two big marinas in Kingston. Confederation Basin or Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

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[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by anacapaisland42

Go to Waupoos in the county (Prince Edward County) , relaxing country marina, wineries nearby, great sailing and great swimming
Bill

I actually plan on visiting Waupoos next week. Never been, I'll be arriving by boat though, not car

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[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by anacapaisland42

Go to Waupoos in the county (Prince Edward County) , relaxing country marina, wineries nearby, great sailing and great swimming
Bill

We're currently located at Stillwater Marina in Belleville, west of the big bridge. When I was shopping around for temporary digs this place was one of the cheapest. It's not fancy, but inexpensive and friendly. Right next to "da county" so easy to get your wine fix.

[hamburking]

All the big boats from Ottawa stay at Trident Yacht club Home - Trident Yacht Club

Its just west of gananaque on the st lawrence. 10 minutes by sailboat from the admiralty group of islands. A wonderful club with a friendly membership. Lots of boats your size there.