Draft for the Great Lakes

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Main Duck is an amazing place. Not entirely safe, not that easy to get to. That's part of the allure.

I’ll vouch for that . Last season we tried to get there three times. Each time the forecast and conditions changed (rapidly), or the sea/wind state was such that we bailed.

I might be able to get to the dock in Schoolhouse early in the season, but definitely not by September (if last year is representative of how much the water drops). Likely I’d have to anchor out in the bay, which means I’d not want to be there if there was any serious wind from the N or E. It’s great for the prevailing winds though.

[Tetepare]

IIRC you can't just "go" to Main Duck. It has to be part of an international crossing, preferably from USA to Canada. And you can't tell anyone you're there. And if CC shows up, you have to claim that you're seeking safe harbor from the pending weather. CC will then give you the stink eye and tell you if they catch you touching shore they'll arrest you and impound your boat. Now THAT's the Main Duck adventure!

I wish they'd just skip the international boundary BS and make the islands all international waters. But nnnnooooo somebody has to be the king.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Running down the south shore of Lake Ontario, I have put an "*" next to the places where a 7' draft may well be a problem, particularly in fall. Problem meaning getting to fuel/ docks. # indicates you may not even get into the harbor.

Youngstown
# Olcott
Rochester
# Irondequoit Bay
# Pultneyville
* Sodus
# Port Bay
# Fairhaven/ Little Sodus
Oswego
Henderson
Sacketts Harbor
Chamont (needs more info on fuel)
* Cape Vincent
* Clayton
* Alex Bay

Swinging back on the North Shore (and I'll ask our northern neighbors to pitch in)

Gananaque
Kingston
Prinyer's Cove
# Fisherman's Cove
* Waupoos
Picton, Deseronto, Bellville ????
Murray Canal ??
Cobourg
* Toronto

Chain of Islands "no man's land" not recognized by sailors as belonging to anyone except boaters:

* Galloo
# Main Duck
# False Ducks

Thousand Islands is simple: the less draft, the better. The best anchorages are quite shallow.

I think if you can't get into Toronto with 7' draft., then something is wrong, Toronto is a commercial port, the lake level would have to drop 30+ feet for Toronto to be inaccessible!

[Tetepare]

It was claimed that a 7' draft would inhibit access to Toronto area YC facilities. For those who exploit reciprocal docking, it would be an issue.

[Kalinka1]

I've been into most of the places listed with 5.1/2 feet always had at least 2 or 3 feet under the keel. Friend draws 9 and has had no issues except at the end of the season returning to Sodus. The only place in Toronto that might be an issue is on the wall at Hanlans point but only in some spots and the bottom is soft. weed are more a problem there. But if given a choice I'd go with the shallower draft.

[Ardbeg]

Hamburking. Yes I believe the clearest water on the lake at Main Duck. Also if you catch bass, they are far greener colored at Main Duck. Great eating.

As for the anchoring, in the bay to the east, not right beside School house, one over, I deploy two anchors as close to 90 deg from the bow as possible and I have never had a movement problem.

Parks Canada seems to have abandoned the Ducks the last couple years (budget cuts?)and the growth has basically wiped out walking on the beaches. Someone needs to put 30 goats on the island for the summer.

[Joli]

I don't know the Ducks you're talking about but we're planning on visiting Toronto and we draw 9'

[Mike OReilly]

Draft is not an issue in Toronto Harbour. It’s access to some docks and anchorages that will be a challenge. Some marinas report water depths at their service docks of 10’, 8’ and 6’. Certainly most of the anchorages in the islands would be off limit to a 9’ draft boat … 7’ would be dicey.

https://www.waterwayguide.com/explor...15&mode=marina

Of course it also depends on current water levels of the Lake and when you plant to be there. I’ve only spent two seasons sailing L. Ontario, but I’ve seen huge fluctuations in Lake levels from the beginning to the end of the season. I guess this is normal (he asks)? The level is regulated by dams up and down stream.

As a personal example, when we left our marina in Belleville last summer at the end of June our gunwales were 30 cm above the dock wall. By the time we got back in mid-Sept I was stepping at least 50 cm UP to the dock level. The last 100’ of marina approach had us dredging a channel through the bottom just to get back in.

[Dave the Canuck]

As well, you can forget about getting into Spanish or transiting the Collins Inlet via Beaverstone Bay if you draw over 5 ft.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dave the Canuck

As well, you can forget about getting into Spanish or transiting the Collins Inlet via Beaverstone Bay if you draw over 5 ft.

I recall nearly becoming a permanent fixture in the Blind River marina when we went in there to get some engine work done. Took some serious work by the marina skiff to dredge and haul us out to deep water. That was with a 5’ draft boat, although it was more than 10 years ago now.

Any news on the current state Dave? I know that whole north shore of the North Channel is pretty shallow; Blind River, Spanish, Thessalon…

[Dave the Canuck]

No idea re current state. The drive up to the marina in Penetanguishene was driving me insane so we moved the boat to western Lake Ontario and have been there for the last three years. And.... we moved the boat back to Penetang last fall. Looking forward to rediscovering the old haunts. Turns out the drive sucks...and it's worth it!

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Dave the Canuck

No idea re current state. The drive up to the marina in Penetanguishene was driving me insane so we moved the boat to western Lake Ontario and have been there for the last three years. And.... we moved the boat back to Penetang last fall. Looking forward to rediscovering the old haunts. Turns out the drive sucks...and it's worth it!

Agree, the 2 hour drive every weekend sucks but the sailing in Georgian Bay makes it all worthwhile. Do wish I had the boat closer so I can work on it during the week. Shoal draft in Georgian Bay is a benefit for sure.

[Mike OReilly]

Talk about missing a place … I’ve spent most of the last decade sailing Lake Superior. Two years ago we moved out of our land house and began the full time cruising lifestyle. We moved on board and left the Big Lake, heading for Lake Ontario two years ago where we’ve been these last couple of years.

Don’t get me wrong … all the Great Lakes are wonderful and amazing cruising grounds. But there’s nothing like the north shore of Lake Superior for beauty, remoteness, and power. I sure miss it.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Talk about missing a place … I’ve spent most of the last decade sailing Lake Superior. Two years ago we moved out of our land house and began the full time cruising lifestyle. We moved on board and left the Big Lake, heading for Lake Ontario two years ago where we’ve been these last couple of years.

Don’t get me wrong … all the Great Lakes are wonderful and amazing cruising grounds. But there’s nothing like the north shore of Lake Superior for beauty, remoteness, and power. I sure miss it.

As spring is starting to be evident, daily my thoughts turn to cruising the north shore of Lake Superior. Honestly, about half way into our around the North Atlantic trip in 2010/2012 I realized that we have the best cruising grounds on planet earth right in our own backyard.

The only comment I make on Mike's post is that he understates it!

[Dave the Canuck]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

As spring is starting to be evident, daily my thoughts turn to cruising the north shore of Lake Superior. Honestly, about half way into our around the North Atlantic trip in 2010/2012 I realized that we have the best cruising grounds on planet earth right in our own backyard.

The only comment I make on Mike's post is that he understates it!

Looking forward to exploring that part of the world after we hang 'em up. Sounds wonderful. Might have to rethink my morning swim, though.