Draft for the Great Lakes

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Dave the Canuck

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

On the plus side, it’ll sure wake you up .

Some years I saw the surface layer warm up to quite tolerable levels (19 C or 66 F). In the bays, during days when the wind is light, it can warm up. Mostly though, it is closer to 12-15C during the summer around the coasts, and around 4-5 offshore.

A few years ago we did a 40 hr crossing, sailing west to east to Michipocoten Island. The water temperatures were 4.5 C, and by the mid-point of our crossing, so was the interior of our boat (we had no heat source). Brrrrr.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

is closer to 12-15C during the summer around the coasts, and around 4-5 offshore..

That's brutal. What good is water you can't swim in?


Hey, I was just thinking...

If you sold the Rafiki and bought one of these:




You could go by Baba OReilly

[tfp1970]

Disclosure: I know nothing of sailboats, but do know quite a bit about cruising (power boat) on Lake Superior.

I suggest picking up "Superior Way" by Bonnie Dahl. Extensive cruising guide for Lake Superior. The Dahl's were (and still are I believe) on a Columbia 10.7 which has a 5.5 foot draft (according to Google). There are a number of areas (Isle Royale, for example) where the harbors/anchorages can be tricky to get into with a deep draft.

Just my 2 cents.

--T

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by tfp1970

Disclosure: I know nothing of sailboats, but do know quite a bit about cruising (power boat) on Lake Superior.

I suggest picking up "Superior Way" by Bonnie Dahl. Extensive cruising guide for Lake Superior. The Dahl's were (and still are I believe) on a Columbia 10.7 which has a 5.5 foot draft (according to Google). There are a number of areas (Isle Royale, for example) where the harbors/anchorages can be tricky to get into with a deep draft.

Just my 2 cents.

--T

Yup … it’s the cruising bible for Superior.

Originally Posted by Tetepare

That's brutal. What good is water you can't swim in?

I do appreciate being able to leap over the side all season long down in the balmy Lake Ontario. But quite frankly I find it Way Too Hot most of the cruising season. It’s why I’m headed for Newfoundland .

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Hey, I was just thinking...You could go by Baba OReilly

Darn right:

I don't need to fight to prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

That's brutal. What good is water you can't swim in?

You can swim in Lake Superior year-round. You just have to harden yourself a little. Actually, the surface temps get to the lower 70's in Aug/Sept.

[hamburking]

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.

I Agree.

The more places I sail, the more I realize how great it is here.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

That's brutal. What good is water you can't swim in?

If its too cold to swim, you could walk on it!

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I Agree.

The more places I sail, the more I realize how great it is here.

Yeah, nice photos. Notice the shape of that tree- that's not from gravity, or nice flat days like in the photo.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by hamburking

I Agree.

The more places I sail, the more I realize how great it is here.

Beautiful pics hamburking? Where are they taken? Summer islands don’t look like north shore of Superior. South shore?

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Beautiful pics hamburking? Where are they taken? Summer islands don’t look like north shore of Superior. South shore?

The summer pics are all from around here, Kingston Ontario, mostly the admiralty group of islands. Many islands are very "group of seven". The strong SW winds here, that blows almost every day, really leaves its mark on the islands.

The winter pics are between CFB Marina and Cedar Island, just off Fort Henry (famous landmark). In "normal" winters, the ice is solid and safe for walking in February. I would take my kids and some dogs for a walk to Cedar Island each winter. We'd make a fire, heat some hot chocolate or hot dogs, and spend a winter day on an island we usually only visit in summer.

Those pics were taken last winter. It was brutal cold but little snow. The ice was so flat and clear that the world ice boat sailing championships were held here. Unlike most sailing events, they don't choose the venue until 2 weeks before the event, since it is totally dependent on the ice surface. They said it was one of the best ice surfaces ever. For us the ice walk was scary. The ice was so clear you could see right through to the bottom. I knew the ice was thick and safe, but you never know.

Adventure is where you find it. Often its right there, waiting for you.

[Mike OReilly]

Since we’re sharing pics, here’s a couple from some recent Lake Superior sailing, and a couple more taken of Thunder Bay in the winter.

[Saaabb]

Very good analysis the bring the reality in the center of the debate! Thanks

[Saaabb]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Another vote for shallow draft.


Also, how is shallow draft better for the builder?

Because It will cost 11 000$ for the shoal, presuming a good margin it will increase his profit!

[Mirage35]

Was in Kingston looking at boats today and heard the comment from a friend - you've probably all heard it before but I hadn't:

"Shoal draft just means you run aground in shallower water." "And", he added, "a wing keel means you can't get off."

After the joking, his serious comment was that he would consider up to maybe 6 feet for eastern Lake Ontario and similar areas (but hamburking please note he was not talking 1000 Islands area).

FWIW

[SVTwilight]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Last time I checked, there are 5 great lakes.
...and they truly are inland seas.

There are indeed five, I have sailed them all just to check, but to be fair the OP specifically referred to three of them. All beautiful in their own ways...