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Tom...I'm still interested in launching at Wilson State Park and crossing over if conditions permit...what do you think?

31.2 nautical miles

I can get reciprocal club privileges from Tuscorora YC with pretty much any club in TO in terms of ramp use...don't know about overnight parking

Catigale wrote:Tom...I'm still interested in launching at Wilson State Park and crossing over if conditions permit...what do you think?

31.2 nautical miles

I'm showing about 36 miles on Offhore Navigator, in a straight line, but it's probably a moot point for me, as I'll be bringing either my 80 YO FIL, or the admiral and the dog. Either way, I don't see either wanting to make that trip across open water in such a small boat (and the admiral, not even on the Queen Mary). I would go for it if I was alone or with some young-uns, but I've got a bit of a death wish anyway.

It's against the wind, so quite a slog to get across from there. Easier from the Niagara area, I would think.

I'll bring it up with my FIL today, as he'll be 'helping' me launch Tomfoolery in the Erie Canal today so I have a boat to sit on for Fathers' Day.

Gents

Lake Ontario is not to be underestimated

We launch from the north west corner
If the winds are from N NW W we are good to go
If they are S E SE... not on your life! !!

The waves and chop get to be 15+ feet when you are on the windward side of that lake.

Best thing you can do out there when caught in that stuff is motor at 5mph taking the waves at 45 degrees

Wet and wild to say the least

G

I concur whole-heartedly with Geoff! Weather windows are the rule of the day for light boats like ours. Even though we are booked for the 16th (Friday), we will leave a day or so earlier if things are brewing up. The marina should be semi-empty during the preceding week.
R.

Yeah, I've crossed the lake, right through the middle (Rochester to Cobourg), about 55 miles as the crow flies. Usually a port tack the whole way, with winds out of the west, as they usually are. More or less. Took some green water over the bow now and again as the waves get big. This was a bigger boat, though. I don't think the would be as much fun in those conditions, though.

I've thought about making the trip along the coast, sailing essentially west along the coast, turning north with a good west wind but close enough to the shore to not have to deal with rollers, then turning east (near-shore again) for a downwind run. Would take a couple or few days, though, especially the upwind bit.

My FIL doesn't want to make that sort of trip on a boat that small. He'd probably do it again on my Hunter, if I still had it, though I'm not so sure his daughter (the admiral) would let me take him out to the middle at this point. If the admiral goes instead, I KNOW she wouldn't be in the slightest bit interested in such a trip, so I'm not even going to ask.

So it looks like trailering into Canada, and launching from in or near Port Credit, or (maybe) from somewhere on the south shore and following the coast around. I'm still working on that.

From Wilson, 28 nm and course of 315 true or so? I think you have about a 40% better chance of a reach and/or reaching 5 miles east of TO and then just motoring up shore to polish off the trip

With a ramp on the TO side, you don't have to worry about return schedules, just pull and trailer home

Here's what Offshore Navigator is telling me.



Shortest route, and closest to the western shore, is what Crikey is suggesting. With the most common prevailing winds in my area, 350 deg. mag. is no problem. Assuming the prevailing winds prevail, of course.

Drive it, or sail it - Jordan Harbour is a quiet simplistic little place with parking after launching (remember my offer). Sailing westward from your location is the Niagara River, ST.Catharines, Port Dalhousie then Jordan. Guest docks, and refueling in each one.
Last year we had a great downwind run to Port Credit - er, that was after running out of gas, of course!
R.

Crikey wrote:Drive it, or sail it - Jordan Harbour is a quiet simplistic little place with parking after launching (remember my offer). Sailing westward from your location is the Niagara River, ST.Catharines, Port Dalhousie then Jordan. Guest docks, and refueling in each one.
Last year we had a great downwind run to Port Credit - er, that was after running out of gas, of course!
R.

Well thats assuming u have any wind , that happened to me once & then it went to zero water like glass not even enough to fly a spin !! , so I called Beene & Dreamer & said u guy's might as well go for dinner with-out me cause looks like i'm gonna be drifting the night away !! LOL but after a few beers they decided to come & get me Think it had something to do with "it was my turn to buy the drinks that night " I said to "Dreamer" Rocky did'nt I asked U to remind me to get gas first thing in the morn ! he said oh yeh I guess I forgot !!
http://s844.photobucket.com/user/TheHig ... 7.mp4.html


J

Glad I wasn't on video, the Admiral yelling at me would've taken center stage!
Good lesson learned though.
R.

At least your admiral will take a sailing trip like that with you. I usually get the admiral's 80 YO father. Not much to look at, but if it's on a boat, he's there, and that's worth something.

tkanzler wrote:Here's what Offshore Navigator is telling me.



Shortest route, and closest to the western shore, is what Crikey is suggesting. With the most common prevailing winds in my area, 350 deg. mag. is no problem. Assuming the prevailing winds prevail, of course.

Gotta love those electronic toys!
Sure takes the guess work of it.

G

Yeah, I keep paper charts, and I know how to use them well enough to follow the breadcrumbs home, but I prefer Offshore Navigator and my antique laptop with a little puck-shaped USB-connected GPS antenna for real-time navigating whenever possible.

I'm back! What's the date....we are in if it's not during our trip to Montreal for a concert.
Sorry I've been MIA for a bit....things were hectic with traveling for the winter and when we got back, it was right to the boat stuff. We're on it everyday if the weather is nice;-)

Ok Beene just messaged me, I believe these dates work perfect. Can't wait:-)

YAY!

By my tally, this is the list of attendees so far, updated as of 6/20/13.

Definitely:
beene
Highlander
Crikey
seahouse
tkanzler
StarSpun

Maybe:
dreamer
Catigale

Hhmmm, feeling kinda outnumbered at 4 to 2 boats, with a 1:1 split on the 'maybes'.