Kingston to Toronto - Local Knowledge?

[John Graham]

Planning to cruise up to Toronto from Kingston this July. Been perusing
the "Ports" cruising guide and I think we'll go upbound thru the Bay of
Quinte and the Murray Canal and coast along the Ontario Shore. I would like
to return in one jump using the outside route. I'm assuming the the wind
will be westerly nearly all the time, hence my idea to take our time and
make small jumps upbound and then do the long slide downwind. On the
downbound trip I'm going to try to time it so we go past Presque Isle in the
daylight hours, as I am not keen on approaching a low lee shore in the dark.

The boat is a 26' steel sloop that does not go to windward particularly
well, so I'm figuring about 4-5 Kt as far as speed goes.

Anyone taken a similar trip, or have any advice? I'm wondering if there are
any local wind conditions I can take advantage of to lessen the pounding of
going to windward? Thanx in advance.

John.

[Terry K]

Bought a boat in Toronto, and when we went from there home to
Trenton, Ontario in July, we had NO wind, and lost a coil motoring
all the way. Stopped at Colberg, bummed a ride to Oshawa to find a
$5 snowmobile coil at a used motorcycle shop to get us going again.
Cost a day, but met some nice people.

Terry K

[Tony Cook]

Don't assume the wind will be westerly all the time! There's many a
period of solid easterly winds on Lake Ontario in the summer and they
can hang in for days (and be quite cool).

Last time we sailed from Toronto to Kingston and return, we had more
or less close reaches in both directions - very fortunate and
somewhat unusual, although the westerly trip included a nasty line
squall off Presquile with nowhere to go but through the squall - but
that's Lake Ontario in summer! We did not attempt the outside route
as that would probably have meant an overnighter and we were simply
enjoying a leisurely holiday cruise.

It's a pretty long leg from Cobourg to Kingston, with liitle in the
way of safe harbours on the way. That's why the inside route is so
popular, with plenty of choice of harbours, good sailing (other than
Presquile Bay and the Murray Canal - although both are interesting).
One jump from Toronto to Kingston is ambitious if your boat is not a
performer. We had a 28' boat that certainly would go to weather and we
were very lucky to average 4 to 5 knots at any time. July on Lake
Ontario can be everything from dead calm (hence Slumber Bay in
Toronto) to rather impressive squalls and thunderstorms (usually later
in the day, so cruisers tend to start early and get into a marina
early). Be prepared for a significant amount of motoring.

If you do go outside, be prepared for some long tacks out into Lake
Ontario if, as you say, your boat doesn't go to windward very well.
And there are plenty of hazards to the south of Prince Edward county
and Presquile, so you're well advised to stay well out.

---------------------------------
Tony Cook, SeaRoom Communications
www.searoom.com - the cruising site
---------------------------------

[James Calore]

Crossed two summers ago from Geneseo River (Rochester NY) to Trenton,
Ontario. Great overnighter, great scenery thru the lakes and great people
along the way. (Our cruise notes appeared in Latitudes & Attitudes
Magazines last Fall).

-jc

In article <3A82A1DD...@nbnet.nb.ca>, Terry K

[Martin Reid]

We have done it only the outside way and had quite an enjoyable sail.
It is a long haul from Cobourg around. We stopped in Long Point Harbour
for the night. Very tight and shallow entrance but a nice stop. I
would make sure the water depth is adequate before you decide to stop.
We were in a C&C 29. Main Duck island is supposed to be a nice stop
although I haven't been there. I would try and make Presqu'ile your
jump off point. You will likely have westerly winds but I wouldn't
count on it.

Martin Reid

[Dave Robinson or Heather McCance]

What is the clearance on the bridge at Belleville?
I am planning to go through the Murray Canal and the Bay of Quinte to Kingston .
Our boat has an air draft of 35'.
tia

[Bernie Sudol]

There is lots of clearance. we went through last year on a Cal 30. no
problem. Check your chart or Ports Guide the clearance is well over 40 ft
Bernie
Dave Robinson or Heather McCance <ca...@neptune.on.ca> wrote in message
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[James Calore]

The bridges over the canal are swing type. Have your 'Loonies' ready!

-jc

In article <8IZg6.3128$MV2....@newscontent-01.sprint.ca>, "Bernie Sudol"

[Bill Jaine]

Forget Long Point unless you're in a dingy. We tried last year and its
silted in like crazy.

"Dave Robinson or Heather McCance" <ca...@neptune.on.ca> wrote in message
news:3A8455F9...@neptune.on.ca...

[Colin Dykstra]

According to my charts, the clearance is 23 meters ... you'll have lots of
room...

C.

"Bill Jaine" <ana...@eagle.ca> wrote in message
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