[nas130]

Hello Everyone,

I am starting to plan a trip for my new boss. We will be departing from Ft. Lauderdale and cruising up to Georgian Bay, north of Lake Huron.

The boat has a draft of 6 feet, an air draft of 18.5 feet and is 90 feet long. We will be traveling up the Hudson River, through the Erie and Oswego Canals, across Lake Ontario, into the Welland Canal, across Lake Erie, up the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and River, up the Lake Huron and into Georgian Bay. En route we will be visiting: New York City, Toronto, and Long Point.

I have gone as far north on the Hudson as Castleton on the Hudson (14 miles south of Troy).

I have read the Great Lakes Waterway Guide and have a good feel for what is coming. Can you recommend any other cruising guides or other information sources?

Where do you recommend we overnight on the Erie and Oswego Canals?

Any advice on transiting the Welland Canal?

Any recommended marinas, anchorages and places for fuel for my sized vessel along the way?

Clearing customs issues?

Any must see sights?

I assume I am going to need magnesium sacrificial anodes for my engines, generators, and running gear. Does anyone have a reliable source?

Any other advice you can offer is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Best Regards,

Nicholas

[yotphix]

Nicholas, I will try to find time to give you a better answer over the next day or two but let me say that one of the highlights of your trip will be the North Channel. This is the area, North of Lake Huron and at the extreme NW end of Georgian Bay. There are endless beautiful sights up there. You will pass countless islands and sheer limestone cliffs, all the while in the clearest water imaginable. Sounds like a fantastic trip!

[K1W1]

Hi,

Why would you require Magnesium Anodes to cruise up in the Fresh Water regions you describe in your post?

[nas130]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Why would you require Magnesium Anodes to cruise up in the Fresh Water regions you describe in your post?

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that zinc and aluminum anodes do not corrode/oxidize in fresh water.

Nicholas

[K1W1]

Hi,

Thanks for your straight forward reply.

I can't say for sure which is why I asked.

I was under the impression that the need for anodes was nil in fresh water.

Maybe someone with an intimate knowledge of the subject can enlighten both of us

[WannabeeYhtsman]

No trip to that area is complete without a visit to the Bruce Peninsula and a stop in the Harbour of Tobermory. Little Tub Habour is a small but deep harbour but for a boat of your size you will need to call ahead for docking.

This is a great area for diving and hiking. Fathom Five Nation Marine Park is crystal clear blue water underwater national park ideal for exploring shipwrecks. A few of the wrecks are very visible from above the water but I am not sure you can use your own yacht to explore them.

Enjoy your trip

Cheers

http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=destinations&key2=Sou thwestern&key3=BrucePeninsula&language=EN&linkType =I

http://www.tobermory.org/

If you stay overnight in Tobermory, plan to have dinner at the Grandview Dining Room, great views and even better food.

[nas130]

Thanks for all your help guys, keep it coming.

The waterway guide claimed that Georgian Bay is the best fresh water cruising in the world.

Does anyone have any more ideas on the technical aspects of the trip?

Nicholas

[Loren Schweizer]

nas130:
In your description of the vessel, you neglected to mention hull material.
At 90' LOA, you might be an aluminum Broward and I don't think magnesium anodic protection is recommended for that application due to the extremely high galvanic voltage that would ensue.

You might try boatzincs.com for a definitive answer and check with your engine mfg'er. for good measure.

[viking 58]

If cruising the north channel be sure to have some extra wheels on board.

Below are a few pictures from our last trip. We entered at Meldrum Bay then to Whales Back on the hook to Little Current to The Sportsman's in Kilarney and then back to Drummond Island.

Great Trip

[viking 58]

a few more.

[nas130]

Thanks again for all of your answers.

I had heard that the North Channel is pretty skinny.

The boat is aluminum. Those pictures are amazing, I am getting really excited to be cruising in such a beautiful place.

Nicholas

[mp-willow]

Nas130> That trip is very nice. Toranto is one of my favorite Canadian Cities. Fathon 5 marine park is worth a stop if you like diving or snorkeling. Also if you can the citie's theature is almost as good as New York.

When traveling the cannal take your time and relax. Look out for a few small towns and local country charm. Do you need a pilot for New York Harbor? As for the lakes, Fishing!! Have a grand time.

[CaptEvan]

The Welland Canal is mainly a commercial one, meaning they do no favors for recreational vessels and it is hard on fenders. Assuming from your length you will have at least 3 crew aboard you will be fine by rule, but not by knowledge. It is best to hire a local to lock through (about $150), as most of them work for the canal authority and their advice is invaluable. PM me and I will give you an excellent contact and phone number.

For the most part you can check into Canadian customs by calling 1-800-CANPASS. If it has getten any more complicated in the last years, they can guide you through it.

While you will love Georgian Bay, and hopefully the North Channel, be cautious with that draft as levels will be low this season. If nothing more, be sure to visit Kilarney and Portage Cove just beyond it to the northwest. This might lure you further.

Oh, and zinc anodes are fine in freshwater, they just last a lot longer.

Evan

[yotphix]

Toronto is a great city! At your size you will have to book a berth in advance though as there is really only one that will work for you. It is a great spot - for security, since it is in front of the Toronto Police Marine Unit, for amenities since it is just steps from a great waterfront Hotel with a rooftop pool/bar and right downtown.
I have no idea what sort of things your boss likes to do but Toronto in the summer has a lot going on, something for everyone.
Fuel might be little tough. I think that you mike be able to get into the Ontario Place fuel dock, though it is definitely not longer than your boat. You might also be able to temporarily use one of the Harbour Tour/party boat spots and get a truck for fuel.
Ditto the above post for the Welland canal, it definitely caters to the lake freighters but the locks are 730' long and 80' wide so lots of space. It is hell on fenders as the walls are rough and there is a lot of turbulence in the locks when they are filling. When we are in the Panama we put multiple layers of plastic garbage bag on ours in place of the usual soft covers.
You might try these http://www.portsbooks.com/ cruising guides. They are marketed toward much smaller boats but they are about as comprehensive as it gets.
got to run again, good luck though, man I'm jealous!

[yotphix]

http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/no...oor/marine.php

Oh yeah, these are the people to talk to about John Quay, scroll down on the page. That's where you will have to park.