2023 cruising, So Where are You Going?

[Unclematt]

I am 7 months into the Great Loop solo. Currently on the West side of southern Florida past Sarasota. So far about 4000 miles logged and I now plan to go around again. I think the first time teaches you about the journey the second time you is when you can really enjoy it.

 

[Jeff F]

I am 7 months into the Great Loop solo. Currently on the West side of southern Florida past Sarasota. So far about 4000 miles logged and I now plan to go around again. I think the first time teaches you about the journey the second time you is when you can really enjoy it.

I love that area. Next time I go around I'm going to take a ton of food and supplies, a kayak and hopefully a companion, and spend a few weeks in Everglades National Park.

 

[Jeff F]

...and hopefully a companion, and spend a few weeks in Everglades National Park.

Unfortunately the park doesn't allow dogs

http://boatingadventures.ca/2022/01/06/the-everglades/

 

[Jeff F]

Maybe I'll take it up with the AGLCA. There have been complaints for a while. A petition?

I posted to the AGLCA forum and it didn't go down particularly well. Guess I should get down off my high horse

 

[mbdana]

2023 Cruising plans

We are planning on the Triangle Loop for the summer. Leaving Rockland, Maine about the first of June, down to NYC, up the Hudson to the Erie Canal, out the Oswego River to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence for the Thousand Islands then up the Rideau to Ottawa and down to Montreal, down the Richileau to Lake Champlain then down the Champlain Canal back to the Hudson and back by NYC to Maine. Planning to be back by the end of September.

Thank you OC for getting this thread going again. It is great to see what folks are doing and where we will all be headed.
This must be a case of great Maine minds, think alike. Like AnsleyS, we too are headed from Potts Harbor, Casco Bay at the end of May, bound for NYC/Hudson River to the Erie Canal. We will divert to a couple of the Finger Lakes (Cayuga/Senica) before we head out of the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario, Thousand Island area, To Kingston Ontario, up the Rideau to Ottawa, Ottawa River to Montreal, St. Lawrence River to Sorrel and down the Richleau Canal. Will then linger in Lake Champlain for a bit before heading south on the Champlain canal and the Hudson. We will then (tentative) try to find a spot to leave the boat in Maryland or Virginia around mid September to return home to Maine for a few weeks of winterizing and then back to the boat for a winter cruise down the AICW for a round up with some other underway Mainahs, then all proceed to the Bahamas for a few months.....after that????. I

Feverishly planning,
Mike Dana
Third Reef
36' Grand Banks Classic #819
Potts Harbor Maine (South Harpswell)

 

[Captgary175]

Wintering on the hard

 

[O C Diver]

This must be a case of great Maine minds, think alike. Like AnsleyS, we too are headed from Potts Harbor, Casco Bay at the end of May, bound for NYC/Hudson River to the Erie Canal. We will divert to a couple of the Finger Lakes (Cayuga/Senica) before we head out of the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario, Thousand Island area, To Kingston Ontario, up the Rideau to Ottawa, Ottawa River to Montreal, St. Lawrence River to Sorrel and down the Richleau Canal. Will then linger in Lake Champlain for a bit before heading south on the Champlain canal and the Hudson. We will then (tentative) try to find a spot to leave the boat in Maryland or Virginia around mid September to return home to Maine for a few weeks of winterizing and then back to the boat for a winter cruise down the AICW for a round up with some other underway Mainahs, then all proceed to the Bahamas for a few months.....after that????. I

Feverishly planning,
Mike Dana
Third Reef
36' Grand Banks Classic #819
Potts Harbor Maine (South Harpswell)

Another ambitious plan for a great year of cruising! I'm glad to see people getting out and living their cruising dreams. For most of us, we're in the later part of our lives, and it would be easy to argue that the economy might be in a deeper recession or the price of fuel is going to be too high. But the real reality is that you won't know when your window of opportunity will close, until it's has.

Ted

 

[Jeff F]

For those traveling the Trent Severn, watch out for the ogre at the train bridge.
http://boatingadventures.ca/2023/02/03/couchiching-rr-bridge-rant/

 

[mbevins]

For those traveling the Trent Severn, watch out for the ogre at the train bridge.
http://boatingadventures.ca/2023/02/03/couchiching-rr-bridge-rant/

Been there, done that, don't need the T shirt

 

[O C Diver]

My impression of the bridge and operator from last summer were a little different. Was anchored the previous night at the top of Lake Simcoe. Left at first light and motored a couple of hours to the railroad bridge, which was broken.

I've always worked under the principle that when you come to bridges and locks, you're at their mercy and you pass at they're convenience. Show up with your hat in your hand, be polite, say please , and always wave and say thank you, even when it takes 6 hours.

Came along side the bridge and asked politely what the prognosis was. He responded hours and that I should go back up to the lake and wait. Call lock 42 periodically as they would know when the bridge was operable. Thanked him and waited for 4 or 5 hours on the lake before we could pass through. Thanked him and waved when we finally made it through.

My thoughts and impressions are that the bridge is broken more than it's working. The operating system is probably a hundred years old and the bridge tenders are as frustrated with the bridge as we are. It also seems to me that management is all over the bridge tender to make sure the bridge doesn't break in the open position (blocking train passage). It's a thankless job that won't improve until the turn system is replaced. They carry a 5 gallon gas can to the very top of the bridge and try to start a model T engine hooked to a massive gear reduction that literally shakes the bridge open and closed. Truly don't understand in a semi socialist country, why the government doesn't force the railroad to replace the operating system that regularly blocks a national waterway.

Ted

 

[Jeff F]

My thoughts and impressions are that the bridge is broken more than it's working. The operating system is probably a hundred years old and the bridge tenders are as frustrated with the bridge as we are. It also seems to me that management is all over the bridge tender to make sure the bridge doesn't break in the open position (blocking train passage). It's a thankless job that won't improve until the turn system is replaced. They carry a 5 gallon gas can to the very top of the bridge and try to start a model T engine hooked to a massive gear reduction that literally shakes the bridge open and closed.

Yep. I can understand wanting to minimize use. They could open 2x daily on a schedule.

 

[Old Sea Dog]

Planning on heading out on The Great Loop in June. Shoving off from Somers Cove in Crisfield MD.
"OLD BAY"
GB 36 #599

 

[Simi 60]

Ran back in to the mainland yesterday and further in again and up a creek today in anticipation of this going past Thursday/ Friday.
Being 65nm out in a coral lagoon didn't feel like the place to be.

Plus I have a wine delivery waiting so I needed to be back by early next week anyway.

 

[O C Diver]

Planning on heading out on The Great Loop in June. Shoving off from Somers Cove in Crisfield MD.
"OLD BAY"
GB 36 #599

Use to have a slip in Sommers cove. I usually stop there for a few days to scrub the boat before heading up to Scott's Cove in Chance MD.

Good people in both places.

Ted

 

[FWT]

Another ambitious plan for a great year of cruising! I'm glad to see people getting out and living their cruising dreams. For most of us, we're in the later part of our lives, and it would be easy to argue that the economy might be in a deeper recession or the price of fuel is going to be too high. But the real reality is that you won't know when your window of opportunity will close, until it's has.

Ted

Very well said

 

[Jeff F]

Was anchored the previous night at the top of Lake Simcoe. Left at first light and motored a couple of hours to the railroad bridge, which was broken.

I used a similar approach on a previous trip through. No problems, except that I was mildly harassed by a local homeowner when anchoring at the head of the lake.

I think the best approach is to call the lock on the phone before departing Orillia. They know the status of the bridge, and when it's likely to open for upbound boats.

What got my goat was the bridge tender coming after me for anchoring in the canal.

 

[FWT]

So Where are You Going?

Good question, and one that has been on my mind today.

Best answer is, somewhere and anywhere. But close to home.

This spring, approximately in May, I'll be celebrating the birth of my Helmsman 38 which is due to arrive. A christening party may well be an early event.

Folks here understand what's involved in a new boat. First it arrives and commissioning is completed. Then comes the processing of a lot of paper, from insurance to coast guard registration, and so forth. Writing the last big check.

Then comes electronics installation.

There will be scores of projects to square things away. Lists grow by the day. Which isn't a bad thing. I have always found just messing around on boats to be its own fulfillment.

I am still working this year, and retiring next year. Its both by necessity and my wife's request that we take our cruising plans a step at a time. She comes at this with enthusiasm but zero experience. That's fine. Best to stay within comfort zones. Getting things squared away almost precludes any extended cruises, anyway, given I'll still be working 6-7 hours away from the boat.

But, 2022 will be a return to the water. That alone is plenty of reward to begin with. I've been charting out a return to old haunts in the mid to upper Chesapeake, and looking into some new ones. Just planning those today helped the attitude on a bitter cold New England weekend.

Its 2023 when the wings are spread a bit more. That's assuming a smooth exit from a long career in June, and an exit from CT. At least, that's Plan A. Hopefully none of that creates challenges for a long summer cruise next year. North Carolina?

 

[O C Diver]

I used a similar approach on a previous trip through. No problems, except that I was mildly harassed by a local homeowner when anchoring at the head of the lake.

I was anchored about a mile West of Shannon Bay. Nice block from the NW wind. No houses, just tall trees along the shore.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

But, 2022 will be a return to the water. That alone is plenty of reward to begin with. I've been charting out a return to old haunts in the mid to upper Chesapeake, and looking into some new ones. Just planning those today helped the attitude on a bitter cold New England weekend.

Lots of great cruising on the Chesapeake. Couple of favorites on my list are:

Anchoring out and dinghying to St Mary's city. Walking the ruins of Maryland's fist capital and the wonderful campus of St Mary's College.

A trip up the Pocomoke river is quite scenic and fun to paddle the river above the Snow Hill draw bridge.

Ted

 

[Jeff F]

I was anchored about a mile West of Shannon Bay. Nice block from the NW wind. No houses, just tall trees along the shore.



Ted

Yeah that's a nice spot. I was talking about Lake Couchiching. There really isn't a good spot to overnight between Cheif's Island and the bridge, maybe 10 miles further up. I understand the frustration with northbound boats approaching willy-nilly. There should be a check-in with the lock, I think.

 

[Jeff F]

There will be scores of projects to square things away. Lists grow by the day. Which isn't a bad thing. I have always found just messing around on boats to be its own fulfillment.

I'm envious. You don't have to hit it home in year one. Get out on the water in 2023, then make some serious plans

 

[FWT]

Lots of great cruising on the Chesapeake. Couple of favorites on my list are:

Anchoring out and dinghying to St Mary's city. Walking the ruins of Maryland's fist capital and the wonderful campus of St Mary's College.

A trip up the Pocomoke river is quite scenic and fun to paddle the river above the Snow Hill draw bridge.

Ted

Those spots are on my list, but probably not this year. I'm keeping the boat on Kent Island, and so given my schedule I'm thinking a number of 2 day trips (out and back). I do hope to squeeze in a full week in late summer but I can't yet count on that.

So its more likely some easy runs across the Bay to Annapolis. Rock Hall / Swan Creek. Chestertown, and some of the creeks along the Chester River. St. Michaels. Oxford. Fairlee, if I think I can get into it well enough with 4 ft draft. Worton. Sassafrass River. Maybe a cruise down memory lane up the Choptank to places I boated in my first boat at 8 years old. That sort of thing.

I do recall you singing the praises of the Pokomoke River. As a result that's on a sort of bucket list. I have family down in the Onancock VA area, so that's a given before too long.

I know the Eastern Shore side well, some parts from the land side only, some parts from the water side. The Western Shore far less well, so I'll be looking to spread wings there as well. "Everyone" goes to Solomons, so that has to be a checkbox stop, but there are so many others that catch my attention, and you mention St. Marys. With friends and family in DC, it would be a hoot for a long-ish excursion up the Potomac to DC. And more ... there's lots to do even if I don't leave the Bay, but I will. Just not in 2022.

 

[FWT]

I'm envious. You don't have to hit it home in year one. Get out on the water in 2023, then make some serious plans

Thanks. And that's precisely my thought.

I'm serious about just enjoying messing around on boats. That's not the same thing as having a "dock queen." Its just that if duty calls and some projects command attention, I'll be enjoying myself nonetheless.

 

[darkside]

We have similar colorful pictures as Simi coming, we just have to wait a bit longer.
Spent the weekend out at Great Barrier (the island not the reef) and hiked up Mt Hobson.
No more boat trips till Easter for us with some work travel coming up.

 

[Jeff F]

I'm serious about just enjoying messing around on boats. That's not the same thing as having a "dock queen." Its just that if duty calls and some projects command attention, I'll be enjoying myself nonetheless.

Excellent. Self-awareness is key.

Me, I'm 0% dock queen, 30% dreamer/tinkerer/schemer, and 70% going places.

Best wishes with the new boat.

 

[ranger58sb]

Lots of great cruising on the Chesapeake. Couple of favorites on my list are:

Anchoring out and dinghying to St Mary's city. Walking the ruins of Maryland's fist capital and the wonderful campus of St Mary's College.

A trip up the Pocomoke river is quite scenic and fun to paddle the river above the Snow Hill draw bridge.

I'm keeping the boat on Kent Island, and so given my schedule I'm thinking a number of 2 day trips (out and back).

So its more likely some easy runs across the Bay to Annapolis. Rock Hall / Swan Creek. Chestertown, and some of the creeks along the Chester River. St. Michaels. Oxford. Fairlee, if I think I can get into it well enough with 4 ft draft. Worton. Sassafrass River. Maybe a cruise down memory lane up the Choptank to places I boated in my first boat at 8 years old. That sort of thing.

I do recall you singing the praises of the Pokomoke River. As a result that's on a sort of bucket list. I have family down in the Onancock VA area, so that's a given before too long.

I know the Eastern Shore side well, some parts from the land side only, some parts from the water side. The Western Shore far less well, so I'll be looking to spread wings there as well.

...Just not in 2022.

I think this is 2023 already.



All good places. Our hope this year is to concentrate on more Chesapeake south of us in mid-Bay: Deltaville? Tides Inn? Reedville? Onancock? Crisfield? Et cetera... Plus all our usual stops.

Has anyone here gone up the Wicomico to Salisbury?

If you need ideas about our shore, I can speak to several...

-Chris

 

[FWT]

I think this is 2023 already.



All good places. Our hope this year is to concentrate on more Chesapeake south of us in mid-Bay: Deltaville? Tides Inn? Reedville? Onancock? Crisfield? Et cetera... Plus all our usual stops.

Has anyone here gone up the Wicomico to Salisbury?

If you need ideas about our shore, I can speak to several...

-Chris

OOPS.

For 2023, yes 2023, if you have suggestions for north of Solomons I'd welcome those.

Ever been in Whitehall Creek, just north of the Severn? I know a bit of the area from the land side, and thinking it should be lovely?

 

[O C Diver]

Has anyone here gone up the Wicomico to Salisbury?

I've done the upper part of the Wicomico maybe 25 years ago. It's certainly very navigable as Salisbury has a ship building yard. Also, tugs and barges travel to Salisbury for the heating oil terminal. There is also a major marine construction company with tugs and barge above the draw bridge.

There is a city marina in Salisbury just below the draw bridge.

Ted

 

[FWT]

I've done the upper part of the Wicomico maybe 25 years ago. It's certainly very navigable as Salisbury has a ship building yard. Also, tugs and barges travel to Salisbury for the heating oil terminal. There is also a major marine construction company with tugs and barge above the draw bridge.

There is a city marina in Salisbury just below the draw bridge.

Ted

Yep. Thanks.

I'm pretty familiar with that area from the land side. I lived a few hundred yards from the river near Upper Ferry 15-20 years ago. For the sake of others reading this, if you are looking for a less well traveled destination where you can get off and wander, there are places to do that in an easy walk, but just ask about the correct direction (head toward downtown, and not the other direction, for safety). By that marina is an active bar / restaurant that's pretty active. Brew River. Or, a hole in the wall spot on the other side, short walk, called Market Street.

I'd be cautious about trying to anchor too close to the shipyard, as they have been known to fling some paint in the air in overspray creating a light misty coat on cars across the river. And as you point out the river has active commercial traffic in a narrow river, so be on guard for that and if the plan is to anchor be sure to account for that as you pick a spot.

The ferry crossings are active, or at least were. Small ferries that hold maybe 4 cars. They operate by pulling themselves along a cable in the water so don't crowd the ferry as it crosses, giving plenty of time for that cable to sink to the bottom again after a passing. Nothing to fear, but just don't crowd it.

Further down near the mouth is a crab house that is a favorite of locals, that is probably walkable but I've never looked at it for that possibility. The Red Roost. There is a dock bar where you would come ashore that I'm not familiar with.

I'll make that trip one day if for no other reason than to visit with old friends that today are too seldom seen.

For the same reason, I'll be going to Crisfield which I know has been your HQ on the Chesapeake. And probably Deal Island. Probably Cape Charles, just because I used to know it from the land side. Ditto Pokomoke ("Pokey Mokey") and Snow Hill ("Slow Hill")

One goal I won't soon do is to circumnavigate the Delmarva. On the ocean side, stops in Ocean City and Chincoteague are obvious. And when I do those it may take days for my liver to recover from recreation with friends. But I think I'd want an anchorage spot halfway between Chincoteague and around into the Bay to Cape Charles or over to Norfolk area. Any anchorage suggestions?

 

[Old Sea Dog]

Whitehall bay used to be an anchoring/swimming spot back in the '70s. Used to keep my Cal 2-27 in Spa creek. Been out of that area since early '80s. Looking forward to cruising The Bay again.