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Cruise of Wind Dancer
Cruise of Wind Dancer
('93 Hunter 30T)
('93 Hunter 30T)
Diane and Steve of Navy Point and Ithaca, NY
Diane and Steve of Navy Point and Ithaca, NY
July 25 -- Aug 4, 2007
July 25 -- Aug 4, 2007
Kingston, ON and 1000 Islands, St Lawrence River
Kingston, ON and 1000 Islands, St Lawrence River
We left Navy Point Marina, Sackets Harbor, NY early Wednesday morning July 25 and motored about 35 miles to Picton Island near Clayton, NY. We anchored here one night and then proceeded about 1 mile to Picnic Pt State Park on Grindstone Island, NY and also anchored.
We left Navy Point Marina, Sackets Harbor, NY early Wednesday morning July 25 and motored about 35 miles to Picton Island near Clayton, NY. We anchored here one night and then proceeded about 1 mile to Picnic Pt State Park on Grindstone Island, NY and also anchored.
Friday morning we sailed most of the way to Kingston via the Canadian Middle Channel. We stayed two nights at Confederation Basin in the heart of historic Kingston. There was a party for Navy Pointers on Second Chance Saturday (17 boats from Navy Pt were in Confed Basin on Saturday).
Friday morning we sailed most of the way to Kingston via the Canadian Middle Channel. We stayed two nights at Confederation Basin in the heart of historic Kingston. There was a party for Navy Pointers on Second Chance Saturday (17 boats from Navy Pt were in Confed Basin on Saturday).
Diane and I went to the Kingston Tattoo Saturday night. This is a gathering of military bands at Fort Henry. Parades, bag pipes, fire works, etc.
Diane and I went to the Kingston Tattoo Saturday night. This is a gathering of military bands at Fort Henry. Parades, bag pipes, fire works, etc.
Sunday morning we left with seven other Navy Pt boats for the third annual Navy Point Association Cruise led by Oasis. They were headed west to Toronto. Wind Dancer stopped at Olympic Harbour, Kingston for fuel, ice, and pump out and then spinnaker drifted west. We gave up trying to keep up with the rest of the fleet and turned back east alone. The islands beckoned.
Sunday morning we left with seven other Navy Pt boats for the third annual Navy Point Association Cruise led by Oasis. They were headed west to Toronto. Wind Dancer stopped at Olympic Harbour, Kingston for fuel, ice, and pump out and then spinnaker drifted west. We gave up trying to keep up with the rest of the fleet and turned back east alone. The islands beckoned.
We didn't touch a dock again until we returned to Navy Pt Marina Saturday Aug 4. We anchored Sunday night in Cassidys Bay, Howe Island, then spent two days on a Canadian National Park mooring at Thwartway (Leek) Island. We anchored one night at nearby Endymion Island, then anchored again one night each at Picnic Pt. and Picton Island. The weather was settled, hot, sunny, and breezy at times. A full moon added to the pleasure of remote anchorages.
We didn't touch a dock again until we returned to Navy Pt Marina Saturday Aug 4. We anchored Sunday night in Cassidys Bay, Howe Island, then spent two days on a Canadian National Park mooring at Thwartway (Leek) Island. We anchored one night at nearby Endymion Island, then anchored again one night each at Picnic Pt. and Picton Island. The weather was settled, hot, sunny, and breezy at times. A full moon added to the pleasure of remote anchorages.
We had a glorious quiet morning sail up the St Lawrence past Clayton. We then broad reached at hull speed from Tibbetts Pt at the head of the St Lawrence to Pt Peninsula, and then ran wing on wing to arrive back at Navy Pt. about 1530 Saturday Aug 4. About 35 miles in all from Picton Island.
We had a glorious quiet morning sail up the St Lawrence past Clayton. We then broad reached at hull speed from Tibbetts Pt at the head of the St Lawrence to Pt Peninsula, and then ran wing on wing to arrive back at Navy Pt. about 1530 Saturday Aug 4. About 35 miles in all from Picton Island.
Approaching Picton Island, near Clayton, NY. The island on the left is Grindstone Is. The islands on the right
Approaching Picton Island, near Clayton, NY. The island on the left is Grindstone Is. The islands on the right
are Bluff and Picton Islands. Our new inflatable (Puttney) is carried on deck (large blue bag).
are Bluff and Picton Islands. Our new inflatable (Puttney) is carried on deck (large blue bag).
Wind Dancer at anchor at Picton Island. This looks very "open" but is actually well protected from the prevailing wind.
Wind Dancer at anchor at Picton Island. This looks very "open" but is actually well protected from the prevailing wind.
The islands in the background are Murray Isle and Wellesley Island. This is Eel Bay.
The islands in the background are Murray Isle and Wellesley Island. This is Eel Bay.
Picton Island anchorage. Windy is the sailboat furthest to the left.
Picton Island anchorage. Windy is the sailboat furthest to the left.
Windy at Picton Island
Windy at Picton Island
Naturally we had to use our new dinghy. Here's Diane on a beautiful little island near Picton Island. Puttney is in the background pulled up on shore.
Naturally we had to use our new dinghy. Here's Diane on a beautiful little island near Picton Island. Puttney is in the background pulled up on shore.
Another picture of Crawford Island. The islands are pink granite.
Another picture of Crawford Island. The islands are pink granite.
This is looking toward Picton Island which has coves on its NE side and SW side. This is looking toward the anchorage on the SW side--very convenient if the wind shifts to the NE, as is clear from the satellite shot on page 1. The SWcove has a smooth sand bottom and is popular with power boats day-tripping.
This is looking toward Picton Island which has coves on its NE side and SW side. This is looking toward the anchorage on the SW side--very convenient if the wind shifts to the NE, as is clear from the satellite shot on page 1. The SWcove has a smooth sand bottom and is popular with power boats day-tripping.
Picnic Pt State Park on Grindstone Island. Picnic Pt is in the background. It is called "Picnic Point" because the fish guides have their fish bakes here.
Picnic Pt State Park on Grindstone Island. Picnic Pt is in the background. It is called "Picnic Point" because the fish guides have their fish bakes here.
After two days at Picton Island and Picnic Pt we sailed to Kingston (Fri July 27). We docked at Confederation Basin in the heart of Kingston. We did the party on Second Chance and the Kingston Tattoo at Fort Henry.
After two days at Picton Island and Picnic Pt we sailed to Kingston (Fri July 27). We docked at Confederation Basin in the heart of Kingston. We did the party on Second Chance and the Kingston Tattoo at Fort Henry.
Diane on Windy at Kingston. Pic taken from Sea Knight.
Diane on Windy at Kingston. Pic taken from Sea Knight.
View of Navy Bay, the Royal Military College, and Kingston in the background. We anchored in Navy Bay last summer for two days during a NE storm.
View of Navy Bay, the Royal Military College, and Kingston in the background. We anchored in Navy Bay last summer for two days during a NE storm.
The Royal Canadian Ceremonial Guard at the Kingston Tattoo
The Royal Canadian Ceremonial Guard at the Kingston Tattoo
Anchorage at Cassidys Bay, Howe Island. This is only good for a NE wind. Puttney's outboard motor is hung on the cockpit rail. This is the only day we had NE, the rest of the time it was SW, day and night.
Anchorage at Cassidys Bay, Howe Island. This is only good for a NE wind. Puttney's outboard motor is hung on the cockpit rail. This is the only day we had NE, the rest of the time it was SW, day and night.
Harbor (or harbour) at Thwartway Island (called Leek Island on the charts). We stayed at a mooring here. $20.
Harbor (or harbour) at Thwartway Island (called Leek Island on the charts). We stayed at a mooring here. $20.
Can you find Windy? She's just about in the middle.
Can you find Windy? She's just about in the middle.
Much of the shore of Thwartway is wild, remote, and seldom visited (except by nuts like me), even though it is a popular spot for cruising boats and day-trippers--it has three beachy coves on the W side.
Much of the shore of Thwartway is wild, remote, and seldom visited (except by nuts like me), even though it is a popular spot for cruising boats and day-trippers--it has three beachy coves on the W side.
There I am on the shore of Thwartway looking like a religous mystic. Actually I think I was just going a little daft from too much sun--we didn't see hardly a cloud for almost a week.
There I am on the shore of Thwartway looking like a religous mystic. Actually I think I was just going a little daft from too much sun--we didn't see hardly a cloud for almost a week.
The white clothes came into use because we were getting so much sun.
The white clothes came into use because we were getting so much sun.
Windy at Thwartway. Mooring is visible.
Windy at Thwartway. Mooring is visible.
After Thwartway we proceeded through the channels to Endymion Island, another national park island. There were about 30 sailboats and a few power boats anchored in the main (south) anchorage of Endymion. There were no moorings available, so we elected to anchor in the rather narrow anchorage on the N side of Endymion. The holding was good but we were in 38' of water--a bit deep for our chain and rode. We had about a 3 to 1 scope and the wind whistled all night but we didn't budge.
After Thwartway we proceeded through the channels to Endymion Island, another national park island. There were about 30 sailboats and a few power boats anchored in the main (south) anchorage of Endymion. There were no moorings available, so we elected to anchor in the rather narrow anchorage on the N side of Endymion. The holding was good but we were in 38' of water--a bit deep for our chain and rode. We had about a 3 to 1 scope and the wind whistled all night but we didn't budge.
Windy at N anchorage of Endymion Island. The inner boats are in about 6'. Windy is in 38'.
Windy at N anchorage of Endymion Island. The inner boats are in about 6'. Windy is in 38'.
Diane on Windy at Endymion.
Diane on Windy at Endymion.
Seven Pines Island near Thwartway.
Seven Pines Island near Thwartway.
View of Endymion N anchorage
View of Endymion N anchorage
Under sail near Clayton. Bluff Island and Picton Island in the background.
Under sail near Clayton. Bluff Island and Picton Island in the background.
"Cottage" on Bluff Island. The 1000 Islands is famous for its fine old island cottages--some grand like this one, and many rather modest.
"Cottage" on Bluff Island. The 1000 Islands is famous for its fine old island cottages--some grand like this one, and many rather modest.
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