Ports Update: Gore Bay, ON

Gore Bay is one of the busiest ports on the North Channel. It is well-situated for easy runs from Killarney to Detour Village. 

With a long maritime history, Gore Bay remains a popular stop-over for sailors cruising the North Channel.

Here is a detailed port review on Gore Bay, ON: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/gore_bay.html

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

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Fair Winds

Michael 

New Section: The North Channel

The North Channel is one of the finest sailing grounds in the world; frequently ranked in the top 3-5. Fantastic scenery, splendid isolation and pristine waters make this a magnet for sailors exploring northern waters.

A new section has been added to www.great-lakes-sailing.com titled NORTH CHANNEL. Currently with 5 ports listed, over time, this section will see a number of other interesting ports and anchorages added.

Here is the introduction to the North Channel: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/north_channel.html

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

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Fair Winds

Michael 

Port Update: Club Island

Club Island isn't a port per se. Rather, it's a small, uninhabited island that lies in western Georgian Bay, about half way between Tobermory and Killarney.

It has a protected anchorage and is a good spot to duck into if the weather turns bad on the trip up to the North Channel.

Here is a detailed review of Club Island: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/club_island.html

All 100+ ports reviews are free to access, download or print.

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Clearing Lines - Another way to plot a safe course

The previous post profiled the port of Racine WI. The approach to Racine WI has a very clearly marked hazard - Racine Reef - that has brought many ships to grief. In discussing the approach, reference was made to clearing lines.

 Sometimes when navigating, you don’t need to know exactly where you are you are. It may be enough to know approximately where you are, and to be sure that you are clear of dangers. If you can draw a single position line, you can tell at a glance which side you are on to keep out of danger. This line is known as a clearing line. 

In the section on plotting a course (  http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/course_plotting.html ) there is a fuller discussion on this and other aspects of plotting. 

And remember - a basic principal of navigation is to NEVER leave a known safe position for an unknown position until you have worked out a plan for your next leg.

As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.

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Fair Winds

Michael 

St Lawrence Seaway - Welland Canal & The Soo Locks

Ever wonder whats involved in 'climbing the stairs' around Niagara Falls?The Welland Canal is an engineering marvel - as is the entire St. Lawrence Seaway. Both the Wellan Canal and the Soo Locks open up the vast reaches of the upper lakes to every sailors and let you explore right into the heart of North America.

Click here for a description of the Seaway and the specifics of using both the Welland Canal and the Soo Locks: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com/st_lawrence_seaway.html



As always, all 100+ port reviews are free to access, download or print.