Chrysler Park to Galop

Late departure from Chrysler Park at 11, it was windy at the marina. We motored out and put the 130 head sail on. It was windy in the harbour, but the instruments said it was not that bad.  Just a perception of being windy. Safron was concerned.

Elixar left at 8 with the intention of getting to Brockville that day.

Winds were good but variable and shifty. As we got sailing Safron was comfortable with the strength of the wind but not with the how the wind was shifty.We eventually learn that if we did not tack, the winds would veer or back favoring our intended course.

We sailed to Broder Island. (or was it Ogen Island ?) By then we noticed lots of shoals with interesting names such Goose Neck Island Shoals, Doran Shoal, and we did not want an Allan Shoal .  We turned on the iron sail.





We had sailed for about 2 or 3 hours.  It was not a lot of sailing and we did not make a lot of headway, but whatever sailing was precious. 

Eventually we started sailing again.

When got pass Ogden Island towards Iroquois, a storm was coming up. We doused the sails and got foul weather gear.  We rode out the storm, and got to Iroquois Lock where we waited for an hour for two ships to pass, had a late lunch that was pretty much supper.

Passed Iroquois and went about six miles to Galop canal, where we tied up to the old canal wall.


The place was pretty and tying to the wall was different.

Snell and Eisenhower and Chrysler Park Marina

We got up, had breakfast, deweeded anchor and prop, did a visual fuel check and set out at 9 AM, past Cornwall Island to the Snell lock about 7 miles.  The scenery changed from Lake St Francis.  The currents at Cornwall Island was up to 3 knots at times.  

There was not a lot of dock space at Snell

At the dock, we met Carrie and Chris aboard Elixar at the Snell lock.  We tied up to them for Snell and and they tied up to us at Eisenhower.  They had diesel problems the night before so we followed them to Chrysler Park marina.  We got the Chrysler park, fueled up and docked at a transit dock and met up with Julie and kids on Elixar.

Daniele decided we would spend the night there.  

That is where we met the Admiral, who had a lot to say about the French language and how he was treated when he was in Montreal. He was also hitting on Safron. 

Later Safron was having a conversation with Julie.  I was not following their conversation.



We picnicked at the Marina on the butcher's sausages which were well below expectation, but the Brussels Spouts with sunflower seeds and Panchetta and Notting Hill Bin 808 were excellent.  Daniele really enjoyed the wine.  It turned out that she really enjoyed the white rum too.

Lac St. Francis

We got up late had breakfast, and finally got off at 11 from Coteau-Landing.  I seemed more anxious to get going than Daniéle.

Hobbs was 2979.8 upon departure of Coteau-Landing


We sailed in very light winds until 1:30 when we switched to the iron sail. after 5 nM of sailing in 2 1/2 hours. Not impressive, but pleasant and very hot.  It was going to be four more hours of motoring to get to St. Regis Island.

Daniéle hit a big dead fish. Quite a thump it caused. We also crossed a laker called Frontenac.


We got to an anchorage near Ile Pilon by 7:00. 5 hours on the almighty Atomic IV.  This was closer than St. Regis.

St. Francis is a nice lake.Scenery was nice after the lake starts to narrow near Summers Town.

Upon arrival, Daniéle finally acknowledged she was no longer stressed. I had not noticed.-- I mean I had not noticed she was stressed ! 

Moon getting full, awesome sunset at Ile Pilon. Nice. We were the only one there. 

Beauharnois Lock Coteaux Landing

Got up at 8 and checked the lock schedule. The lock passage was scheduled at 9 and 2. We pulled the anchor and gunned for the locks.

Indefinite delay at lower Beauharnois ... It was 10:30 before we got off.  Not so bad

We Met Calypso at the lock.

 

 Coteau Landing

Calypso showed us Coteau Landing.

We stopped at Couteau Landing at 3:30. No rush to keep going. Nice waters and swimming and hull cleaning.

Supper was Salmon with BBQ corn.  Nice sunset

 

Day one - preparation and departure

Danièle pulling me up the mast

Got up early at the harbour, and started doing things ....  First most on my mind was going up the mast to fix the steaming light.  Preliminary test showed the fuses and connections were fine, so it would be up the mast we go.  Danièle was keen to take me up the mast.  We did it and the problem was just dirty contacts, mostly spider goo.

We unpacked much stuff and settled on two 135's, a 170 and a 110 sail plan.

Le mess  avant de partir

Final groceries were done, follows by fuel and a good pump-out, we took off at 4pm.  Winds were light, we tried the 170, but it was motor all we could.

Nice "purple" sunset at Ile des Faubert

Arrived at Ile des Faubert at 7pm.  Engine stalled while anchoring.  I think the engine was hot after running for three hours and was idling too low for the oil pressure sensor to pick up so the fuel pump shut down.  After some cranking she started up fine.  We checked the anchor and had a beer.

About Galop Canal

It looks like we should follow Patrick's advise and take the Galop Canal after Cardinal to avoid the currents.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f66/galop-canal-navigation-85945.html#post997583

Allan recommends the Canadian pleasure craft channel after Brockville rather than the main seaway traffic. It is nicer and will probably be quieter without the big ships.

Iroquois

Gallop

Prepare for departure

Planning to leave Friday Morning, weather permitting, after sailing with Marie F and Benoit and Danièle.

Hobbs 2971.9  Raymarine milage log  3759.9