Summer cruising destinations?

O

outbackbill

Member
My wife and I have been living the dream cruising full time since our retirement last Spring. We spent last Summer in Maine and loved the weather. We would like some suggestions of other areas to explore this Summer while escaping the Florida heat. We prefer to anchor out in protected coves where we can kayak, fish and enjoy nature. We plan to stay east of the Rockies this year. We also have friends planning to meet us somewhere for a week in August and would like suggestions of a marina where they could stay ashore while we take daily boat trips.

Bill and Becky
 
if you don't mind a cross-country drive, there are very few places better for summer cruising than the San Juan Islands in Washington State, the Canadian Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the Broughtons, and even the Inside Passage, depending on how much time you have. Launch at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, which has free long term parking,
 
No C-Dory-specific experience in these areas, but a few places that come to mind east of the Rockies:

1) Lake Superior - Apostle Islands, or perhaps the area around Thunder Bay.

2) The North Channel (Lake Huron) or Thousand Islands.

3) Perhaps some of the east coast of Lake Michigan, although I'm less familiar with that area.

*****
4) Lake of the Woods (MN/Ontario)

5) Voyageurs (MN/Ontario)

5) Lake Champlain (Vermont/NY/Quebec)

5) Trent Severn waterway, etc.

I'm thinking I will probably head up to the Pacific Northwest this summer, but a few of the places on the above list area also calling :D
 
We are considering the Apostle Islands, and other parts of Lakes Superior/ Huron in the early part of this summer. We traveled there by RV last year-and felt it was excellent C Dory country. There are also many great lakes and rivers in upper Wisconsin, and the UP of Michigan. I believe one could spend many summers in this area, without repeating.
 
Thataway: Glad you liked it (that's my home turf :D) Main negative (IMO) is the very short season, but if you are trailering in specifically for it, no problem. I was (am?) seriously considering it for this summer, but the PNW is "winning" my internal debate because, one, it's also very nice, and two, it makes a natural "swing" down to Powell in the fall, which is also so neat (but then there are many lovely fall color places in the midwest too). I guess you really can't go wrong :thup
 
The New York Canal System (Erie Canal and others that connect to it) and Hudson River offer a great cruising experience. Head north from there and do the Trent-Severn Waterway, Georgian Bay... oh, goodness, you may need more than the whole summer. :wink:

The Hudson, NYC, and Erie Canal are easy cruising... interesting history in all the towns along the waterway. Easy access for staying on town/canal walls, supplies, restaurants, etc. It got warm when we were there in August, but not Florida hot/humid. Plenty of options for your shore bound friends in that area, and LOTS of day-tripping you can do with them.

North to the 1,000 Islands area between NY and Canada. Trent-Severn... cooler water, more open than the Erie Canal. Take that to the NW end and you are in Georgian Bay (30,000 Islands).

With that done, maybe it's time to sew up the rest of the Great Loop? SO MANY options.

As another option, pick any northern state, get some info from there, and hit every cruiseable lake.

You have a great boat - like a magic carpet to take you anywhere your imagination comes up with.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

And when you're ready to try the left coast (yes, I saw the part about not going west of the Rockies), Pat is right on about the San Juan Islands and all the other endless cruising in the Pacific Northwest.
 
We are going to put in at the Statue of Liberty in Jersey City and head up the Hudson to the Champlain canal to Lake Champlain and onto the Richelieu river and the Chambly canal and to the St Lawrence river. We will launch the boat and put it in slip at the Liberty Landing Marina. Then we will take the truck and trailer north to Rouces Point New York which just south of the Canadian border. I'm thinking 400 plus miles. We are going to take the train the Adirondack 68 that runs from Montreal to New York City's Penn Station to get back to the boat. It has a stop at Rouces Point New York. Because the boat will be in New Jersey a cab and water taxi ride is part of the journey. After reaching the St Lawrence river we circle back south to Rouces Point, N.Y. to pull the boat. We are planning to go at the beginning of September as July and August can be hot and humid even up there. Picking off pieces of the loop a summer at a time.
D.D.
 
North Channel... folks spend the entire summer there anchored enjoying the wildlife, fishing, and the peace and quiet.

One of our favorites.

Have fun.
 
Don't overlook the upper Mississippi River for your summertime pleasure. The bluffs are awesome, the backwaters intriguing and the river folk inviting. Doug
 
Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. With so many options it's hard to know where to start. We have decided to start with the upper Mississippi, then to Voyageurs National Park. Possibly Apostle Islands or Georgian Bay after that. We are looking forward to visiting the west coast and hopefully that will be next year.

Bill and Becky
 
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