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North Channel Rendezvous

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/29/2003 : 15:35:31

I'm not sure about how to do this officially but I am wondering if there would be interest in a rendezvous in the North Channel in July 04? Arlyn and I have discussed the topic and I would be happy to start the organizational wheels turning. What is the opinion of the association officials? do we need to go through the commodore, or just run up the burghee and see who signs on? Is there interest?
Since I live up there all summer it would be convenient for me to act as coordinator but I leave that open to discussion. Those of us who sail the NC regularly tend to avoid the Benjamins but to a newcommer they are quite spectacular provided you visit on a weekday. there are many points were local knowledge is helpful and would make a novice cruise more enjoyable.

now is the time to start planning so let me know

John V.
Nin Bimash II
Neebish Island, MI
77 C25 sk/sr #153

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2003 : 12:57:42

John,

I have a 10 day to 2 week window around that time for planning a cruise. I'll have to work on my trailer for a trip to St. Ignace, Michigan where I suppose I would launch. I live in Houghton, Michigan (the U.P.), about a four hour road trip.

Keep us posted on the responce/planning progress.

Al
GALLIVANT #5801

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2003 : 14:15:49

While I want to and probably will cruise the North Channel again this year, there are other things going on that compete for my time and money.

My son wants me to back pack in Colorado in June with him. I'd like to fly to the Nationals and of course escape the July and August Texas heat. The Trailer/Sailor group cruise is mid July to the end of the month.

A change here is that my lead carpenter left town this last summer to persue and internet romance and this requires me to shut things down if I leave town.

My best thoughts right now would be that I will likely be free to meet and sail with a Catalina group Aug 1-16.

I've talked a little with Jerry Hardin who has a C25 among a couple of other boats and he is thinking perhaps of hauling to the North Channel sometime as well.

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2003 : 16:09:40

Thanks for the replies. I was begining to think that this thread would be a total dead end. I was thinking of setting a launch-meeting site at either Blind River or Spanish Ontario. The Idea would be to plan a cruise in such a way as to eliminate the major crossing from the lower peninsula or st. Ignace. Starting anywhere in the US would require several days of hard sailing. I'm not discouraging anyone from getting there in the way they most enjoy, however I was hoping to share the beauty of the NC with sailors who might otherwise shy away from the open water. From blind river there would be some great short sails to bear drop harbor, whalesback channel, oak harbor, the benjamins, clapperton harbor and gore bay are all fairly well sheltered and would provide some beauty and enjoyment. A four to five day circle would not involve more than 150 N miles. Gore bay summer theater is on by mid July, so amid the wilderness there is culture. Two summers ago we saw a brilliant program staged by members of the Stratford Shakespere Festival. What I can offer is planning for shore services charts and waypoints for first timers, reserving blocks of dockage to keep the fleet together.... ok you get the idea. In my other life I take groups of 7th graders on trips and plan singing tours for my choir. I'm not afraid of doing the details.

It would be nice if this could be an official association event. I still don't quite know how to go about that.

Thanks for your interest

Edited by - John V. on 12/30/2003 16:12:41

JimB517
Past Commodore

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3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/30/2003 : 19:26:21

Aug 1 - 16 is exactly the time frame we are planning the group cruise from San Diego's Mission Bay to circumnavigate Catalina Island and perhaps offshore to Santa Barbara Island. You could trailer here from Texas in 2 or 3 days. Consider it. Not as beautiful as the North Channel, but it would be an adventure.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 08:23:28

Jim, Thanks for the head up on the Catalina Island group...

Wow, there are so many sailing destinations... I've thought of how great it would be to pull to the Nationals and then just head on up for some cruising in the San Juans... but that is a major haul... and will have to wait until retirement and hope there are finances.

I stood at Dana Point a couple of years ago and visited San Diego water front and wondered about the run to Catalina. Maybe one of these years. This year, is our 40 yr class reunion in Michigan and I've never made one so will attempt to do so between cruising days.

Southern California is beautiful. One of the most amazing things to me is the quantity of people there and yet the beauty hasn't been destroyed... I was very glad to have read Two Years Before The Mast prior to visiting there as it added a great deal of perspective about the California coastline.

Wishing I could do both, or all three of the great cruising choices this summer.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 08:39:22

John,

I learned just yesterday that our 40th class reunion is the 7th of August. I've never been to one and will attempt this one. And, I have an annual family reunion I think one week later on the 14th. This means that most of my cruising will have to be over with by the 6th of Aug.

Let me give this some thought, I have trailered to Spanish and put in there but usually put in on LP and work my way up and through Mississagi Strait or accross Lake Huron and then come up to NC via east of Manitoulin Island. I usually split my cruising time with wife and brother in law...so will need to check his schedule.

I could survive without an annual fix of Killarney fisn n chips...but it wouldn't be easy...

As far as marinas... I very seldom spend the night in one... preferring far more a peaceful anchorage. The production at Gore Bay sounds like a great diversion... Gore Bay of course has fair anchorage bay.

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 10:13:05

I really think the fish & chips in Killarney are worth the trip.
I'm really just thinking out loud. I have had such a great time with the people I have met by chance that I thought it might be fun to increase the odds by planning some kind of event.

as for anchoring out, that's why I added the wind generator. I enjoy being in a quiet anchorage. After nearly fifty years of sailing the North Channel, I finally saw a black bear while at anchor. (I started at age 2 aboard our 20' swampscott dory "Robidoux") Gracie saw one on John Island about three years ago while picking bluberries. Now this didn't happen in a wild secluded harbor but in portlock harbor where there were dozens of busy cottages, kids swimming and jet skiis shooting about. There along the shore ambled a mature bear. My daughter Liz was on board and spotted the bear first. With all the people and cottages nearby we decided that he knew the good places to shop. (this brought home the increasing problem of bear intrusions in towns along the north shore)

Even If it is only about 3 or 4 boats it would be great to have some destinations/dates set aside when we could meet and sail in fleet.

All the best to you Arlyn, I appreciate your writing in the cruising section. your insight and observation on the waters I have considered my "back yard" have been enjoyable. I hope you, and all who cruise with us electronically, have a happy new year.

Edited by - John V. on 12/31/2003 10:16:30

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 13:37:18

My single bear encounter was in 2001... the narration of that is in that years story. Last year after exploring an island for blue berries and raspberries of which both were plentiful... I hiked around the island and found moose track a few days old perhaps but fresher than the most recent rain.

Have enjoyed watching beaver, otter, blue herron, many dear and of course the loones. Last year I almost stepped on a bedded fawn as I hiked an island just northeast of Meldrum Bay.

Fantastic cruising waters...

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 14:00:35

Just to make you guys homesick for the North Channel:

Indiscipline visits Gore Bay

View from Croaker Island]

The crew of Indiscipline at the fish and chips place

Anchorage in Collins Inlet

Start of the Georgian Bay Small Craft Route

Edited by - on

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2004 : 10:36:15

I just finished doing New Years eve duty at Snow Trails, National Ski Patrol. Kind of a quiet night since most of the bad actors were in the bar. As much as I love winter sports your pics of the North Channel make me want to climb under the tarps and have my kids rock the trailer so I can have a boating moment.

looks like Aug 1-16 may be our target date. Let's keep the talk going.

Happy New Year,

Edited by - on

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