St. Lawrence Locks

Hi Everyone,

I typed this about three days ago and lost it when the internet went down, so lesson learned.  I will save it after every paragraph.


We started seeing large ocean going ships on a regular basis.  The first one had to come around a bend and we felt like we would run out of room in the chaneel well at least I (Linda) thought we would but needless to say there was more than enough room. Another first.

We arrived at the Eisenhower lock and it was a little different, first they want you to  go this little dock space to check in which gave you very little room to manouver around with the threat of one foot of waer on the other side of the buoys and the current pushing against you.  Well we check in and proceed to the lock. They had a different system which I liked better, you hand them a line they put it around a ballard that goes the height of the lock and then you secure your line on the boat. The water receeds and you gently go down with your boat in place.  We went down 45 feet. A very large coast guard vessel accompany us through these locks as you will see. The same procedure with the next lock, the Snell lock which dropped another 45 feet.

45 foot drop

He was behind us in the lock

Then we are back in Canadian waters and we go to the next two locks the upper and lower Beauharnois locks before we could get to the locks we had to go under two lift bridges.  Well we waited a while for the first one and as we approached the bridge it was almost at the top more than enough for us and the girl either yelled at us or wished us a safe trip.  I am taking the latter as she spoke in french and we are still not sure. The next lock was same procedure they drop you a line that you put around a cleat and you loosen it off as the water is drained out.  Takes a little more watching the boat doesn't inch forward.  This last lock was done after sundown.     



So we didn't get all slimmy for the locks and they look like they were using new lines. So we went through 5 locks and at the end it was dark coming out into Lac St. Louise which is the start of our Montreal trek. There were so many lights it was hard to pick up the buoy lights and there were several channels so we found an area about 300 yards off the shipping channel that was about 20 feet deep and dropped the anchor and tried to get some sleep.  We got an early start the next morning, Friday, and went to the Royal St. Laurent Yacht Club.  We wanted to spend a day in Montreal, but unfortunately Chris's time was running out and was not able to go to Quebec City with us, so we stayed at the RStLYC.  It was a little difficult to get to the yacht club but well worth  the stay and we did get a reciprical for one night and paid for the second. They had nice slips, swimming pool, tennis courts and a great bar and everyone spoke english with internet.  One of the members, Michel, drove the three of us to a boat store, then to the bus terminal and took our stuff back to the boat so we could go into Old Montreal where we took in the sites with our tour guide Chris, had lunch and washed it down with a couple of beverages.  On Saturday we did some boat chores and chilled out because Chris was fling back to Toronto at 1600.  We'll miss having Chris on board and we hope that he'll be able to join us for other parts of it.
 

Jack having free coffee in the morning at the yacht club.





On Sunday morning we left RStLYC and headed for the last two locks on the Seaway.  At the first one we were delayed for two hours waiting for commercial shipping to go through.  We were in the locks with two American flagged boats that we doing the same trip as us.  After locking through, it was getting late and windy, so we stayed at a marina in Longueuil, where we got to know Don and Lois from Que Sera Sera, and Dave and Lisa from Ke 'Ola Kai.

Signing off for now Jack and Linda

Hi everyone,
,

Well it has been a few days since we left port Credit and wireless internet is not so easy to use, most sites are passwod protected and then even if you can get a password it is still hard to get on even with our antenna system that Mark helped us with but here we are in Montreal On June 24, 2012.

Before I forget Happy Anniversary to Chris and Kim.  Chris left us yesterday, it was great to have him aboard and we will miss him.

Well now onto sailing adventures. I (Linda) had a moment thinking what am I doing, but it quickly passed.

It is a beautiful morning sipping tea and caughting up so here we go.

Last time we were just getting started, we left Whitby and went to Colburg a long sail yes, but we wanted to stop at Kingston so this was a good place to spend the night.  For once we asked for a recipicol and they gave us a dock with power, thought we scored big but no they dingged us for the charges and also wanted to charge for the internet. Nice little town but having to take a recipical with no power or water leaves a little bit to be desired from this club.  Beer was still cold though.

Next day we went to Belleville and guess who was greeting us at the dock, Howard. It was great seeing you and he was bunked out on the salon settee with the fridge humming in his ear, this wasn't the making for a good nights sleep, but after having a good meal and a few vodkas noise while sleeping was not an issue for anyone.

Well the next morning we were getting ready to leave and the wind is blowing across our beam making it difficult to get off the dock.  Great wind and we are stuck.  Well after a few attempted tries to back up with little room to move, we were able to finally get off the dock, get in to an empty slip and on our way.  The wind was great and we rolled out the genoa and motor sailed across the big Bay of Quinte and up the channel to Telegraph Narrows. 

We took the inside approach to Kingston, nothing eventful happening except a distress call right in the area where we were. Now what do you do?  Responding could delay you again but how can you go on if someone is in trouble.  Jack responded but another boat was closer so we continued on.  Our batteries started to act up a bit so we would check into Kingston and have this resolved.

At Kingston we we called Steve and Shirley to get someone to give us a hand with the battery problem. Well the guy who was going to check the alternator didn't show up, so we wasted another day.  We did get a call the next day from the alternator guy and he said they could come  around 1100 but everything seem to be operating fine so we declined as we did not want to wait another day but he did say he could help us out farther along if we needed it.  So far everything has been fine with the batteries.

After Kingston we anchored at Lindsay Island, one of our favourite spots in the Thousand Islands. The next day we motored down to the American Channel, the water was like a sheet of glass.  This way was well marked and easy fallow.  The current gave us a boost of a knot or two.  We past by some amazing cottages and two castles.

We went into our first lock at Iroquois, what a let down.  We dropped a foot.  The next four were quite a bit more, dropping forty plus feet each.  Well time is running on and we have to leave.  I will sign off and hopefully when I can get back on line, I will have pictures for you and our adventures with the locks and huge ships but with the pictures it will be much more interesting.

Jack and Linda
Xanadu IV

Dropping the \lines

Yes as of June 13 at 12:30 we officially have started our open ended cruising adventure.

We had a few setbacks that delayed our departure by 10 days. It could have been longer if it were not for friends giving us a helping hand and Jack sweet talking some contracts to get parts for us on the same day.

We would like to thank all the people who visited us even when we were not there that wished us well and safe cruising. We also would like to say hi to all our family who threw us a great party and to everyone who attended. Lots of promises to get together and we will hold you to it. As usual I did not get everyones e-mail address so please drop us a line on the g-mail account over the next month.

svxanaduiv@gmail.com

Jack and I are being accompanied by our son in law  Chris  to Quebec City. Sorry guys but the bar will be pretty quite over the next 2 weeks but I am sure when Chris gets back there will be lots of stories to tell.

Day 1:  As we had a late start we sailed to Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club. This short sail ensured that all systems are working and confident to start on our cruise down the St. Lawrence.

Day 2: As  to be expected the winds are coming from the east but they were steady and made for a great sail southeast.  A little cool, jackets were brought out but the sun was out all day. After a long trek south we tack to Whitby Yacht Club. We have always felt welcome here and once again they provided us a slip for the night. Going out to dinner with in-laws.

Thought I get a head start on the meals put the slow cooker on and there is a stew brewing,  Thanks Cathrine as I thought about taking it off the boat and I am already using it.

Well enough for now, tomorrow we will be off to Colburg.