Sailing The Great Lakes - Port Stanley to Toronto Harbour

ODYSEA ADVENTURES - Sailing from Port Stanley to Owen Sound

Sailing Odysea, a 29' hughes Sloop in 24 hours from Port Stanley Ontario to Port Colborne.

The first leg of the journey was gruelling. Coming out of Port Stanley, after trying to get some sleep

anchored for the past week, the spinnaker lines burned through my hands while raising. I never expected the wind to shift and my helms-woman to steer left when asked to steer right. I opted for the Genaker for the rest of the voyage. The going was slow ( 2-4 knots ) until sunset around the horn of Long Point. The wind was blowing 25

plus knots North, with 7' wave peeks slapping the port of the vessel. The lady eventually went to sleep in the V-berth after reassuring her that we were safe and in good hands. Not once in the pitch of darkness and fleets of freighters, did I feel concerned. When the clouds cleared around 3am, the vessels mast veered back and forth amongst the billion points of celestial brilliance. At one point I felt euphoric mixed with bliss at the thought of sailing through the vast Universe.

The eastern sunrise sail towards Port Colborne was a golden colour to remember for an eternity. After 96 Nautical Miles in 24 hours, I felt a true sense of relief to dock Odysea at the Port Colborne Marina and sleep for a few hours.

The next leg of the journey was from Port Colborne to

Port Dalhousie, St.Catherines via the Welland Canal. The trip consisted the passage of 8 locks through-out the Welland Canal. Going down the shoot is much easier than going up for a pleasure craft. The operators which pass you lines describe it as removing water from the tub, which is slower and less violent in comparison to the turbulence created by filling the locks. The last lock operator suggested tying up to the "check in wall" considering it was 2am and it started at 10am the previous day.

The sail to Port Dalhousie from the Welland Canal was a pleasing slow 2 knot training session for my crew.

I zipped around on the

8 ' inflatable ( Zodiac) , washed cushions with bio-degradable soap, and kept cool with swims, or a simple dump of water with the bucket.

We anchored as close as we could in 5 foot water across from the beach. Had a deep fried fish dinner with rice accompanied by a bottle of red wine ( Castillero Del Diablo ).

Spent 3 nights at the Port Dalhousie Yacht club, met some good people, unfortunately their cook had issues with guests using the complimentary BBQ's. Four T-bone steaks went RAW waiting for the approval to use the BBQ. I ended up tying up along the Pier wall with the Port Dalhousie Marina. The atmosphere was so relaxed, and the best seats to view fireworks during Canada Day, that we stayed 2 weeks.

   

                                          PORT DALHOUSIE LIGHTHOUSE AT NIGHT

The sail from Port Dalhousie to Toronto Island was a short 28 Nautical Miles with light 5 to 10 knot winds from the west. I fished along the way and landed my-self a salmon which I enjoyed very much lightly cooked. The day was full of sunshine and the crew was in good spirit. The approach to Toronto was engrossing. Towers of glass and stone pinnacle the sky. The CN Tower used to be the tallest free standing structure ever built. It can be seen across the lake in Port Dalhousie on a clear day, and makes for a wonderful aid to navigation.

Once in Toronto, I found two areas to

anchor. One being the most southern point of the Toronto Islands and the other in a tiny inlet which leads to a wildlife sanctuary, called Doughnut Islands by the local islanders that work at the Toronto Islands Marina.

This little piece of sanctuary is a piece of paradise in surrounded by the steal and concrete of the city of Toronto. Regularly the kayakers would paddle through the area and rest on Doughnut Islands small but sufficient beach front, accompanied by a rope on a tree that led the brave into the surprisingly clear water.

 The next leg of the journey will be towards Trenton Canal.

ODYSEA ADVENTURES IS CURRENTLY SETTING SAIL FROM TORONTO HARBOUR TOWARDS FRENCHMANS BAY TO COBOURG TO BRIGHTON TO TRENTON TO PORT SEVERN TO MIDLAND TO CHRISTIAN ISLAND TO OWEN SOUND.

If anyone interested in crewing or learning seamanship skills, navigation, or just out to enjoy the sun, contact me.

I will be offering chartering day, evening and weekend sails out of Owen Sound as of

September 1, 2011.

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