Subject: 1000 islands
Date: 24 Aug 1999
Dear Pat:
As promised, I'm sharing our experience to the 1,000 islands aboard Kilt.
I want to thank you for the useful advice you provided. Came back about a
week ago. Sorry we did not get a chance to get together this time around.
Hopefully, next year.It was quite a learning adventure for us.What a lifestyle!
I could get used to this quite easily. Now, how can we possibly do this permanently
and still earn a living?
We had a couple of problems with the engine, then the battery. Aside from
that and the prices at the pump, we had a terrific time. The water level was
higher than anticipated.I surprised myself at how imaginative I could be cooking/preparing
food on the boat (always looking for new receipes-- if you know of good sources,
I'd love to hear); preparing batches of stuff ahead helps for the rough crossing
when you have to hold on for dear life.
[Lise's reply to my query about the problems: Egon was able to fix some of
the problems himself (again, planning ahead helps: make sure you have spare
parts for problems likely to occur). For one (soldering required), he had
help from someone at Gordon Marine in Gan. Forgot to mention another woe.
The pump in the head failed at some point. We were very grateful to reach
shore -- I believe that was Cobourg. Went to the marine store. They only had
the full replacement kit. Went to Canadian Tire, got the part needed for .35c.]
We went from Toronto, to
- Oshawa (cheapest gas prices anywhere on our trip),
- Cobourg (concert in the park),
- CFB Trenton (cheapest dinner --$2 for burger/dog with all the trimings,
salad, desert and coffee on race night; we were told we could have gone
to the base restaurant for dinner -- also cheap meals; touched bottom on
the way out -- really have to pay attention to these charts);
- Belleville,
- Prynier's Cove,
- Kingston (KYC), (Lise sent this additional comment: At KYC, we docked
on the west wall and the depth was fine there, although we got in very gingerly
(the depth sounder caused some panic). We moored at Prynier's Cove on the
way out and anchored on the way back (lots of mosquitoes).
- Gananoque,
- Mulcaster Island (rafted with other boats from Mimico).
On the way back,
- Gananoque (had wonderful dinner -- one of the best lamb dish I've had--
at Trinity House Inn;
- took the boat cruise to Boldt Castle, of course), then to
- Kingston (next to the Pen -- grateful for our freedom), attempted to go
to Waupoos but the conditions were too rough. Turned back, got into
- Prynier's Cove, then
- Picton,
- Belleville,
- Brighton (hit bottom -- the area has a lot of potential but it will need
a lot of work and $$ to bring it up to par; at the moment, it certainly
is not prepared to welcome boats our size -- we draw 5'6"),then to
- Cobourg,
- Whitby,
- Bluffer's Park (Scarborough) -- met with Mimico cruise @ Cathegral Bluffs,
then, with mixed feelings,
- home to Mimico Cruising Club.
Especially enjoyed the camaraderie of sailors everywhere we went and appreciated
the sage advice and useful information they provided along the way. Our fav
spots: Cobourg, Picton, Prynier's Cove, Mulcaster and the boat tour from Gan.
Next year, we'd like to explore more of the islands (some of the shots you provide
on your web page look just wonderful) and possibly the south shore (hopefully
our Canadian pesos will improve against U.S. currency), now that we know how long
it takes to get there and back. Mind you, we motor-sailed most of the way. We
had the wind right on the nose both ways. But who cares! We were on the boat
and, as far as we're concerned, it beats being in the office and Toronto traffic
any day!
Sorry, I rambled on so much. Just had to share my experience with someone who's
been there and enjoys the area just as much as we did.
[private information deleted]
Thanks again and cheers.
- Lise
