I was up early this morning and left Collins Bay shortly after dawn. Got into Gananoque mid morning, cleaned the decks and got takeout lunch, and am now anchored here for the night. Lovely spot. It really is beautiful around here.
I’m anchored in Collins Bay just west of Kingston. Left Toronto Monday about 5:00 PM and got in here at noon Tuesday. Lovely trip, about 140 nm.
A front has just passed through, and I’ll head east tomorrow. Meeting family in Ganaoque Friday.
All systems are working well. Still have some work to do to get ready for big water, but can putter away at that on the Rideau. I still haven’t commissioned the generator – I need some fuel fittings – but am quite comfortable without it. This weekend will be a test to see how cooking on 12v goes.
I’m struck by how comfortable the boat is. I did a similar trip on Mazurka a few years ago and stayed on the flybridge most of the way. It’s much more civilized in the pilot house.
My journalist friend Rob was out for a harbour cruise with me this weekend and he asked me why I chose this boat. I started to answer, but realized it was long and complicated. Later Sarah remarked on how nimble and maneuverable the boat is. So, back story…
My first job was as a tender operator at Bedford Basin Yacht Club. I started when I was 12 years old and worked at it through my teens. Most likely the youngest and possibly the oldest on record. Best summer job ever. If you need further explanation, think water taxi, taking passengers back and forth from their moored boats.
I was driving outboard powered boats. A bit later in life as I roamed the world a bit, I found a few clubs and harbours used the Crosby Launch and I fell in love with those boats. Tough, stable, maneuverable.
A bit later, the first big power boat I ever dreamed of owning was a Willard 30. This was about 1991 when I came across one in the great lakes.
I really had the Willard as a benchmark boat when I bought Mazurka.
Escapade started out life as a super sized Crosby Launch. That’s what attracted me. it was built to navy specs as a tender. So I was confident that the design and build were to my liking, and confident that I would enjoy maneuvering in close quarters, which is important to me.
Beyond that, Escapade met the criteria outlined in an earlier post.
This also might help to explain the opening photo in this post.
I should say that I’m exceedingly happy with my choice.
Had a couple of great days noodling around Toronto with friends and family. Some of their pics below.
I’m underway. Left Marina Quay West this afternoon after the rain stopped and am now anchored in Outer Harbour.
I think I mentioned earlier that I was getting an AIS transponder. For now it’s always on when underway, so I’m very easy to track. My MMSI is 316038777.
I’m in the area for a few days for provisioning and family visits, then off to Kingston next week. Rideau Canal opens the 28th, and I have family visiting aboard next weekend in the Thousand Islands. Weather looks pretty benign for the trip down the lake. Will have to go outside Prince Edward County as I think the Murray Canal doesn’t open until the 28th.
These four pictures were taken from tonight’s stop in the Toronto Islands. Beautiful here.
Here in Toronto and Ontario we are just getting over the worst wave yet in the pandemic. A month ago we went into a stay-at-home order. Today it was announced that recreational boating will be permitted starting Saturday.
So I’ll be on my way. Planning to noodle down to Kingston, meet family there for a couple.of days in the Thousand Islands, then head up the Rideau for Ottawa.
Nova Scotia is closed to visitors right now, but I expect that things are going to get better. I hope I can have a path to getting there in July. We’ll see.
Boat is pretty much ready. I was dawdling on finishing up a few things but the recent beautiful weather got me energized.
Davits are on, and the boat hung. Easy to get on the platform when the dinghy is there. I like it.
Still at Marina Quay West. I’m now in the middle of a movie set.
They’ve been setting up since Thursday, and it all goes down tonight, apparently with a boat getaway. I’ve got a good seat for the action! Jason Mamoa is the star. Susan says I’ll recognize him if I see him.
Boating Adventures 