Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Cruising plans, discussions, etc.
Post Reply
Pearce
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am

Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Pearce »

I am wondering how this season is going for others. Obviously if we are healthy and have a boat to get away from it all then we are very lucky.

But I am curious how things are going this summer on the cruising front ? Are places open wherever you sail ? Are you doing more daysailing? Do you have any strategies or ideas you want to share ?

Stay healthy
Last edited by Pearce on Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pat
Schoodic - F36
Beverly MA

User avatar
jamesorr
Posts: 53
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:55 pm
Location: Rochester, NY
Contact:

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by jamesorr »

Speaking for myself, same amount of cruising (perhaps a bit more), although different destinations. On the southern shore of Lake Ontario, so the Canadian locations are unavailable this year (we normally spend equal times in U.S. and Canadian ports of call). Therefore, we've been looking for additional options on the U.S. side.Have been to some new places (for us at least), but at least the marina's where we have stayed have been mostly open and running as usual (with one exception) -- although dining options ashore have been more limited. I guess our view has been, if you've been given lemons...
James Orr
Orr What
1988 Freedom 32 (Mull)
Sodus Bay, NY

Pearce
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Pearce »

Sounds like you are making the most of it given the circumstances. The Great Lakes look beautiful. Only been on Lake Ontario twice and both were fun.

Raced in J27 Nationals in Oakville and went to Jazz Festival. Great regatta and hospitality.

The other was a delivery from Oswego through Seaway Welland to Erie Pa many years ago. That was a crazy late season adventure.
Pat
Schoodic - F36
Beverly MA

Tmack
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 5:07 pm

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Tmack »

Pat - I'm still hoping to get some cruising in (I'm a little north of you). Work is the only thing in the way.
Curious, do you get up to Rockport? I've never stopped there and could use some local knowledge. Any anchorage potential?
Thanks. Tom

Pearce
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Pearce »

Tom,

Definitely option to anchor in Rockport in moderate weather as long as it is not out of NE. The thing is to be sure to avoid the unfinished breakwater on approach. Gloucester and Salem are good local options too.

Check out Boston Sailing Center cruising guide -
https://www.bostonsailingcenter.com/bsc ... ction.html
Pat
Schoodic - F36
Beverly MA

sforgey2
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 7:02 am
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Contact:

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by sforgey2 »

Just back from 3 weeks sailing...my boat aptly named "Girlfriend."

Florida Keys were pretty open, parks open as well.

Most marinas were open. Many people just doing the MAGA anti-mask wearing agenda, Florida is a place to be careful in. UGH. We were careful and ate on the boat most everywhere.

We wanted to head across to Bimini but the Bahamas were closed to US boats "until further notice", which was upsetting. I guess we will wait out hurricane season in our home port (Ft Lauderdale), had hurricane yesterday but only a Cat 1, and we dont even take down the Bimini for that.

So business as usual in South Florida, but wow you have to really be careful.
Scott Forgey
Girlfriend
Freedom 32 Hoyt #81

Pearce
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Pearce »

Scott,

Great that you are still able to get out and go a few places. 3 weeks sounds terrific. Definitely smart to be careful wherever one goes. Cannot imagine how hot it must get cruising in Florida during the summer. Would be cool to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas.
Pat
Schoodic - F36
Beverly MA

sforgey2
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 7:02 am
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Contact:

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by sforgey2 »

REPLY

My wife teaches, so summers are free but YIKES! Hot, and we dont have air conditioning.

Summer is off season so not crowded, great fishing. Same with Bimini...but now that they have casino (read: ruined) not sure how it is. They are welcoming but it is closed for now and foreseeable future.

Bahamas is cooler. Crossing the stream in summer is great if you love watch thunderstorms in the distance, pick your weather.

We saw two water spouts and always have to dodge the showers, occasional squall lines...but it isnt that bad if you are careful. We do the trip at night across the stream, heading to Bimini at about 3AM, arriving about noon or so. First time was a bit nerve wracking, but you get used to it. Must approach shore before 4 PM or forget going in.

So Florida is stubbornly open.
Scott Forgey
Girlfriend
Freedom 32 Hoyt #81

Pearce
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by Pearce »

Crossed the Gulf stream a few times going over to Bermuda. Different every time, but always a good time. Sometimes it was super flat and others were pretty rough. The lightning and squalls along the north wall were always fun. Amazing change to get in “Happy Valley” with the bright blue warm water in the 80s.

That north - south stretch of Gulf Stream off Florida seems like it is always doing 4-5 knots. Must have to play that quite a bit to hit waypoints.

Got to give Ben Franklin credit for figuring it out and writing about it.
Pat
Schoodic - F36
Beverly MA

sforgey2
Posts: 67
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 7:02 am
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Contact:

Re: Cruising in Summer 2020 ?

Post by sforgey2 »

Yes...4-5 knots in stream on way from Miami to Bimini.

We do the Z pattern...down to Biscayne Bay, South to Fowey Rock, then steer straight and the current takes you north.

A bit odd the first time, but head into the stream dead on the the GPS stops dead in its tracks...have had to anchor out due to being too far north to enter at dusk. Not fun and people underestimate the speed of the Gulfstream. Big river!
Scott Forgey
Girlfriend
Freedom 32 Hoyt #81

Post Reply