Midland Power and Sail Squadron, Founded in 1952 Summer 2018 Volume 11, Issue 2 c/o 33 Byrnes Crescent, Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1V9 Newsletter Editor: Sandy Campbell Noel Campbell Commander Jim McLarty Commander June 12, 2018 It feels like we are finishing school for the summer, and can look forward to a nice summer holiday. Indeed, this past year has been busy with fall courses, the spring ROC Marine course, the Santa Claus parade, the Midland Home Show, and the AGM. We also had good attendance at the Georgian- Trent District AGM. Mike Hamilton has led us into new territory with our $500 contribution to GBGH Foundation s CT scanner fund. Boaters everywhere should be proud of us and what we are doing. More details can be found on pages 9 and 10 of this newsletter. We did have one spring initiative at Queen s Cove Marina and that was certainly a learning curve. I think our booth format worked well, offering RVCC, and having the VHF simulator on hand, for those wanting to make a few refresher radio calls. There did not seem to be interest in the onehour chart-reading seminar. Everyone was too busy socializing. Having some props on hand and asking attendees a few questions, seemed to work. We still have Bay Port on June 9 th and Wye Heritage on June 16th confirmed. Central Marine and Beacon Bay Marina have shown little interest in our Spring Initiative program. This past year has been one of sadness, with the passing of three of our prominent members: Noel Campbell, Milne Dick and Bob LaVictoire. I am so glad that we have had other members step up to fill these vacancies and were sworn in during our spring AGM. Thank you to all, and I look forward to working with you. The 2018/2019 Power Squadron year should be very interesting as we continue to change to suit the times. Best wishes to all, and thanks for all your hard work. Happy and safe boating. Jim McLarty, Commander Commander s Commentary... 1 Part II - Let s Go Cruising... 3 Education Officer s Report Spring Initiatives.. 4 Squadron Bridge Contact List... 5 Part II - Let s Go Cruising - continued... 7 Part II - Let s Go Cruising - continued... 8 Marina Thoughts by Christine Robinson... 8 Helping Georgian Bay General Hospital... 9 Boaters for Best Care Facebook Page... 10 Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 1 of 10
Bring us this ad to receive a 10% Discount Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 2 of 10
By BluenoserJim A.K.A. Jim McLarty Hello folks, it s Bluenoserjim with you once again with my summer article on let s go cruising. In part 1 of a 4-part series, we looked at the type of vessel required, and some of the logistics of longdistance cruising. In this part 2 (summer) I would like to discuss routes, timing, tides and weather. Let s also chat about navigation and communication. So let us begin with Georgian Bay. Folks, there is no finer cruising waters than right here in our own back yard. The water in Georgian Bay is pristine and the scenery is magnificent. A good time to do your cruising in these waters is from the June 1st to Sept 30th. The waters are warming up for swimming, the bugs will soon be gone, and the weather is stabilizing. The small craft route, as depicted on strip charts, is a wonderful cruise up the east side of Georgian Bay. Pay particular attention to the lateral buoy system. There are so many shoals that one needs to stay on course. Do you remember your two rules? RED right returning, when entering a harbour, and RED right upstream, when heading north and west. We consider the water flowing into G.B. to be entering from Sault Ste. Marie, and thus, you are heading upstream when traveling in that direction. There are wonderful stops along the way, at Parry Sound, Killarney, and Little Current. I particularly like to anchor out, and you will find numerous anchorages all the way up to and including the North Channel. As I said, folks, there is no finer cruising than right here in our own Georgian Bay. OK, have you thought about taking your vessel south for the winter? It s not difficult!!! Following, is the most direct route I have used several times and I enjoy it more each time I make this cruise. Let s go to Florida and the Bahamas. You can now start thinking about Cuba as well, as the political situation is changing and more services for cruisers are being developed. I suggest you leave Georgian Bay on Sept. 20th. This allows you time to enjoy your summer at home, however, you still have lots of time to pass (continues on pages 7 and 8) Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 3 of 10
Education in all aspects of life is something we do without even thinking, rules and regulations are always changing and you need to be fully aware of those changes. Times are changing, and so must we. Gone are the days when you could hop aboard your boat and go for a spin around the lake with no license. In aspects of boating, rules are made to be followed: did you know in order to legally to run a VHF radio on your craft you must have completed a course; or what about seamanship, you need a course, even basic boating, or even knowing the safety items you must have on board. The Midland Power and Sail Squadron offers all courses on boating and pleasure craft operation. A classroom VHF course was just completed this past April. One of our instructors, Gord Bridges, has just finished working with students in an online Seamanship Course. The way of the computer is making things easier for you to do the courses online. This is something brand new, teaching online, but we also offer classroom courses, taught by experienced instructors. In the fall of 2018, courses called Boating 2, Boating 3, Electronic Navigation and VHF courses are being offered. This is a great time for taking the time to learn - especially if you are thinking of becoming a new boater, or if you a boater who wants to learn about the new changes, or to just increasing their knowledge. Click on the image above) to go to boatingcourses.ca for times and locations of courses. Ken Lockhart Education Officer Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 4 of 10
Jim McLarty, Commander Commander Immediate Past Commander Executive Officer Secretary Education Officer Treasurer Public Relations Officer MAREP Officer Membership Newsletter Editor/ Webmaster Administrative Officer Safe Boating Specialist (RVCC) Training Aids Jim McLarty Vacant Vacant Christine Robinson Ken Lockhart Mike Hamilton Vacant Vacant Murray Lockhart Sandy Campbell Wendy McLarty Ken Robinson Vacant (705) 549-1334 mclartys@rogers.com (705) 322-7003 (705) 527-7768 (705) 528-1397 c.m.robinson@sympatico.ca lockey527@gmail.com mrmwhamilton@sympatico.ca (705) 527-1340 (705) 549-5383 (705) 549-1334 (705) 322-7003 lockhartmurray@gmail.com sandy.campbell@live.com mclartys@rogers.com kcrobi@sympatico.ca Secretary Treasurer Christine Education Officer Mike Ken Robinson Hamilton Lockhart Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Webmaster / Newsletter Editor Sandy Campbell Safe Boating Specialist (RVCC) Ken Robinson Page 5 of 10
Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 6 of 10
through the Trent/Severn Canal before it closes at Thanksgiving. Having reached Trenton, Ont. make your way along the Bay of Quinty. It s a 6-hour cruise (7.5 Kts), and I use Prinyers Bay as an anchorage. Do you remember my cruising rule? No more than 15 kts of wind, and seas up to 1.5 meters. At 10 kts of wind, there are no white caps. At 12 kts. of wind there are periodic white caps. At 15 kts of wind, you will have steady white caps. It is a 4-hour crossing as you leave Prinyers Bay to arrive at Oswego, New York State. I set a waypoint on my chart plotter, just at the entrance into Oswego Harbour, beside the big light house and I go direct. Oswego Harbour Marina is the perfect place to clear U.S. Customs. There they have a video telephone and a place to scan your passport. You simply give the customs officer a call, with all your information, and a cruising permit will be sent to you over a fax machine. This CRUISING PERMIT is for one year and is of vital importance. Do not leave without it. You will be expected to call customs at every major port and give your location, along with your cruising permit number. OK, that was easy. You now have 8 locks along the Oswego Canal, and 24 locks along the Erie Canal, before you reach the Hudson River at Watertown, N.Y. All locks are quite modern, and staffed by very friendly people. The cruise down the Hudson River is spectacular as you pass through the Catskill Mountains. Count on 3 weeks, from when you leave Georgian Bay until you arrive in the BIG APPLE (New York City). Remember that you are traveling south and the weather is continually warming as your latitude counts down. Don t forget to add the insurance rider, covering you when south of the 40th parallel of latitude. I usually stay in the Liberty Landing Marina, which is next to the Statue of Liberty. It is not expensive, and there is a ferry service next door, which takes you over to Manhattan. You now have a 4-hour cruise down the Atlantic coast line, around Sandy Hook, to an inlet at Manasquan, New Jersey. It is here that you join the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway.) Pay particular attention to the tides and try to travel the 4 days on the New Jersey ICW during rising or high tides. Hurricane Sandy caused extensive shoaling along this part of the ICW. It is a good idea to have a tow plan with either Tow Boat U.S. or Sea Tow. Not only are they there for security, but you can call them at any time on Ch. 16, and ask for information on shoaling. After 4 days, you will have arrived in Cape May. The preferred route is to go up the Delaware Bay, through the Chesapeake/Delaware Canal and down the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk, Virginia. This route will keep you off the BIG Atlantic water, and there are so many interesting places to stop and visit. There are also lots of anchorages along the way. From Norfolk, Virginia, you simply follow the ICW all the way to Florida. There are great stops along the way such as, South Port, Georgetown, Charleston and Savannah. Once in Florida, you have Fernandina Beach, Vero Beach, Stuart and St. Augustine. So many places to stop and spend time. Buy the Cruising Guides for the Atlantic ICW and Florida and they will list all the marinas and anchorages. Also, I found a wealth of information in the Skipper Bob s publications. You should be in Florida in 8 weeks from departing Georgian Bay. The weather will have improved all the way down, and you are now quite used to handling your vessel in tidal currents. Remember that all the current tidal information is sitting right in your chart plotter, and easy to use. There are usually fishing derbies going on and crab fishermen putting out their pots to make a living. Give these people a wide berth. You could have a bad day if you catch a crab pot float and tangle it around your prop. For navigation, I carry two electronic devices. First, I have a simple chart plotter, with the chip covering the Atlantic Coast, Florida and the Bahamas. Secondly, I have an ipad with the program, I- Nav-X. Great graphics, cheap, and easy to use. Remember that when you are in U.S. waters, the VHF on your vessel must be registered as a radio Station. Apply to Service Canada, and get your Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 7 of 10
MMSI number, as well as, your radio station license. OK, folks, that s it for now. Stay tuned for the next issue, where we will discuss, destinations in Florida, Bahamas, and crossing the Gulf Stream. Until then, safe boating to all. Bluenoserjim even when we re at home. The vast majority of the boaters that spend their weekends on their boats in their own slip have travelled to get there. Our neighbours come from Hamilton, Bobcaygeon, Toronto and other reaches of Ontario. For them, this is the cottage that they escape to on weekends and for their vacations. The marina that we are in has a pool, showers, tennis court and a very good restaurant all making for a wonderful destination. When Ken and I are able to enjoy being on the water, we are often wanting also to be in and under the water. We usually boat to a location where we can swim and scuba dive, and those are things that we cannot do amongst other vessels in the confines of the marina. If nothing else, the risk of stray current being in the water from all of the boats being plugged into shore power is enough to keep me on the dock! Last summer we ventured further afield to Tobermory, then By Christine Robinson I was out for dinner with my husband last weekend, and we decided to drop in at the marina afterward to see if any of our boat neighbours were there. One couple that we have become friends with were there for the weekend, and had just finished dinner with three other couples who also have boats nearby. We were chatting away, and one of the ladies asked why don t you just stay on your boat at the dock sometimes?... A totally innocent question, but it s not something that Ken or I would likely think of doing. It made me think about the different aspects of social life at the marina, or any marina for that matter. Now I don t want anyone thinking that we are snobs, and therefore do not want to stay in our own slip. It s just that we live only 15 minutes from our marina, and we are fortunate enough to live one of the most beautiful parts of the country, so it s like we are vacationing Scuba Too north to Killarney. We followed the northern Georgian Bay shoreline back to Parry Sound and then home to Midland. It was a wonderful vacation, and we experienced things that we could not have enjoyed if we were staying on our boat at the dock. Perhaps when we are done exploring the beautiful corners of Georgian Bay we will spend a night at the marina just to experience the camaraderie that some of our neighbours enjoy? After all, most of them are very nice people and it might be fun, right? Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 8 of 10
Navigate to this Boaters for Best Care FACEBOOK PAGE by clicking on the image above. Ed. Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 9 of 10
Join Boaters for Best Care by giving a gift to your hospital away from home. Your Georgian Bay General Hospital is in need of a new CT Scanner, which is a critical diagnostic tool used by the Emergency Department to identify and diagnose injuries that require immediate treatment. It is the primary tool used to diagnose patients with chest pain, head trauma, injuries to hands and feet, and uncontrolled bleeding. Your gift will ensure that this life-saving equipment is available should you, or someone you love, need it. Midland Squadron website: http://midlandpowerandsail.ca Page 10 of 10