You’ve read about exploring the shallow Frisian Islands in Riddle of the Sands, and you’ve vicariously skimmed across the Lake District (Coniston Water and Windermere) in Swallows and Amazons. You might have seen the romantic sailing spots featured in the movie
I have done part of them. The Chesapeake and it's tributaries are a fascinating body of water you could spend a lifetime exploring and still not see all of it.
Be forwarned that many of the beaches are private; though 30 years ago owners were friendly to kayakers (we were a novelty then), they ultimately came to realize how many of us there were, and they began to post their beaches. I suggest you contact the Washington Water Trails Assoc, and get their book, as they have tried to list every public beach, and the few privately owned ones that allow public access.
Sucia Is. is a state park, and is quite large, with numerous camping (and anchoring) beaches and coves. Also has good hiking trails. Has interesting sandstone formations.
Though I cruised the Bahama islands in beachable boats for years, and though our book Beachcruising and Coastal Camping draws on our magazine articles for stories, I hope they inspire dreams of cruising there.
With crystal clear waters, beaches to land and camp on, and wonderful out island Bahamians, it’s a cruising ground combo hard to beat.
Lately I've been vicariously working my way around England with Maurice Griffiths as my guide. I'd love to spend a summer there, coast of Maine would do too...
Sea of Cortez. Only because I read the book recently for the first time and enjoyed the book so much. It has been said it was the start of the environmental movement
I cruised part of the sea of cortez when I was a kid, with my father and older brother on a westsail 32' back in 1988. It was a haven of sea life and adventure. The best snorkeling and fishing of my life. I would love to do it in a small boat. Even though the words of my father regarding the sea, still linger my head, " you motor from one windy anchorage to another"
I've been twice to the Sea of Cortez with a Potter 19. . .both times from Loreto to La Paz through all the islands on that route. The scenery is beyond stunning, though not noticeably "welcoming", steep and rough red hills covered in general with thorns of one sort or another. There are any number of good anchorages and on both trips I generally had good sailing winds, hardly used the motor at all. The local people seemed to be really good, kind and generous (and amused by my boat I think). Other, "real cruisers" were likewise friendly and helpful. . .think cold beer and fresh food and often splendid visiting on their boats.
There's lots to go wrong, and not often anyone else around, so you'll want to be at least modestly competent and always alert. And then there's the sea life. Oh my. Flying (and belly flopping) giant rays and lines of dancing dolphins, surely hundreds of them at once, advancing across the sea in glorious chaos, with a roar like a waterfall from their splashing. . .only once, but you can always hope. . .
Google the "Masurian Lakes" in Poland. Wow. 2000 interconnected lakes. This spot is a sleeper for sure.
How about the Inter-Costal with “Me, the Boy & the Cat? Might be different this time around…ATB, Bill
I have done part of them. The Chesapeake and it's tributaries are a fascinating body of water you could spend a lifetime exploring and still not see all of it.
I’m really Jonesing to sail the San Juan’s with ATUS next year, that would be a nice coup to bag.
Be forwarned that many of the beaches are private; though 30 years ago owners were friendly to kayakers (we were a novelty then), they ultimately came to realize how many of us there were, and they began to post their beaches. I suggest you contact the Washington Water Trails Assoc, and get their book, as they have tried to list every public beach, and the few privately owned ones that allow public access.
Sucia Is. is a state park, and is quite large, with numerous camping (and anchoring) beaches and coves. Also has good hiking trails. Has interesting sandstone formations.
Though I cruised the Bahama islands in beachable boats for years, and though our book Beachcruising and Coastal Camping draws on our magazine articles for stories, I hope they inspire dreams of cruising there.
With crystal clear waters, beaches to land and camp on, and wonderful out island Bahamians, it’s a cruising ground combo hard to beat.
Norfolk Broads. Or ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Henry David Thoreau cruised the Connecticut River. That would be a trip worth following.
I do want to get to the SOC someday soon but the San Juan’s Islands with the ATUS offspring of the Potter Yachters would be very high on my list.
masurian lakes as I've sailed in all the others
Lately I've been vicariously working my way around England with Maurice Griffiths as my guide. I'd love to spend a summer there, coast of Maine would do too...
Sea of Cortez. Only because I read the book recently for the first time and enjoyed the book so much. It has been said it was the start of the environmental movement
Lake Titicaca - The Incredible Voyage - Tristan Jones
also,
Harlan Hubbard – Shantyboat: A River Way of Life - Ohio and Mississippi Rivers - but I suspect it's not as endearing anymore.
The River Tethys from Hyperion. Fictional but extremely cool
I cruised part of the sea of cortez when I was a kid, with my father and older brother on a westsail 32' back in 1988. It was a haven of sea life and adventure. The best snorkeling and fishing of my life. I would love to do it in a small boat. Even though the words of my father regarding the sea, still linger my head, " you motor from one windy anchorage to another"
I've been twice to the Sea of Cortez with a Potter 19. . .both times from Loreto to La Paz through all the islands on that route. The scenery is beyond stunning, though not noticeably "welcoming", steep and rough red hills covered in general with thorns of one sort or another. There are any number of good anchorages and on both trips I generally had good sailing winds, hardly used the motor at all. The local people seemed to be really good, kind and generous (and amused by my boat I think). Other, "real cruisers" were likewise friendly and helpful. . .think cold beer and fresh food and often splendid visiting on their boats.
There's lots to go wrong, and not often anyone else around, so you'll want to be at least modestly competent and always alert. And then there's the sea life. Oh my. Flying (and belly flopping) giant rays and lines of dancing dolphins, surely hundreds of them at once, advancing across the sea in glorious chaos, with a roar like a waterfall from their splashing. . .only once, but you can always hope. . .
Masurian Lakes in Poland is a hidden gem.
Sea of Cortez seems mythical, as does the polar opposite, Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades.