Since I'm always breaking rules, I'll suggest cruisingGeorgian Bay Josh! Not in the States but we are a "Friendly" nation up hear in Canada! You and McCoy could borrow my CROW! I have good knowledge of the area and would be happy to share the many beautiful spots to drop a hook or pull nose to shore, as I most often do! It would be great to meet face to face as well! All the best Roy
I mentioned it again in a reply Josh, in case you missed my comment! You would be very welcome to CROW and what charts and any knowledge of our Bay! BestRoy
Trailer to Broughtons (via road to Port MacNeill ) or Barkley Sound. Never trailersailed either one, but cruised there on slightly larger boats, and they would be great for a smaller well-found craft. Or the Octopus Islands area, launching and recovering at Campbell River.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Plenty of anchorages and protected sailing. A stop in Bristol at the Herreshoff Marine Museum is a must! And there’s Newport!
You could do the Salish 100 in Washington Sailing the length of the Puget Sound over 5 days. July 20 to 27. https://nwmaritime.org/salish100/ not sure about a boat but you have a few months to work it out. would be happy to help out.
Short trip: New Orleans to Bay St. Louis via Lake Ponchartrain, the Rigolets and Lake Bourne is a unique two or three day trip. Once you are in Bay S. Louis, make a day sail out into the Gulf of Mexico to Ship Island to see Ft. Massachusetts, a civil war era fort that once was a prison for Gironimo. Spend the night on the beach if you want to, or go over to Cat Island and camp on the island on the south east side beach (usually windward), but watch out for the horse flies.
Spring or Fall are best times. April is amazing, but you will still want to bring some mosquito netting.
Longer trip: A row/sail voyage through the Atchafalaya Basin starting at Bayou Plaquemine, down through Pierre Part, a city left in the past. Pass through Lake Veret and stop at Attakapas landing for turtle sauce picant and a beer. Continue through the Four Mile Bayou through Grassy Lake into Lake Palourde. Make a side visit to pass by the fabrication and ship yards in Amelia - stop and get some more good food. Along the way catch some fish or drop down a crawfish net and eat them for dinner. There are plenty of opportunities for side trips and exploration. You might even find the hidden abandoned steam locomotive in the swamp.
After Lake Palourde you will no longer be in little bayous and lakes. There are a few choices - mostly big rivers. You can sail across to Morgan City and portage into the Atchafala Basin or you can take the Intracoastal Waterway to Houma or even New Orleans. If you want to go even further, pop into Lake Ponchartrain and finish up in Bay Saint Louis.
If you go, get local advice first (I can hook you up). Some of the smaller bayous can sometimes be impassable due to water hyacinths. The lakes are very shallow and can get choppy in a storm. Watch out for trot lines that will snag up on your rudder or centerboard. Make sure you can raise and lower the mast easily because there are many low bridges. You can get up close to the eagles, but don't pet the alligators.
You say you've largely sailed the West Coast. Now in California, or at least Northern California, with its rugged and unfriendly coastline, the small boat cruising ground with countless anchorages, and swimming holes, and obscure sleepy little places to dock and dine, that comes to mind isn't on the coast per-se, but rather is the Sacramento River Delta - simply "The Delta."
Actually, what I'm hoping is that you've previously visited there, and can point me to an archive article of the visit!
The most comprehensive guide to visiting there is an out-of-print book published nearly 30 years ago in 1995 -- "Hal Schell's guide to cruising California's delta: The delta dawdler's dream tour of this fabulous 1,000-mile waterway."
EDIT: By searching the substack, I did find this which mentions the delta, and a number of other likely spots. Obviously, you're fishing for more. ;-)
By far one of the absolute prettiest destinations is Moosehead Lake Maine.
A small boater delete! Steeped in rich history and full of multiple bays and islands, Moosehead offers everything anyone could want. A beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills and at points, steep rock faces, it has a very remote feeling as soon as you head north from its only little settlement, Grenville, at the lower end. A sweet little hamlet, it has multiple restaurants, stores and a good ice cream shop all wishing a short walk of the town docks. Much to see and do and sailing from long open water stretches to more protected bays, Moosehead is truly hard to beat! Even Henry David Thoreau made the trek there twice!
I've actually got this on the schedule this summer to do with my son, who's just getting old enough to come along on a camp cruise. Looking forward to it!
Chesapeake area has hundreds of places to safely cruise - but - July is hazy hot and humid much of the time with evening storms also at times. The great Northeast; Rhode Island's Naragansett Bay and Maine's Penobscot Bay can be delightful, also keeping the temps down a bit!
Best wishes narrowing it down. Just to have the option is, the, good life - good luck
The Chesapeake Bay has long earned its reputation as a great small boat cruising ground. Set off in a shoal-draft boat, and you'll have endless miles of bays, creeks and rivers pretty much to yourself. I'm sure a boat could be located for you. I could probably join you in Terrapin. I wouldn't advise mid-summer -- little wind and lots of heat. But spring and fall are fantastic.
I highly recommend boating adventure in either the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore or the remote Isle Royale NP in Western Lake Superior. I'm a longtime trailer sailor from the Minneapolis/St.Paul area, and have frequented these beautiful islands managed by the National Park Service.
Josh…a beautiful/ pristine lake right up the road from you is Priest Lake/ Upper Priest Lake…I sailed my M15 a few years back up there. A narrow/ shallow channel connects the two. Perfect SCAMP territory (I did see a SF Pelican run up on an isolated beach)….lots of wilderness, some good beaches, good anchorage too! Beautiful country!
Priest Lake has recently popped up on my radar too. As I commented to a friend recently, it would be interesting to see what cruising without worrying about tides and currents is like
The Indian River Lagoon on the Treasure Coast of Florida has the Intracoastal running through it and there are spoils islands that you can camp on, nice sailing
Lake of the Woods in Minnesota/Ontario has it all--beaches, islands, wind. Big water, but island filled bays to feel like you're covering ground, moving from place to place. And you will be the furthest north you can go in the lower 48.
The North Channel of Lake Huron. I live in FL but have found it to be the best small boat sailing area.
Since I'm always breaking rules, I'll suggest cruisingGeorgian Bay Josh! Not in the States but we are a "Friendly" nation up hear in Canada! You and McCoy could borrow my CROW! I have good knowledge of the area and would be happy to share the many beautiful spots to drop a hook or pull nose to shore, as I most often do! It would be great to meet face to face as well! All the best Roy
Wow, that's quite an offer! Thank you very much, Roy. We will definitely discuss this one.
I mentioned it again in a reply Josh, in case you missed my comment! You would be very welcome to CROW and what charts and any knowledge of our Bay! BestRoy
Trailer to Broughtons (via road to Port MacNeill ) or Barkley Sound. Never trailersailed either one, but cruised there on slightly larger boats, and they would be great for a smaller well-found craft. Or the Octopus Islands area, launching and recovering at Campbell River.
Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Plenty of anchorages and protected sailing. A stop in Bristol at the Herreshoff Marine Museum is a must! And there’s Newport!
You could do the Salish 100 in Washington Sailing the length of the Puget Sound over 5 days. July 20 to 27. https://nwmaritime.org/salish100/ not sure about a boat but you have a few months to work it out. would be happy to help out.
Short trip: New Orleans to Bay St. Louis via Lake Ponchartrain, the Rigolets and Lake Bourne is a unique two or three day trip. Once you are in Bay S. Louis, make a day sail out into the Gulf of Mexico to Ship Island to see Ft. Massachusetts, a civil war era fort that once was a prison for Gironimo. Spend the night on the beach if you want to, or go over to Cat Island and camp on the island on the south east side beach (usually windward), but watch out for the horse flies.
Spring or Fall are best times. April is amazing, but you will still want to bring some mosquito netting.
Longer trip: A row/sail voyage through the Atchafalaya Basin starting at Bayou Plaquemine, down through Pierre Part, a city left in the past. Pass through Lake Veret and stop at Attakapas landing for turtle sauce picant and a beer. Continue through the Four Mile Bayou through Grassy Lake into Lake Palourde. Make a side visit to pass by the fabrication and ship yards in Amelia - stop and get some more good food. Along the way catch some fish or drop down a crawfish net and eat them for dinner. There are plenty of opportunities for side trips and exploration. You might even find the hidden abandoned steam locomotive in the swamp.
After Lake Palourde you will no longer be in little bayous and lakes. There are a few choices - mostly big rivers. You can sail across to Morgan City and portage into the Atchafala Basin or you can take the Intracoastal Waterway to Houma or even New Orleans. If you want to go even further, pop into Lake Ponchartrain and finish up in Bay Saint Louis.
If you go, get local advice first (I can hook you up). Some of the smaller bayous can sometimes be impassable due to water hyacinths. The lakes are very shallow and can get choppy in a storm. Watch out for trot lines that will snag up on your rudder or centerboard. Make sure you can raise and lower the mast easily because there are many low bridges. You can get up close to the eagles, but don't pet the alligators.
This one sounds exotic and interesting for sure!
You say you've largely sailed the West Coast. Now in California, or at least Northern California, with its rugged and unfriendly coastline, the small boat cruising ground with countless anchorages, and swimming holes, and obscure sleepy little places to dock and dine, that comes to mind isn't on the coast per-se, but rather is the Sacramento River Delta - simply "The Delta."
Actually, what I'm hoping is that you've previously visited there, and can point me to an archive article of the visit!
The most comprehensive guide to visiting there is an out-of-print book published nearly 30 years ago in 1995 -- "Hal Schell's guide to cruising California's delta: The delta dawdler's dream tour of this fabulous 1,000-mile waterway."
EDIT: By searching the substack, I did find this which mentions the delta, and a number of other likely spots. Obviously, you're fishing for more. ;-)
https://smallcraftadvisor.substack.com/p/small-boat-paradise
Actually although I lived close to it for years, I've yet to do a proper Delta cruise. Will consider. Thanks for the reminder!
By far one of the absolute prettiest destinations is Moosehead Lake Maine.
A small boater delete! Steeped in rich history and full of multiple bays and islands, Moosehead offers everything anyone could want. A beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills and at points, steep rock faces, it has a very remote feeling as soon as you head north from its only little settlement, Grenville, at the lower end. A sweet little hamlet, it has multiple restaurants, stores and a good ice cream shop all wishing a short walk of the town docks. Much to see and do and sailing from long open water stretches to more protected bays, Moosehead is truly hard to beat! Even Henry David Thoreau made the trek there twice!
I've actually got this on the schedule this summer to do with my son, who's just getting old enough to come along on a camp cruise. Looking forward to it!
2x - I’m also planning to cruise Moosehead Lake this summer. Beautiful area.
Let's share ideas as we get closer to summer aranlawrence@gmail.com
OK, need to look into this one for sure.
Chesapeake area has hundreds of places to safely cruise - but - July is hazy hot and humid much of the time with evening storms also at times. The great Northeast; Rhode Island's Naragansett Bay and Maine's Penobscot Bay can be delightful, also keeping the temps down a bit!
Best wishes narrowing it down. Just to have the option is, the, good life - good luck
OBX130, July 30, Sealevel, NC.
Little Current Is a nice destination.
Very friendly people in Canada.
We launched at Spanish and sailed to the Benjamin's. Then Little Current. My second trip.
My vote is for the North Channel.
The Chesapeake Bay has long earned its reputation as a great small boat cruising ground. Set off in a shoal-draft boat, and you'll have endless miles of bays, creeks and rivers pretty much to yourself. I'm sure a boat could be located for you. I could probably join you in Terrapin. I wouldn't advise mid-summer -- little wind and lots of heat. But spring and fall are fantastic.
I highly recommend boating adventure in either the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore or the remote Isle Royale NP in Western Lake Superior. I'm a longtime trailer sailor from the Minneapolis/St.Paul area, and have frequented these beautiful islands managed by the National Park Service.
Josh…a beautiful/ pristine lake right up the road from you is Priest Lake/ Upper Priest Lake…I sailed my M15 a few years back up there. A narrow/ shallow channel connects the two. Perfect SCAMP territory (I did see a SF Pelican run up on an isolated beach)….lots of wilderness, some good beaches, good anchorage too! Beautiful country!
Definitely planning on that one soon, Dan!
Priest Lake has recently popped up on my radar too. As I commented to a friend recently, it would be interesting to see what cruising without worrying about tides and currents is like
The Indian River Lagoon on the Treasure Coast of Florida has the Intracoastal running through it and there are spoils islands that you can camp on, nice sailing
Lake of the Woods in Minnesota/Ontario has it all--beaches, islands, wind. Big water, but island filled bays to feel like you're covering ground, moving from place to place. And you will be the furthest north you can go in the lower 48.