GL: Loop timing

[Dennis Bruckel]

John LeRoy mentioned...

Skipper Bob, in the publication The Great Circle Route, strongly 
recommends reaching Trenton by July 1, to avoid the "rush of 
Canadians on holiday."
 
We're going to have tough time meeting that schedule.

Dennis replies...

Nothing about this trip timing is really cast in stone, except for the ice
in the locks in the north and the canals closing for winter. Mostly the
timing tips deal with generalities in weather patterns and traffic counts
on the canals. In Canada the last two weeks of July are "Labor Holidays",
and boating traffic really does increase dramatically, especially on the
Ottawa River, Rideau, 1,000 Islands area where Montreal based mostly
trailerable boats do their own small loop of around 350 miles from Montreal
counterclockwise back to Montreal. The lock staff refers to this as the
"Invasion of the Quebec Navy". 

We found late July and early August to be an easy time on theTrent Severn,
and also found that many, many cottagers in the Georgian Bay leave their
cottages by the first or second week of August leaving way fewer boats and
lots of anchorages with no traffic.

I've always suggested leaving Mackinaw by Labor Day because the chances of
adverse weather are much greater later. Another rule of thumb, if the
weather is good on Lake Michigan in September, be prepared to put in a few
long days, because it will change soon, and you will be holed up for a few
days. While most of the towns are nice, it will not hurt to miss a few. Of
course, a nice Indian Summer period can come along and reward the late
comers!

It can be cold in Chicago in late September. We've scrapped ice off the
boat there and then. But, Fall color going south on the rivers is best in
late October.  

Try not to put pressure on yourself to do a certain number of miles per
day, but look at your past cruising averages, including lay days and
project where will  or need to be when, and if a little more steam is
needed, or you can take a few days easy. 

Dennis

Dennis Bruckel, Cruising Editor
Waterway Guide
Albin 27  Sadie B
website www.debruckel.com