Introduction:
To call the Great Lakes “lakes” does them a disservice! They really are inland seas and represent some of the best cruising grounds in the world. They contain 1/5 of the world’s fresh water and the combined coastline of all 5 lakes is approximately 18,000 km’s or roughly 44% of the circumference of the earth. The lakes contain enough water to cover all of North America to a depth of about 5 ft.
Lake Ontario has many wonderful harbours especially at the western end on both the Canadian and American sides. The lake is a relatively safe body of water on which to sail, but safety is still very important – your vessel must be safe and secure and weather knowledge plays an important role. The purpose of this seminar is to talk about safety issues for sailing Lake Ontario and share our knowledge of the many fine harbours, all within a day’s sail of Bronte.
Sail Safely:
Safety gear – make sure your vessel is equipped with the appropriate items as per the Canada Safe Boating Guide. Keep in mind an inflatable PFD does NOT count if it is not worn – so if all you have are inflatable PFD’s get them on if the marine unit stops you for a safety check! Please also ensure you know the “Rules of the Road” in relation to on the water traffic!
Mechanical – make sure your engine is in good shape – oil changed, oil and fuel filters changed, impeller and belts in good shape, etc. Many a great cruise has come to an ignominious end due to engine problems that could have been avoided with proper maintenance. Be sure to do a visual inspection of your engine every time you go out – it can be a pain, but is a good habit to get into. Also make sure all your through-hulls are in good shape – make sure you regularly open and close them so as to “exercise” them.
Communication – make sure you have a VHF radio and that it works. Please make sure you know how to use it as well for both regular hailing as well as emergency use. You should have your Restricted Operators License – if not, get it. If you have a DSC equipped VHF make sure you have your MMSI programmed in and that you know how to use this function. Cell phones will work – at this end of the lake you can always get a signal – but remember to use *16, not 911. Note – using a VHF to make a distress call is ALWAYS better than a cell phone, because other boaters can hear your call and come to your aid – remember, whenever you are on the water, your VHF MUST be on and tuned to channel 16!
Sails & Rigging – At least once a season check your standing rigging. If you store your boat with the mast up, make sure you get the bosuns’ chair working and make a trip up the mast at the beginning of the year. As with your engine inspections make it a habit to regularly inspect both the standing and running rigging on a regular basis.
Weather – as you know, the weather on Lake Ontario can get quite nasty – east winds, thunderstorms, etc, so always check the weather. You can go the low-tech way and get it on your VHF, but the way to go is online using a smartphone, tablet or PC. Passage Weather, Wind Guru, the Canadian Met Office and NOAA are excellent sources. I like passage weather because it provides wind and wave forecasts. Take them with a grain of salt though – compare the forecast with what you actually see and feel on the lake.
Navigation – at this end of Lake Ontario is fairly straightforward, until it isn’t! So you need charts – electronic will do, either using an MFD or tablet or PC along with a GPS connection. If your primary source is electronic you should always have a paper back up. Keep in mind the Richardsons Chart Book is technically not a chart. You should always have a copy of Chart #1 – either in paper form or electronically.
Finally – if you are making a longer trip, you should always have a float plan. You can get these on line, or you can do it informally as well. My float plan consists of letting my son know my plan – I text when I leave with the destination and approximate ETA. I then text when I arrive. If I don’t do so within a few hours, he will first call me then alert the coast guard if he can’t get a hold of me. Insurance – these days, many yacht clubs and marinas require proof of insurance. My insurer provides a card (just like my auto insurance) that I keep in the nav station – make sure you have this information on board.
Western Lake Ontario Harbours
Oakville
OYS and Oakville club
Oakvile Yacht Squadron and the Oakville Club are located a scant 4 miles from Bronte Harbour Yacht Club. They are both nice destinations. Oakville’s conveniently located downtown is ideal for cruisers who like to dine out. OYS's officer of the day program is a little week. The usual procedure is to go and tie up at the visitors dock and ask anyone who comes along about signing in. Try to avoid the dock when sailing school is coming and going. The Oakville club has a full time dockmaster who can be hailed on Channel 68. The club has a pool. Beware of the Bar and restaurant - they don't quote prices on the menu and can be quite expensive.
Port Credit
Snug Harbour/ Port Credit Harbour Marina
Snug Harbour, located in the heart of downtown Port Credit, is about 10 miles from Bronte. Make sure you hug the east side of the entrance as you come into the harbour The port has a transient marina and visitors can tie up for free on the federal dock located on the east side of the channel entrance by the restaurant. Like Oakville, Port Credit has a great selection of restaurants for cruisers who prefer dining out to cooking including Snug Harbour which you can tie up next to. The Store and Bristol Marine are both with close walking for anyone in need of boat or engine parts. The Port Credit Harbour Marina is also here – don’t go there! It is run down and the facilities are horrible!
Port Credit Yacht club is located 12 miles from Bronte. Located in an area of extensive parkland, the club is not close to amenities other than Holland marine and Genco which are both within (longish) walking distance. The club has a nice restaurant and bar and offers a swimming pool – it is a lovely location.
Port Credit Municipal Marina
There is a municipal marina located further down the channel. It is nice and well run but I cannot think of a single good reason to go there other than the unlikely event of not being able to get a reciprical at PCYC.
This is a smaller club located between two more popular destinations (PCYC & Etobicoke). They don't get that many visitors. It is a good spot to get out of bad weather. If you do go for the night make sure you have your own supplies. It is a long walk to the nearest restaurant and the club doesn't have one. There is, however, a good walking trail here if you are in need of some excercise.
Mimico Yacht Club / Etobicoke Yacht Club.
These two clubs are located in the same harbour on the West end of Humber Bay. To go to Etobicoke, hang a left as you come down the channel. Mimico offers a full service restaraunt, but yoou can easily walk over to if from EYC. Walking through the Humber Delta is good as is access to the Martin Goodman trail.
If you have your dinghy, don’t miss a trip up the Humber river to the Toronto Humber Yacht Club. It is accessible only to smaller power boats and is a very friendly club. The beer is frosty and it is a very lovely trip up the river.
There is a good anchorage tucked up in the western edge of Humber Bay – it is well protected in our normal north, west and south west winds.
The Boulevard club is located on an out of the way location on the north end of Humber Bay. They don't have that many docks and obtaining a reciprocal here can be tricky. It is on the Martin Goodman trail, which is great if you bought bicycles. Otherwise, it is a 25 minute walk to the nearest amenities which are located in Liberty village.
TSCC
Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club is the second oldest sailing club in Toronto. Nestled at foot the of a high bluff, visitors are largely spared the noise from Lakeshore Road. If you visit here, you will be assigned a mooring along the wall. The club has a water taxi service and will happily lend you a dinghy for those periods when the taxi service is not available. Just leave the dinghy tied to the mooring when you leave. If you draw more than 4 feet, don't try to get near the dock. Agood time to visit is race nights on Tuesday and Thursday when the bar is open and food service is offered.
The National Yacht Club/ Alexandra Yacht Club
The National and Alexandra Yacht clubs are located in the same basin at the west end of the western gap. These two clubs are good choices for anyone interested in city activities in Toronto. The clubs are a short walk from Queen's Quay and Union Station. The National, the larger of the two clubs, offers a full service restaurant. Be aware that noise from the Toronto Island airport is an issue at both these clubs. Alexandra offers guests the use of a kitchen.
Toronto Island Marina / Hanlans / Harbour City Yacht Club
The Island Marina is one of our favorite places to stay in Toronto. The outer basin commands a spectacular view of the Toronto skyline. Any concerts held at the Queen's Quay ampitheater can be enjoyed from the small north facing beach. The club has a friendly bar and small snack bar. There is a restaurant next to the ferry docks outside the Marina gates. Don't go there. The Island Marina also services the docks at Hanlan's point with it's well known proximity to the clothing optional beach. The Island marina also hosts Harbour Central sailing club which does offer slips to reciprical clubs. The club has a floating clubhouse and lounge with about 5 slips out front. The marina tender, which drops you at Queen's Quay is cheaper than the adjacent City ferry and does take bicycles, though it is worth pointing out that fares are not collected at the island end of the city ferry.
There are also a couple of nice anchorages in Toronto Island – one in Lighthouse pond up beyond the end of Hanlan’s point and also in behind donut island and St. Andrew’s cut. You need to watch the depth and use shorter scope, so it helps if you have an all chain rode. These spots are well protected and very quiet and enjoyable. We have tested Claw, Danforth type, Plow and Rocna anchors here. All worked well.
I have been here for regattas, when the atmosphere is more relaxed, but have never stayed. People who have stayed tell me that the club is quite accommodating. You will need a collared shirt and dress shorts on the grounds. Jacket and Tie are required for the dining room although a less formal cafeteria is available. You are also a short walk from a couple of restaurants on the south side of Toronto Island. The club does have a tender that runs to the city.
This is great club located at the eastern end of Toronto Island. Be a little careful entering the channel. There is a mudbank to east of it in the harbour and another, which is marked with a red buoy, north of the sunken freighter that protects the channel. Call on the VHF on 68 between the hours of 9:00 and 5:00 for a slip assignment. After hours, tie up at the crane dock. This is the third oldest club in Toronto. They still have the old Marine rail system in place for launching and retrieving boats. Take a walk through the old boatyard to see some of the forgotten dreams languishing here. The club has a full service restaurant. A beach and alternate restaurants are a short walk away. The club does have tender that runs regularly for those wishing to get to the city. The Ward Island ferry, which does take bicycles, is a 5 minute walk away.
Outer Harbour Marina
I stayed here once and will never go back. The marina is run by the Toronto Port Authority and displays all of that organizations concern for its own well being instead of its public mandate. The staff are indifferent at best and rude and confrontational at worst. Aside from it's proximity to the Cherry Street spit, there is really nothing to attract cruisers here.
Just around the Cherry Street spit lies The Toronto Hydroplane Club. It is a smaller friendly club with good access to the beach and the vibrant neighbourhood along Kingston Road. There are some draft problems for boats over 5 feet later in the season. Be wary after heavy a heavy rainfall. The club is located next to a water treatment plant and the catchment ponds can overflow letting raw sewage into the harbour.
Right next to THC is Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club. They have no depth issues and offer the same convenient access to the beach and neighbourhood. Ashbridges does have a bar and full service restaurant. Note that both Ashbridges and THC are a bit off the beaten path if you are travelling east or west. They do require a couple of mile detour to get in.
Bluffers Park
Bluffers park is a man made harbour about half way between Toronto and Pickering. There are five clubs and a marina in the basin so getting a reciprocal here will never be a problem. Highland is probably the friendliest of the five clubs. The park is removed from amenities but makes a great waypoint for boats travelling east or west. Also there is a huge, beautiful sand beach just to the east of Bluffers – it is a nice place to go to with the kids. The clubs contained within the Bluffers breakwall are Highland Park Yacht Club, Bluffers Park Yacht Club, Scarborough Bluffs Sailing Club and Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club.
Wilson, New York
The small town of Wilson New York offers a host of options for overnighting. The Tuscarora Yacht Club is the first club encountered to the left of the channel. It is pretty quiet during the week but there is a full time steward on duty. Wilson Yacht Club is next up the channel on the left. I have been advised by members that the 30' restriction noted in the ports guide is untrue and that they can accommodate larger boats. Wilson is an extremely friendly club. If you have not cleared customs yet keep heading up the channel. The state park dock is on your left. Just up the hill is a videophone. Bring your passports, ships documentation and cruising permit with you along with a pen. You can clear customs at the videophone. Be prepared to write down and retain your clearance number. Vessels with deeper drafts may want to consider clearing in at Youngstown later in the season. Keep in mind if your boat is 30’ or more you need a cruising permit. You can get this online, but make sure you do it now as it takes a few weeks to process and get here. Anchoring is permitted off the state park.
Located directly across the Niagara river from Niagara on the Lake is the Youngstown Yacht Club. Other than regatta weekends, this place is pretty quiet. The customs dock and videophone are located right by the club and there are no depth issues for deeper draft vessels. Although you will probably be on the wall in front of the club if you get a reciprocal here, you don't seem to get bounced around as much as on the Canadian side. Avoid this place on Regatta weekends.
Niagra on the Lake Sailing Club
The yacht club charges a fee to visiting boats. Generally, you will be allowed to tie up on the wall facing the Niagara river. Wakes from heavy boat traffic on weekends has resulted in a few sleepless nights. The town is walkable and is impossibly quaint.
Located about 20 miles from Bronte, this is one of the outstanding destinations on the south shore. There is a marina and a yacht club and reciprocals are never a problem. The club offers a full service bar and restaurant facilities on some days. A twenty minute walk away is the historic town of Port Dalhousie, which was the original starting point of the Welland canal. The village offers amenities as well as a park and the best beach on the south shore.
Grimsby
A nice distination for shallow draft boats. The marina is small but friendly. Amenities are a fifteen minute walk away in the town. No recipricals available here.
A yacht club within a marina located in conservation area situated about 8 miles from Bronte. There is a restaurant overlooking the well protected harbour and good walking trails. It also has a nice beach which you can just anchor off for the day. The club does offer a reciprocals but there are a limited number on any given day. Get there early if you want one on a weekend.
Hamilton
Once you are under the Hamilton bridge you have quite a few potential spots to stay in Hamilton Harbour. Remember the bridge will not open unless you are in the channel at the half or on the hour. Get close to bridge beforeit starts to go up. It is further than it looks and the bridgetenders are not fond of laggards.
Once through the bridge you are greeted with the spectacle of Hamilton's fascinating but not welcoming east end. Despair not. On the North shore lies the Burlington Sailing & Boating club. Located in Lasalle Park, this is a good spot to relax. Bring whatever you need for your time here as it is a long walk to the nearest store of any kind.
On the South shore, in Hamilton’s upward trending Jamestown area, we come to Harbour West marina. Although this place is very well located it offers nothing that cannot be had at the free option, Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. The club is a short walk from restaurants, two marine chandleries, and extensive parklands. The club also offers a full service bar and restaurant.
About a half mile past RHYC is Macassa Bay Yacht Club. This is a self help club so no bar and restaurant of the premises, although it is very friendly. Other than that, it offers the same proximity to Jamestown that RHYC does and is closer to the parkland.
At the extreme west end of Hamilton Harbour is one of the few spots that western Lake Ontario sailors can anchor. Well protected on four sides and with good holding in mud bottom is Carol's Point.
