Our destination for wintering – Crysler Park Marina

Spallpeen docking in the Crysler Park marina

In the end, after cruising 106 miles on Lake Ontario and St.Lawrance River, we got to the Crysler Park Marina. This is the place of our wintering – after a couple of days of waiting, which we spent sailing and walking along the shore, we hauled the sailboat with the help of a large crane. Now it’s time to prepare the sailboat for the winter.

CTD cast with RBRbrevio
Profiling with RBRmaestro
The plot of the physical-chemical parameters in the St.Lawrence River near Crysler Park marina
Hauling out

Passing the Iroquois Lock

CTD survey near the Iroquois Lock during the waiting time

The passage of locks on the St. Lawrence River is quite difficult in logistics. Mandatory pre-registration with the correct time of lockage of small vessels unknown until the last day, prepayment of lockage (25 dollars), poor communication with the operation of the locks and the lack of docks for overnight stay before the morning lockage – all this introduces some confusion in the planning of passage through them. And the most unexpected thing is that after all the ordeal, you will find out that in fact there is no level drop, and the lock is actually a double gates, which can only be passed through if all the requirements are met, at least that was the case with us – before one gate closed others began to open and we alone non-stop passed through the inner basin of the lock.

Passing through the Iroquois Lock
Ruskin plot of physical-chemical parameters near Iroquois Lock

1000 Islands in one day (before it was one night)

Rainbow at the entrance to the 1000 Islands National Park

One of the most beautiful parts of the St. Lawrence River is the 1000 Islands. We missed the chance to enjoy this beauty when we motor-sailed up the river and passed them at night, unable to find an anchorage in shallow and turbulent waters. This time we approached 1000 Islands in the morning, in a hurry to escape from stormy weather, greetings from hurricane Fiona.

Monument of St.Lawrence
Guests Boathouse
Finally, we’ve docked in the Brockville Harbour