Now the North Channel – Killarney to Little Current

Subtitle: A "little" current at Little Current.

We awoke Thursday morning in Killarney with a warning for increasing winds for the next four days (Thursday to Sunday) over Lake Superior, Lake Huron, the Georgian Bay and the North Channel.  The forecast anticipated a low currently to the east  to deepen and move slowly through the area with accompanying winds, rain and thunderstorms. 

Given the forecast and with winds already starting to pick up (NE at 15 MPH), we were faced with a decision.  Stay in Killarney for four days or move on to Little Current, our next destination.  This was an easy decision.  Everyone we’ve met along the Great Loop told us that Little Current was the place to go and it was only a 20 mile run.  Only problem, the Port of Little Current, the most desirable marina,  does not take reservations.  When we called just before leaving they said our chances were good but no guarantees.

We departed Killarney at 10:14 AM and headed west.  Our route took as past several islands that create reasonably protected waters.  That said, with winds at 15 to 20 MPH it does not take much to stir up waves over relatively short distances and there was still a lot of open water.  At different points on the route we experienced a range of seas from flat to 3 foot waves.  Fortunately, the three footers were on the stern (a following sea) and easy to handle.

Little Current is part of Manitoulin Island, the largest fresh water inland in the world.  It is attached to the mainland by the Little Current Swing Bridge, which open for 15 minutes each hour.  We arrived at Little Current at 12:50 PM and were able to get under the bridge which shows a clearance of 18 ft.  We need only 14 feet.  So, no wait.

Strawberry Island Light just outside Little Currect

As we approached the marina it was clear that we would have a challenge.  The good news is that the Port had a 50 feet slip (bow in port tie).  The bad news is that the slip was perpendicular to the wind, which was blowing at 20 MPH and Little Current had a "current" running from the east that was not exactly “little.”

Landing a 50 foot boat in these conditions presents several challenges.   There is the possibility if you lose momentum of being blown into the boat across the slip to the south; there is a possibility of being carried by the current into the boats on the west side of the fairway; and there is a possibility of being blown into the boats on the wall to the south. 

I would like to say that I made it on the first try but that was not the case.   My first three tries involved backing into the fairway so that I could make an upwind up current approach to the slip.  Backing up didn’t work.  Too slow and not enough control.  A bow in entry to the fairway close to the boats on the west side with a pivoting turn to port as we came abreast of the slip and a strong burst of starboard engine power as the boat lined up for entry and 4 marina staff on the dock and perfect line handling by Diana did the trick.  Again the problem here is you basically had to get this right the first time.  A “go around’ (flying language from my past,) while doable, is fraught with problems.

Now we could relax.  Our first act was to go the Anchor Inn (literally 50 yards from the boat) for an alfresco late lunch on the porch.  Now the wind blowing 73 degree water onto shore was our friend.  At lunch we chatted with the Second Officer on the Yorktown, a 260 feet ship that cruises from New York to Chicago during the summer (offerring 7 and 10 day cruises)

MV Yorktown in port at Little Current

Then we met our friends Bob and Jan from Jan’s Tern (45 Tollycraft) and their Wheaton’s, Daphne and Kaylee.  Diana and Jan went shopping while I did a few errands and then joined Bob on Jan’s Tern.

One interesting incident.  While returning Kodi to the boat, I ran into a Canadian Customs and Immigration Officer who was checking to ensure that boats had checked in.  Recall we did that by phone at Trenton after our “fun” crossing of Lake Ontario.  One other small fact, which I didn’t understand when we were given our Report Number.  You’re supposed to post the number on the dock side window.  Good thing I was on the boat.  I showed the officer the number in my log book and she said no problem.  Then she proceed to re-conduct the interview that we had on the phone in Trenton and then wrote a “ticket” and asked me to post it in the window.  She also asked me again about guns, pepper spray and liquor but took me at my word that we had none.  Canada is very laid back.  I have heard that this is clearly not the case when we reenter the US at Drummond Island where you're guilty until proven innocent.

Speaking of laid back.  The Canadian Coast Gaurd rescue boats in trouble.  They do not routinely board boats as the US Coast Gaurd does in Chicago.  Further, during 5,500 mile of travel, we were not boarded by the Coast Guard or police!  That said, while we were in Chicago this summer before leaving for Branford, we were boarded twice on friend's boats.  Further we watched the Coast Gaurd board boats while we were at anchor in the playpen (the gathering place for boats in Chicago).  I don't get it (well maybe I do.  They're probably looking for drunk boaters, which may be more likely around Chicago).

Meanwhile back to the weather.  By Friday, the rain that had been holding south of Little Current most of the day finally moved into our area bringing steady rain.  Checking seas on my Sirius Satellite Weather showed 8 footers on Lake Huron, 6 footers on the Georgian Bay and 3 footers on the North Channel.  Remember, these reading are at the mid-lake buoys.  Downwind from the buoys the waves would be considerably higher as we saw between Point au Baril and Byng Inlet (2 feet versus 4-6 at a distance of 30+ miles from the buoy).

Other fun involved Kodi making friends at the beach with a black poodle who like to run.  Kodi still holds the record.  No dog has every caught her on the run (they only catch her when she runs out of steam).   Kodi also had fun swimming and fetching.

Kodi having a ball

Our custom while visiting new towns is to read the historical signs.  While on our Friday morning walk, we found the remains on an old saw mill founded in 1886.   These signs, and sometime remains (recall the St Johnsville dying factory), show that times change and factories close.  The resultant loss of jobs is a byproduct of progress, which while painfull is not the same as jobs going over seas for lower wages.

Remains of the Red Mill

Note to readers: It's nice to be caught up on the blog for a change.  For most of the trip we've been a bit behind.

Written by Les.