Back to Dorval

Jessica and Jeremy met me at Le Club Nautique de Longueuil at 8:00 AM with coffee and croissants.  

We set out to the locks, where a large ship was waiting to exit.  We radioed him, and it was suggested we turn around and let him pass.  We complied.  

After a short wait at the dock, they departed the dock prematurely because other boats were positioning to enter the lock.  An EcoMaris with a large crew entered the lockway before the green light.  Gotta tell Lise!

Another boat tied up to us.  Overall, it was an uneventful lockage.

We skipped the zig-zag channel and followed the Auto-route.  I tried to dock at the sheer leg, but JP was hogging it, so I docked at 14:56. We were welcomed by Jason, Michel M., and others.  

I eventually got the mast off on Sunday

Met with Shipwright and EB Spar on Monday

And raced with Bruce on Tuesday.

Good to be home, but Lake St. Louis is so small now.

Ile Verte to Longueil

I departed at noon for an 11 NM trip to Longueuil. 

It is a relatively short trip from what is effectively the east end of Montreal to Longueuil Marina. About 15 miles.  However, the current can exceed 3 knots.  

Ships and passenger ferries are plentiful.  

Anchored at 15h30 outside Le Club Nautique de Longueuil.  Took the dinghy to the club and looked around, then visited Longueuil Marina to investigate the best venue to pick up Jessica to help me through the Seaway locks.

Longueuil Marina was large and had nice docks, but all the docks were well gated, and the fuel dock was only open at 8.  There was also confusion about parking availability due to the F1 weekend.

St Ours to Ile Verte

I got out at 8ish, and the two other boats had already departed.  I took out the garbage and departed at 8:12. 

Up the Richelieu River was uneventful. Current was 1.5 to 2 knots in my favour.  The only boat I passed was near the St Lawrence, and I asked him to slow down, and he did.  We waved.  Unlike 2018, when hundreds of power boats passed close to us, making it very uncomfortable with the mast on deck.

The St Lawrence was cold, rolly and windy.  The current was 1 knot against me. The leg was 30 NM when I arrived at Ile Verte.

I had some indecision about anchoring at Ile Verte.  The current was strong and windy - but bother were coming from the west.  I puttered around, looking for a shallow spot.  I ended up anchoring on the windward side of Ile Verte in 18 feet of water at 4:30.  

I was tired and cold, so I took a nap and then made a quick supper of Korean Ramen, which was spicy and warmed me up.

Chambly to St Ours

I left the anchorage at 9:45 and sailed across the bay to the Richelieu River towards St. Ours lock.

Upon arrival, they did not respond to my radio until I was about half a mile away, when they informed me that the lock would open in 10 minutes and instructed me to put my fenders to port.  I repeated the instructions, and she said yes - On the Left!

I was nervous that I was single-handed, but I was aware there was a floating dock in the lock, so it should be easy. 

The lockage was easy.  Carol, a student of Norm’s VHF course.  She was expecting BELLUM!  

I completed the lock at 2PM and spent the afternoon at the park.  Made supper and went to bed a little early.

St Jean to Chambly -s the locks with Hal

When I arrived at St Jean on Monday at 1:15, just after the last lockage. They told me I would be first at 9AM.  But I needed a crew to do the locks. I told them that I had a crew coming tomorrow - weather permitting … The forecast called for heavy rain on Tuesday.  

They passed a 67-foot powerboat about 2 PM. She was scheduled to depart at 9:00 AM on Tuesday. I was annoyed that they let him through before me.  They told me that I would be at 1 PM on Tuesday, since there would be no staff available at 9 AM.  

I met Palbert and his girlfriend at the lock.  I told him to come help me with the locks tomorrow.  He agreed to.  I had lots of doubts and concerns about him.  I talked a lot, and I was not too sure how stable he was.

On Tuesday morning, it rained and stopped around 10:30. Hal showed up, and we chatted and prepared to depart.  The other boat wanted its fenders on the port side, so I departed the dock a little earlier to switch my fenders to the starboard side.  

The lockage went well, except at lock 7, a fender got caught against the wall and ripped off the handrail. It was attached to the handrail.

At Lock 2, Martin showed up with a dock wheel that I wanted to buy on the Facebook marketplace.

After lock 1, we docked.  We were going to go for a late lunch and met a dock operator. We asked if anyone was driving back to St. Jean, and Yve was scheduled to arrive at 1700.  We had lunch- a Montreal Pizza consisting of a funny dough with smoked meat and yellow mustard … at $33, it was pretty pricy.

After I had departed, I had a beer with Catherine and her crew, who were docked in front of BELLUM.

They gave me the shower code for the marina, and I had a shower.  

I departed the dock for an anchorage nearby.

St. Paul to Ile aux Noix to St. Jean

Kaloni finally contacted me.  I tried to get in touch with her to see if she could help me with the locks.  I had lost contact with her, and I was aware she had some family issues.  She was in very bad shape and didn’t think she could or should help me.

Hal was planning to help me with the locks anyway.

I departed my anchorage at Fort Lennox after the rain at about 11.  I got the St Jean and docked at 1;15… use missing the last lockage.

I visited St. Jean on Monday, but everything was closed.

Smuggler Harbor to Fort Lennox St Paul Ile aux Noix

Got up at 8, put the dinghy back on the Dinghy Tow and departed the anchorage.  I noticed how clear the water in Lake Champlain was.

I called CBP at Rouses Point to see if I needed to check out of the USA.  I told him I had a cruising permit and cruising license.  He told me he "did not think so".

I headed north slowly at 2000 rpm, arriving at Canada Customs at 2:30. Canada Customs was a breeze, and they were amused that I kissed the ground.  Customers were a breeze.

I headed for St. Jean, but Hal was unavailable on Monday to do the Chambly locks, so I stopped at Fort Lennox for the night.  

The anchorage east of the island was congested with over 100 boats at anchor.