Crossing Lake Ontario to Oswego

Monday October 4^th we got up and studied the forecast and decided that we had a window to cross Lake Ontario. We got word from a friend waiting in Oswego that the locks were closed due to high water from the rain however we decided it was time to go. Once our friends and traveling companions Sharon, Phil, George and Liz arrived, we wasted no time to depart Harbourfront  with our first port of call being Oswego NY where we would clear customs. Our first leg would be hugging the north shore to give us protection from the north east winds.  We all marvelled at the beautiful sunset that surrounded the city of Toronto as we said goodbye for the winter. Once everyone settled into the motion of the boat and wave pattern  we had a relatively smooth cruise to Popham Bay where we anchored at 3:00am for the night. During the cruise everyone managed to sleep even over the noise of the engine.  Lifting anchor in the morning presented us with our first challenge; our new anchor chain which we purchased last year did not quite match the gypsy cogs causing the chain to slip when we tried to lift anchor. The men used their creativity to figure out a solution that would work to lift the anchor proving that three heads are always better than one. 

Tuesday Oct 5^th - We departed the anchorage having secured everything on the boat for the second leg of the trip across Lake Ontario. We prepared lunch so that we did not have to do galley duty in rough weather. Once we left the protection of our anchorage at Popham and surrounding islands, the winds and waves increased over the next few hours. The crossing was to be 8 hours but it became quickly evident that we could not maintain that course due to the wind and wave direction. We altered course to port to take the waves more on the bow and reduce the rolling action. We continued to do adjustments for the next two hours and then it became clear when the winds increased that we needed to find an alternative destination for the night. We decided on heading to Main Duck Island which affords protection for NE winds on the south side of 2 mile island. The option of turning broadside into the waves to continue our four hour crossing was no longer an option. We set the GPS and altered our course for a 2 hour cruise to Main Duck Island.  Over the next hour things started to settle down, the waves reduced and it was almost flat once we settled into the last hour approach to Main Duck. We anchored and enjoyed dinner in a nice protected anchorage. At about 11 pm the winds switched to NW which were not forecast to change until Thursday. Diane was up periodically checking the perimeter alarm on the anchor until Ted took over at 2am.

Wednesday Oct 6^th brought blue skies, sunshine and a smooth final crossing of Lake Ontario from Main Duck to Oswego, NY.  With the thought of rough weather behind us, the heavy sweaters were replaced with t-shirts and sunglasses as everyone enjoyed a relaxing three hour cruise and lunch at the upper flybridge on our final approach to the USA. This is the way Lake Ontario should always be.  Getting unto the wall posed a challenge for the captain and crew. Due to the efforts to lower the water levels in the Oswego River, the water rushing out of the river combined with the winds from the Lake was causing a lot of confused eddies and currents which was making it difficult to turn in the channel. As always, our Captain Ted remained calm and managed to safely manoeuvre the boat to the wall without incident.  Once we were secured, we walked to the marina to clear customs and acquire our cruising permit that would enable us to cruise through the US without having to clear in at every state. 

Thursday & Friday October 7 & 8^th – We spent time doing work on the boat and getting to know the town of Oswego. The water is still rushing past us as they try to reduce the water levels in order to re-open the locks.  Early Thursday morning a large 100’ yacht named Perseverance docked behind us on the wall. The captain mentioned to us in the morning that he came close to hitting our boat when he trying to dock. He had not expected the water action to be as much of a concern until he started to lose control and had to take immediate and decisive action to avoid hitting us.  This was another close call and the reason why we must be on alert for other boats coming in to dock.  Finally there was time for that haircut that I was hoping to get before I left Toronto!  Our traveling companions say they have never been so well fed and that they are enjoying their experiences on board with an amazing combination of nail biting passages, breath taking scenery, relaxing, reading and playing games.  There is enough laughter and shouting during the nightly games to be cause for complaints to the local noise bylaw enforcement officer.

Saturday October 9^th – The weather is beautiful and we take advantage to go for a daily walk along the Oswego River. The water is still running fast and we passed the site where two local fishermen died last week when they got swept up by the raging river. They were in the water with hip waders but no life jackets.  Rescuers managed to save two of the four men last week but still today we see men in the water with no life jackets, so obviously the lesson was no learned. The city proposes to pass legislation next year requiring fishermen in the water to wear lifejackets.  Back to the boat for dinner and then to the Oswego Cinema for a movie night.  Our friends paid as seniors and we managed to do the same  (even me) but ofcourse I let Ted buy the tickets. Back to the boat for another Farcle challenge.