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From: Dennis Bruckel (no email)
Date: Sat Jul 02 2005 - 05:51:12 EDT
We launched Sadie B (1984 Albin 27 FC) last Thursday, June 22, after
successfully firing up the engine using a bucket and hose alongside the
engine cooling water inlet. After some air bleeding, she fired and ran
well, so into the water we went! To those new readers not familiar with
Sadie B, this is a great feeling, having an engine with 7,500 hours light
up after a long Vermont winter.
We headed out of Pelot's Bay in North Hero, and ventured only 11 miles the
first day, to the lee shore of Isle La Motte in northern Lake Champlain,
staying not far from where Samuel Champlain landed, after coming from the
St. Lawrence River, our next destination. Entering Canada, we proceeded to
the Canadian Customs dock just above Rouses Point, VT on a choppy day, and
were told we would not need to come alongside, and were simply asked our
plans. No paper passed, no permit number given, no nothing except, "Have a
nice stay in Canada". So much for the heightened security measures we've
read about.
We stayed two evenings in St. Jeans, Quebec, relishing being without a
travel schedule for the first time in several years. Near here we were
hailed by a passing Endeavor Trawler Cat (Short Circat) who noted that the
last time they saw us was when I was having my ponytail cut off for the
benefit auction at Solomons Trawler Fest several years ago. St. Jeans is a
great stop, with a terrific market only 5-6 blocks west, at the corner of
Rue St. Joseph and Gregoire. Meat market, bakery, green grocery, liquor
store, beer and wine store, bulk good store, etc., etc. all under one roof.
The Chambly waterway, between St. Jeans and Chombly is very quaint and
historic. Opened in 1843, it is nearly completely original, with hand
cranked valves and gates, mostly staffed by lovely young French Canadian
ladies, mostly college students. About ten miles long, it is above the
surrounding landscape and Richelieu River for most of its length, and
terminates with 8 locks in a space of only a mile or so, finally dropping
the northbound cruiser into Lake Chombly, the site of a restored early
French fort.
Along the entire length ten mile length of this canal is a well maintained
bike path located on the old tow path. Cruising on the canal on Sunday
prompted us to bike the path on Monday. Big mistake! Twenty miles of
biking, even on a well maintained level path nearly sparked a mutiny by the
crew, as well as severe discomfort of the Captain's aft parts. Needless to
say, we rested the rested the rest of the day.
Leaving Lake Chombly, one is in the Richelieu River for another 40 or so
miles to the St. Lawrence with favorable currents of 1-1.5 miles per hour.
Then we encountered head currents of 1.5-2.0 miles per hour the whole
nearly 60 miles to just east of Montreal. Right now we are anchored in a
lovely quiet channel just in front and south of Boucherville, Quebec, about
7 miles from the first of two Seaway locks which take us around the rapids
of Montreal. Our plan is to do this today, the day before Confederation Day
(equal to our 4th of July, more or less), then cruise the newly opened
Lachine Canal. We were told that this restored waterway, connecting upper
Canada with the navigable lower St. Lawrence at Old Montreal is open to
boats with air draft of less than 2.5 meters. We think our Albin 27 will
make this by about three inches!
Its been nearly as hot as it ever gets up here so far, nights in the low
70's and days often above 90. Who said one could leave the south to escape
the need for air conditioning? But, changes are expected shortly, by the
weekend. So far temperatures are averaging 12-15 degrees above normal. And
the days are long! Daylight at 4:15 AM (I know this) and still light at
9:30 PM. (my wife tells me this)
Later plans call for a cruise up the Ottawa River, then down the Rideau,
then ?. Perhaps the Trent Severn and Canadian winter storage, or perhaps
back to Vermont for the winter, via Lake Ontario, the Erie system east and
Champlain Canal. I'll report our progress every few weeks and hope to meet
some Listee along the way.
Dennis and Esther
Dennis Bruckel, M/V Sadie B
Albin 27
407-933-6446 land line (winters only)
407 414 0531 cell phone (year around)
Website: www.debruckel.com
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