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Help or advice on cruise planning

2229 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  aloof
Im currently planning the first leg of our seabatical year. At first I wanted to motor down the richelieu river and to the Hudson to reach the ICW going south for next winter. Since the Can $ is dropping alot recently we decided to head East from Québec and to cruise the Gulf of St-lawrence for the first part of our trip.

This is a rundown of our itineray so far, I would like to have your opinion or if any of you went that way if you could give us tips.

07-24-2015
Québec to Cap à l'aigle (Marina)
Distance : 64.1 NM
Estimated time : 10hrs

07-25-2015
Cap-à-l'aigle to Ile-du-pot-à-la-vie (Anchorage)
Distance : 22.5 NM
Estimated time : 4hrs30

07-26-2015
Ile-du-pot-à-la-vie to Parc du Bic (Anchorage)
Distance : 47.7 NM
E.T : 9hrs
Note : plan to spend 1 full day there to explore and leave the next.

07-28-2015
Parc du Bic to Rimouski (Marina)
Distance : 19.2 NM
E.T : 4hrs
Note : A stop to visit friends in town

07-29-2015
Rimouski to Matane (Marina)
Distance : 43.9 NM
E.T : 9hrs

07-30-2015
Matane to Cap-Chat (Marina)
Distance : 42.3 NM
E.T : 8hrs30

07-31-2015
Cap-Chat to Mont-Louis (Anchorage)
Distance: 43.8 NM
E.T : 9hrs

08-01-2015
Mont-Louis to Cloridome (fishing port)
Distance : 41 NM
E.T : 8hrs

08-02-2015
Cloridome to Rivière au Renard (Anchorage)
Distance : 25.6 NM
E.T : 5hrs

08-03-2015
Rivière au Renard to Anse à Brillant (Fishing Port)
Distance : 31.8 NM
E.T : 5hrs45

08-04-2015
Anse-à-Brillant to Petite-Rivière (Fishing Port)
Distance : 31.9 NM
E.T : 5hrs45

08-05-2015
Petite-Rivière to Bonaventure (Marina)
Distance : 58.9 NM
E.T : 10hrs45
Note: 3 days stop for friends and river kayaking

08-08-2015
Bonaventure to Shippagan (Anchorage)
Distance : 43.2 NM
E.t : 8hrs

08-09-2015
Shippagan to Havre-Aubert Magdalen Island (Anchorage)
Distance : 144 NM
E.T : 26hrs
Note : 4 to 5 days to explore the Island and Nightlife

08-14-2015
Havre-Aubert to Souris (P.E.I) (Marina)
Distance : 75.8 NM
E.T : 14hrs

08-15-2015
Souris to Port Hawkebury (Marina)
Distance : 58 NM
E.T : 10hrs30

So this is it what we plan for our first leg of the trip. From there we hope to continu south to Halifax and then cross the Gulf of Maine early September for the second leg of our trip along the US East Coast.

I was wondering how many days should I allow for weather delays ?
We will be 2 inexperience cruiser, I have been sailing for many years but only daysails and weekenders. From Shippagan to Magdalen 24hr sail will be a milestone for me.

Do you find our planning realistic ?

Thank you.
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Sure would be nice if you could get going a bit sooner, sounds like you might have to miss some nice spots...

Are you sure you want to bypass the Sageunay River? I've never been there, but by all accounts it's an awesome place...

You'll love the Magdalens, wonderful place... the wind is known to blow there, however, I sat there several days longer than planned before a strong NE blow finally wore itself out...



Havre Aubert is a wonderful stop, but try to make a stop over on Entry Island, as well... Very friendly little place, quite different from the rest of the Magdalens, and of course you've got to hike up to the top of The Big Hill :)

One thing I'd strongly suggest you try to work in, if at all possible... From the Magdalens, instead of heading to the Canso Canal, go over the top of Cape Breton and down thru the Bras d' Or, instead... It will add a bit of distance, and significant time, but I think that area offers some of the finest cruising all of Nova Scotia has to offer. Baddeck is always one of my favorite stops anywhere in the Maritimes, always an easy spot to linger awhile, and a difficult place to leave...



There's so many wonderful spots to explore along that route, seems really a shame to have to rush through... I'd try to get out of the St Lawrence as quickly as possible, and leave yourself for more time in Nova Scotia, and places like Lunenberg...

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