MacGregorSailors.com

Hey Guys,

So the Admiral and I have decided to take the boat on a road trip next summer. We're getting a bit bored of San Diego Bay and Southern California, and have decided to spend a month with the kids somewhere else.

We're talking about hauling the boat across country to Florida and sailing amongst the keys, and I thought I'd get people's opinions. We're willing to drive to pretty much anywhere, and have gone from San Diego to Florida in the truck with the kids recently.

Anyway, for those of you who know the area, where would you put in, what would you do, and what should we expect? We'd need to store our truck and trailer for three to four weeks somewhere.

Just looking for some collective wisdom.

mastreb wrote:Hey Guys,

So the Admiral and I have decided to take the boat on a road trip next summer. We're getting a bit bored of San Diego Bay and Southern California, and have decided to spend a month with the kids somewhere else.

We're talking about hauling the boat across country to Florida and sailing amongst the keys, and I thought I'd get people's opinions. We're willing to drive to pretty much anywhere, and have gone from San Diego to Florida in the truck with the kids recently.

Anyway, for those of you who know the area, where would you put in, what would you do, and what should we expect? We'd need to store our truck and trailer for three to four weeks somewhere.

Just looking for some collective wisdom.

Summer can get pretty brutal especially mid-late June on when the humidity really ramps up. Would you be living on the boat the whole time on anchor, in a marina?? We were on the water early June last year with some friends for 3 days and out on the water away from shore it was a lot more tolerable.

Where to go is a question mark unless you are just putting in and saying goodby to the truck and such for the month. If that was the case I'd put in at South Dade Marina and head south on the ICW on the Gulf side where you have protection, the water is clear and it is pretty. You could work down as far as you wanted, but the further southwest you get then the less protection if things get bad. No real beaches in the Keys, but swimming off the boat is nice.

The other option is the west coast where Charlotte Harbor is nice, but beaches are real limited unless you get on the outside in the Gulf then you don't have good places to anchor unless the wind is from the east. The water is not clear over there and I'm less likely to get into it. If you head south into the 10,000 Islands you leave civilization behind. We like that, but it isn't for everyone.

I'd look at our trips and other people's trip reports and pictures and see what might fit you the best. Also remember you are getting into the early part of the hurricane season in June and more into the height in August. Also a lot of people down there don't sail as much in the summer as the winds are down, except during a thunderstorm which get more frequent.

Our favorite time is March into May,

Sum

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mastreb wrote:Hey Guys,

So the Admiral and I have decided to take the boat on a road trip next summer. We're getting a bit bored of San Diego Bay and Southern California, and have decided to spend a month with the kids somewhere else.

We're talking about hauling the boat across country to Florida and sailing amongst the keys, and I thought I'd get people's opinions. We're willing to drive to pretty much anywhere, and have gone from San Diego to Florida in the truck with the kids recently.

Anyway, for those of you who know the area, where would you put in, what would you do, and what should we expect? We'd need to store our truck and trailer for three to four weeks somewhere.

Just looking for some collective wisdom.

You might consider the San Juan Islands in Washington. Beautiful during the summer. Nearby are the Canadian Gulf Islands, which are slightly less crowded during the peak seasons. The wind shadow of Vancouver Island keeps things pretty mellow in that area.

Hey Guys,

So the Admiral and I have decided to take the boat on a road trip next summer. We're getting a bit bored of San Diego Bay and Southern California, and have decided to spend a month with the kids somewhere else.

You might consider the San Juan Islands in Washington. Beautiful during the summer. Nearby are the Canadian Gulf Islands, which are slightly less crowded during the peak seasons. The wind shadow of Vancouver Island keeps things pretty mellow in that area.

Beat me to it, my sister lives in Bellinham.

Sounds imposible, but a month goes quick, especially if there is land travel time. True relax takes a weeks not days after dropping the lines IMO. 100+ heat and humidity of south east coast is rough. With family I would heavily weigh it on expected weather.

Well, thanks for the advice. I have to admit that living in San Diego makes me completely forget about this thing called "weather". I think we would expire in heat above 80 degrees routinely. March--May is unfortunately out of the question with kids in school.

Seriously looking at the San Juans now.

Soaking in the advice...

We drug ours up to the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior this past June/July. It was beautiful weather and phenomenal sailing. Here is a short 1 minute video segment as we were beating south as close to the wind as she'd sail -- and the winds were picking up for the afternoon! I've been waiting for winter before I put together a video of the trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJU5Yge ... Icya0ETcwg


...Doug (2012 Vice Commodore & Fleet Captain, MTLSA)
Galactica
http://starsloop.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/StarSloop?feature=mhee

Another Vote for San Juans. Its amazing here/there. Lots of history at Friday Harbour, Orcas Porpoise Sea Lions, beautiful and not too hot. You can visit BWY too!

Got your passports? Come over to the Canadian side. Or visit Blaine WA for the MacGregor yachts of BC meet up! Or their Sucia Isl(US) raft up.

Just use google earth or search this site for San Juan related posts, look under Pictures from your MacGregor for SanJuan pics with Orcas.

Willy

For outstanding summer cruising, consider the North Channel of Lake Huron. Again, you would need passports. One of the most beautiful - and unspoiled - areas I've ever seen. Easily as nice as the Apostles - with lots of open, undeveloped wilderness shore line. The Trailer/Sailors Association http://www.trailersailors.org runs a cruise there every July. They have a variety of information on cruising in Canada and many photos on their web site.

Well I think we're collecting up ideas for the next few summers!

The North Channel is definitely on our 'list' too.
Consider also, if you're inclined to make such a humungeous drive, the Rideau Canal waterway, running from Kingston - Ontario, through Ottawa then down the river, on the Quebec side, to the St.Lawrence. You'll find the Canucks very amenable.
(Besides - we have better beer!)

Ross

The North Channel is on my bucket list as well!

This summer I did Kingston-Ottawa in June and then spent 8 days in the Northern Channel in August. I would recommend both places to anyone who wants to do this. They are both completely different experiences.
Bernard

Matt...I'll chime in and sell the Cape as a great venue. Better weather in summer than FL and lots of land stuff to do on day trips too. Huge Mac community who can help you bury your car and resupply etc.

See Cuttyhunk threads in Destinations for my favourite place

Agree that CHunk is a good stopover on your way up to Maine! Casco Bay / Midcoast / Penobscot Bay / DownEast ...a lot to sea and do. More water, less crowds than southern venues.

Stay tuned for the 2013 MacSailor's Maine Midsummer MmRally!...