North Channel mini cruise

[Frank]

Just back from a week in the NE North Channel with a bunch of fellow boat nuts.
I must say, what a pleasant surprise to see the activity on this forum!
Nice to see new members posting....as well as some older too.
Sorry to hear of your illness Rorik. The good news is you live with the finest cruising grounds in the world at your doorstep. Hope you get well enough to get out soon.

Anyhoot....was awesome to meet up with a bunch of small boat folks. All "boat crazy", most have several boats on the go from useable to "projects". Kurt, we are not alone 😄
We were treated to great weather and good scenery. Some days were awesome sailing, some fluky winds and others were motoring all day through rocky channels.
Fun stuff. Makes you realize how simple boat fun can be!

[Frank]

The little craft were as varied as the captains.
From small, super low budget home builds to fine 18ft double ender's, everyone had a hoot.

[lance on cloud nine]

thank you Frank for the report! looks great and is on my "to do list"

[Frank]

If you go....try to do it before school is out or just after it resumes.
Far fewer boats out! Since the majority are power...far less waves.
Truly beautiful area and even better in fall with leaves changing...albeit cooler.

[Frank]

Lance
Here's a picture from an earlier cruise up there.... I think in 06
Was near the Benjamin's. Very pretty cruising grounds!

[CapnK]

That is some pretty area. Betcha gotta be careful about shoals though because they are all rock lol.

What's the story on this lil boat? Is that a sail on the side deck?

[Frank]

Started out as a very old weekender sail boat
Cut the bow down, cut the cabin and most of the cockpit out and put the box cabin on. Powered by a 2-1/2hp Yamaha 4 stroke, he cruises just past idle at 4 knots. He did the entire Trent-Severn waterway for $30.50 in fuel! (About $22 American)
Note the 2 brackets at the front port side of cabin. The down wind sail is sprit rigged and about 40" x 60". He reports it works well on a reach too.

[CapnK]

Ballpark math, based on that he could do the entire Great Loop for under $450 in fuel, in about 160 8 hour days lol  ;D 8)

I kinda thought that was a sailing rig there. Neat.

[CapnK]

Thta makes me look at the US18 and go "Hmmm..." ;D

Sometimes it almost frightens me how much I can understand Robert Manry's line of reasoning... ;)

[Frank]

One of the days on our cruise while motor sailing , he got 2hrs-15mins on the .9 litre tank! The sail truly helps and is so easy to set or take down.
He's a PHD that walked away and chose "simplicity"
Love the folks ya meet out!!
So...
Yep...
Your 18 would make an awesome looper! 🤣