There is also an interesting and relatively protected cruise along the Ontario shore from Kingston to Gananonque.
Once again your starting point for this trip is Point Frederick Shoal,close aboardthe KH2 marker.From hereyou will head roughly east in good water making your way past the light on Cedar Island to marker H43,marking Bayfield Shoal.
Cedar Island, a St.Lawrence Islands National Park island,can be passed on either side.
Skirt well north of Bayfield Shoal,passing close aboard Milton Island.Be careful not to be fooled by The Spectacles marker,which is marking the route for the Canadian Middle Channel.Just pass well enough north of The Spectacles to avoid the extensive shoal.
The channel narrows as you pass Treasure Island,where Treasure Island Marina is tucked on the west side.There is a restaurant here, but no services.
Watch for Cassidy Shoal on your starboard as you enter the Bateaux Channel,which is well protected from prevailing winds and offers a pleasant cruise to Gananoque.
On your port side is the mainland and on your starboard is Howe Island.Just ahead is the first of two cable ferries you will encounter on this route.
The ferry is attached to a cable that rises to the mechanism in the boat.Ahead and astern of the ferry,this cable remains close to the surface.Be sure to give the ferry a wide berth.It operates on a set schedule except in an emergency so don’t be surprised if it starts to move even when you are close to it. Your best bet is to remain in the centre of the channel so you have room to maneouver.
The channel is well-marked,although it is narrow at spots.Be cautious passing exposed docks and the one private yacht club on this stretch.Obey speed limit rules and wake wash rules.
The river widens after Firmans Point, but is quite shallow and weedy. The channel swings to port before turning back to starboard in a wide sweeping arc,so it can be difficult to pick out the next green marker J117 against the shoreline in the distance.
As you approach Bishops Point watch out for the second,smaller cable ferry and be prepared for a confusing section of markers and traffic.
Marker JVB marks Anchor Shoal,which sits in the middle of this junction,just past the ferry.You will be travelling to port,but be sure to pass between the red Marker J18 and the Green Light Tower. From here you can follow the channel into Gananoque.
The route through Wanderer’s Channel is another option for those who wish to see more of the islands.
Instead of turning to port at Anchor Shoal,turn to starboard and watch for the green Markers JH1 and JH3.Between them turn to port again and follow along the shore of Bostwick Island.
Keep an eye on your chart to remain in the best water.Water depth throughout these islands is generally good,but there are areas where you will run aground if you are not careful.
From Bostwick Island,the channel runs between Lindsay Island and Sagistawika Island and then heads to McDonald Island.
Here it hugs the shore close to the chain of small islands south of McDonald Island with shoals easily visible.
It narrows further as it passes Burnt Island and the sight of the rocky bottom all around you can be unnerving,but thereis good depth in the middle under your boat.
As you pass byWhite Calf Islands,you will see Gananoque to your port and you can rejoin the channel.Swing wide around White Calf Islands to avoid shallows and weeds.