Kingston, Ontario

KYC

July 12-14, 2015

We leave the wall around 7:00 because we need to make the 8:00 opening of the LaSalle Causeway Bascule bridge in Kingston.  As we approach the bridge, we see another boat waiting.  We are still a bit from the bridge and if we continue doing our 6 kts., we will definitely have to wait until the 9:00 opening.  Dave actually pushes the boat up to almost 10 kts. and we pass under the bridge into Kingston.  We are once again on the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Along the way, we have been researching marinas where we can get a slip for the night to make repairs.  We see the Kingston Yacht Club and consult Active Captain, a data base we use for information, and discover that KYC sometimes has transient slips available.  As we approach the Club, we notice that its slips are dominated by sailboats. After all,  Kingston is considered to be the freshwater sailing capital of Canada. We make our way to the fuel dock.  The dock hand, Kelsey, is excellent.  She helps us dock, does our pump out, and fills our water tanks.  We ask if there is space available.  There is one slip left that will accommodate our boat.  We mention that we are members of Maryland Yacht Club in the states and we receive a free night's docking as part of its reciprocity program.  KYC is a very old club.  It was established in 1896.  It has a clubhouse with a lot of character and everyone that we meet, employees and Club members alike, is friendly and helpful.

Sailboats, sailboats, sailboats

After we are settled at the dock, we walk into the city of Kingston.  We have arrived in the city just in time to experience the Buskers Rendezvous.  This is an annual event which takes place in July.  There are more than 100 street performers, which include musicians, magicians, jugglers, mimes, and acrobats.  We stop and watch and are thoroughly entertained.

Street Performers

No safety nets

Very Entertaining

We stop at a few shops along the way and then follow the water back to the Yacht Club.

Along the street in downtown Kingston

Since KYC has given us a slip for the night, we support them by having dinner in the Clubhouse.  It is very good.  Earlier, Dave and I met Peter and Zee.  They are Club members and Peter recommended someone who might be able to look at the boat.  However, Dave decides that he will tackle the repairs tomorrow himself.

Monday morning we awake to a beautiful day.  Yesterday, we also met Allison and Craig who are passing through Kingston on their way to the Thousands Islands.  She is very impressed with "At Last" and has lots of questions about trawlers.  We spend some time in the morning chatting with her and then Dave decides to tackle the repairs.  He makes quick work of adjusting the "stuffing box" and then it's on to trouble shooting the bilge pump problem.  He diagnoses it as a bad switch within the panel and gets it to work manually until he can order a new switch.  Problem solved!  KYC is very active today.  It is involved in sailing instruction for kids of all ages.  The little ones are adorable.  I watch as they swim between the docks as their instructors evaluate their abilities.  There are sailboats everywhere throughout the day.  It is a very hot day and by afternoon, we decide to take a swim.  Although the water is much colder than in Maryland, it is refreshing and easy to get used to.  Don't forget it is fresh water and it is clean and crystal clear.  It is a bit late to leave today, so we decide to spend another night. The weather forecast for tomorrow is not good…..rainy and windy with thunder showers.

In the morning, we wake to a gray, rainy day.  That does not stop the sail camp kids.  They are out there in full force.  Because of the weather, we ask if we can stay another night and are allowed to do so.  In the afternoon, the weather improves and the sun comes out. We join Peter, Zee, Buzz (their dog) and another couple for cocktails under the canopy at the Club house.  It is a delightful evening filled with wonderful stories of Peter's and Zee's journeys and adventures.

The weather forecast for Wednesday is high winds and I am concerned it might make for a bumpy ride. I head to bed hoping the meteorologists are wrong.

Sail campers preparing for their swim

View from KYC