Thanks again! PNW fog is a bit different often the demarc line is right
where the surf hits the coast. I did look at the water levels and have to
match my 3'7" draft. From what I've read andbeen told so far that section
is 'iffy.' But it's best to ask those who have been there. Add in your
weather info and the lobster incentive and it sure makes the St. Lawrence
and coast route very attractive. I checked my charts of the area and pilot
books and am amazed at the number of harbors. On the PNW coast they run
about 40 to 100 miles apart and many are high tide, fair condition bar
crossings. I get the feeling I'm going to thoroughly enjoy the North East!
And yes I do have radar. Fixed it to swing out and around so I can view the
screen from cockpit.

M.

"Jeff Morris" wrote in message
...
If you're thinking Erie Canal you might want to check out our first trip
in
Loki:
http://www.sv-loki.com/Delivery/delivery.html

Also, check water levels on the Canal - I've heard of boats being stuck
for
weeks because either low or high water shut it down with little notice.

BTW, the fog in Maine isn't really that bad if you have radar and know how
to
use it. It is a fixture in the mornings, but usually burns off. Also, it
settles in a zone depending on water temps, so some years it politely
stays 5
miles offshore, other years it comes closer in. I remember the first time
I
took my wife to Jewell Island - we were fogged in for 4 days. When we
finally
escaped, we learned that about a mile inshore from Jewell it had been
clear most
of the time!

My migratory friends usually stay in Maine well into September. Last year
we
visited them in Kittery Sept 26. Their timing south depends on how active
the
hurricane season is. However, they have two diesel heaters on board, and
usually just try to stay ahead of the frost. The other approach is to
dash down
NJ in August to be in the Chesapeake around Labor Day. Last year,
however, this
would not have worked too well!

In general, the big hurricanes don't bother Maine too much, and there's
certainly lots of hurricane holes. There are always exceptions - I think
it was
'78 or '79 that Hurricane David blew by Boston as a small gale and then
gained
strength in Nova Scotia. But for the most part, Sept is nice in Maine
because
the fog has dried up some, and you get more NW wind than in the Summer.

My wife is the Lobsta expert - she won't touch them until we get well into
Maine. The restaurant in Kittery was asking about $25 for a 1.5 pounder,
but
further up in Freeport at the Pound is was a flat $10 a pound. She claims
the
best she ever had was in Frenchboro, Long Island (pop 37), about 5 miles
south
of Mt. Desert. We went into Lunt Harbor, took a mooring from Lunt & Lunt
Marine, radioed our order into Lunt Restaurant. When we went ashore they
apologized for not having any 2 pounders, so they gave her a 2.5 pounder
for
$15.


"Michael" wrote in message
...
Thanks! I've been flipping coins on the route after the Great Lakes.
Your
excellent report solved the issue. If it's unseasnably foggy, rainy,
cold
take the inland route through NY. If it's unseasonably warm and clear
take
the St. Lawrence all the way down and hang a right down the coast. If
it's
. . . . Seriously, I appreciate your wellwritten report and it surely
helped a lot in my own plans. Once I check the inland routes for mast
lowering requirements, if any, I'm thinking of killing some time up
North
and outlastingthe hurricane season by doing the Erie to the lakes then
back
up to the St. Lawrence and so on . . . .tothe coast and down. As you
just
got back and prior to the impending storm season can you comment on how
late
in the summer it's considered OK to be off Nova Scotia and Maine. On
the
Oregon/Washington coast the rule of thumbis don't start south later
than
Labor Day. Also . . . . . .where'sthe best sourcefor thosegreat
lobsters!!!! Out west we often make adeal with the fishingboats.

Michael