WanderlustandWhimSea

The crossing west across Lake Erie is ending up more like a delivery run with all miles and little fun. Departed the docks this morning at 0531. It’s mostly because I’m trying to hit a good weather window. So the run Buffalo to Erie 70+ miles, Erie to Geneva on the Lake 50+, Geneva to… Continue reading 10 Hours in the Saddle

Good news on the repair for my intermittent starting problem. It ended up being a relay. That’s the part between the ignition switch and the starter and it was only a $30 part. In boat dollars that’s free. I received amazing service from Fernandi as the President of the Company was personally installing the part… Continue reading Erie Part Two

After the 4 mile days on the Erie Canal it’s a bit of a shock to be on the big water for a 70+ mile day. It will be WhimSea’s longest day underway since I’ve owned her. Why you might ask? It’s all to avoid the dangerous dockage at Dunkirk. Oddly enough,it’s also a good… Continue reading The Longest Day

Although only 20 miles from Niagara Falls, I had no plans to take a $25 Uber ride to get there. I was settled in for the night, reading on my IPad, when there was a knock on my door, “Captain Barb are you in there?” Surprise, it was a couple that had toured WhimSea earlier… Continue reading A Surprise Trip to Niagara Falls

Poof – everybody leaves after Labor Day. It’s an interesting boating phenomenon in the Great Lakes but Labor Day is the last real boating of the season. As I stop at ever public cleat west bound, I am often the only boat in port when just a few weeks ago we were all clamoring for… Continue reading Everybody Leaves After Labor Day

I’m usually taking fun pictures of WhimSea from the outside but thought some of you might like to see the inside. A decoder for land lubbers: Salon = Living Room, Galley = Kitchen, Head = Bathroom/Toilet, V Berth = Bedroom, Pilot House = Pilot House When I bought the boat it had 30 year old… Continue reading A Tour of WhimSea

You know those cute canal boats? Well unfortunately they come with inexperienced boaters. I was sitting on the aft deck when the Onondaga left the dock at ramming speed. The boater claimed the boat was “stuck in neutral” – only problem with that theory is you don’t go very fast in neutral. The good news… Continue reading Ramming Speed

Well I did a u-turn and started west. There is a world of difference with my westward trip as I’m definitely moseying. First day 4 NM, next day a whopping 3 and today 16, but only because there was no place to stop. You may wonder what makes a good stop. Pittsford Is a great… Continue reading Westward Ho

For those of you who know me well, I’m a tad goal oriented. Stop laughing about the “tad” part. My second goal for this trip was making it to Burlington, VT. The Notice to Mariners with some locks not opening till 3 Sept made the decision clear, that going further east was a no go.… Continue reading Know When To Fold ‘EM

I’ve always said this trip would require lots of flexibility and plans A through Z. The remnants of Hurricane Fred hit upstate New York and it rained for 48 hours. As I was underway yesterday, I received a “Notice to Mariners” that Locks 24 – 28B were closed due to high water. I just passed… Continue reading Fairport = Flexibility + Fred