Tracking.
Just picked up a '96 Four Winns 245 Sundowner. Still haven’t put it in the water yet. Too busy. Will likely dock it up in Wilson, but pull it down to Tonawanda creek a couple of times…hopefully.
Great snorkeling from Sherkston pretty much all the way to the Peace Bridge. The old wreck off Sherkston is one of my favorite places to snorkel.
If you’re looking for a crowd the big hangout spot is grass island near the N. Grand Island bridge.
West river if you want to escape the crowds because Ontario’s incredibly strict open container laws scare the idiots away from that part of the river.
West river is my go to place for watersports because with the lack of boats and prevailing SW winds blowing off of the shore you can always find calm water somewhere on the Canadian side between Beaver Island and Niagara Falls.
Cruise up the canal in Tonawanda and see what’s going on at Gateway Harbor. http://www.ci.tonawanda.ny.us/gateway.htm
Bass fishing is always pretty good offshore near the Ford plant on Lake Erie.
Thanks Jay!
Anyone else?
Forgot to mention canalside in Buffalo. Lots going on there all the time and nice transient docking. We cruised over tonight and listened to the concert from the water for a bit.
West river:
Being a licensed captain I’m sure you have good charts and know the hazards in WNY. For others here’s a top 3 list:
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Shoals off Beaver Island State Park. Stay FAR offshore here.
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Sand bars between Strawberry and Motorboat islands. Tons of spots between those two that are barely knee deep.
And WNY’s #1 with a vengeance, responsible for on average one sinking a year by my count… The rocky reefs between the Peace Bridge and Buffalo harbor. If you don’t know EXACTLY where they are just follow the channel markers as you go under the bridge, go out into the lake past the round house, then turn left going past the round house to get to Buffalo harbor. I know how cut between them but I won’t even try to explain how because that area is so dangerous.
^ I remember the reefs by the Peace Bridge getting my parents when I was a little kid, scary stuff with the current there, luckily it only caught the prop and the outdrive…
I just found out I can get a boat slip for a very reasonable price through my new job. I guess it has a 21ft limit, so I’m looking for suggestions on a 21ft cuddy.
We were out there last night sailing, thanks for posting that chart @JayS - we never get close to the round house but it’s good to know what’s around there :tup:
We also went to Canal Side last night for a little.
Thanks for the input guys… Nice job with the chart Jay. I’ve seen so many people out in that area that have no idea where they are, or that they’re actually in danger.
Should be splashing the boat Sunday for the first time this year. Just bolted a new Edelbrock 1409 on it, I’m anxious to see how she runs with it
Took the boat to the canalside fireworks last night and took the shortcut between the two reefs on the way there. On the way back it was dark so we took the longer route around the round house. I did see two boats shoot the gap in the dark so either they’re better at navigating in the dark than me or they’re real lucky.
They might have also had GPS onboard to navigate through there - I know most GPS nowadays track your route so they could have just followed the way they came to a tee
I used the simple charts app for my iphone to navigate through the reef areas day or night.
Is that charts app available for Android? I have a really nice GPS on the boat, but a backup sure can’t hurt
And Jay, when you “shoot the gap” between the reefs, what have you seen for a minimum water depth? My boat draws 3 1/2’ and I’m concerned about some uncharted obstruction somewhere. Also, what do you use for a steering mark to get through there? I looked at it on the chart, and it looks like if you range up the main breakwall with Donnelly’s breakwall, that would keep you on a straight shot right through where you need to be…
I head out following the channel until I’m almost to the green can then head straight for the north breakwall. Once I’m about half way there I steer back out toward the lake a little to give myself room around Horseshoe Reef. I’ve seen around 6’ through there but never less than that. Next calm day I’m out I’m going to explore Horseshoe Reef a little bit and figure out how to pass on the Buffalo side of it.
Any of you guys interested in setting up a flotilla on the lake? I have a friend with a sail boat and a few more friends with boats. Maybe we pick a day and location on the lake a meet up? Maybe near one of the ship wrecks? I’m sure the PWC crew would come too.
I’m up for this. Still waiting for boat reg stuff, so waverunner most likely right now.
Grass Island, Rats, Woodlawn, Sunset
Wish you lived here, my boat gave me hell this past weekend…
effin boats
Jay hit the nail on the head.
Also, if anyone needs charts I have Buffalo Harbor and Upper Niagara in pdf.
Lastly, east river isn’t always that bad.
You just have to get there at dawn:
^ That’s a gorgeous shot. I miss the days when I used to ski at sunrise like that on the St Lawrence up in Quebec.
Sunset wakeboarding isn’t bad though either:
View and download all the charts you want right here:
http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/NOAAChartViewer.html
My favorites:
Buffalo to Niagara Falls: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14832.shtml
Buffalo Harbor: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14833.shtml
Buffalo to Erie: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14838.shtml
Lower Niagara River (includes Niagara Bar): http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14816.shtml
Lake Ontario (area around Niagara River): http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/14806.shtml
And finally the main map to look up chart numbers: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/Catalogs/greatlakes_chartside.shtml
I have a printed and framed version of the charts for Buffalo Harbor and St Lawrence River where I grew up that I plan to hang in the library section of my downstairs remodel when it’s done.
Someplace actually on the lake I’m thinking. And a sailboat isn’t making it to grass island 