Crysler Park to Salaberry de Valleyfield (48 NM)

Today we left Crysler Park Marina around 8am headed to Salaberry de Valleyfield. Once again the wind was very light (2 knots) so we were under power.  By 9:35 we arrived at our first of two locks for the day. The Eisenhower and Snell Locks are the two locks on the American side of the Seaway. For boats transiting and not stopping you do not need to clear into US customs. The American locks cost $30 each and you pay for the two locks at Eisenhower. They prefer exact cash. For locks on the Canadian side you can prepay with PayPal online and get a $5 discount ($25 each with the discount) and then just hand them the printed receipt.  

 

 

At each of the two American locks, you descend about 45 feet. We passed through the Eisenhower Lock with 5 power boats who were rafted up together in front of us. Unlike the Canadian locks where they pass you lines, at the American locks you tie up to floating bollards. As the only sailboat, we were attached to a bollard by ourselves.

 

The Pleasure Craft Guide for the Seaway is very helpful in explaining the light system for the locks, which side to put your fenders on and other practical information to using the locks. As the Seaway s built for cargo ships, you must wait for commercial traffic to pass through, but they do try and get pleasure boats through with no more than a three hour wait. The website www.greatlakes-seaway.com provides a pleasure boat lockage schedule and information of what commercial traffic is in the seaway at any given time.    

As we exited the Eisenhower and motored the half hour to the Snell lock we could see a thunderstorm approaching. A squall watch had been issued. We were held at the Snell lock for commercial traffic.

The five power boats and us circling slowly waiting for the lights to turn green to signal we could enter. While waiting, the thunderstorm approached with a vengeance.  Luckily for us, we only saw wind gusts of 15 knots in the protected canal between the two locks. The lockmaster at Snell later told us they had registered 40 to 50 knot gusts on the other side of the Eisenhower lock. Twice the lightening and sound of thunder was instantaneous, but the storm moved over fairly quickly. It did rain very heavy for 15 to 20 minutes. We turned on our navigation lights to ensure we were more visible to the other 5 boats circling in the small space. About an hour later we were able to lock through Snell, by which time the rain had almost completely stopped. By 12:30pm we were through the Snell Lock and headed back into Canadian waters.

The afternoon turned sunny and the wind remained light. The rest of the day was relatively uneventful except for a small plumbing issue. Around mid-afternoon, Jay was doing the dishes and the galley sink refused to drain. The calm water made it easier for him to dismantle the drain, clean out the blockage and reassemble the drain.  

By 5pm we arrived at Salaberry de Valleyfield and anchored in the harbour. We took the dinghy to shore for a few provisions. Two years ago the town also opened part of the old canal and there are docks on both sides.  We tied to the town dock and it was just a short four blocks to the grocery store. Several restaurants and shops were also within easy walking distance. Now, as the sun sets, we are enjoying the lovely fountain, lit by coloured lights, here in the bay.

 

Brockville to Crysler Park

Leaving Brockville yesterday it was immediately clear we were once again in the main shipping channel as this ship passed by as we exited the marina. We met several others during the day.

With a favourable current, we made very good time. The whole trip from Brockville to Crysler Park Marina, including a stop at the Iroquois Marina and a the Iroquois Lock only took about 5 hours for the 35NM trip. Unfortunately the 8 knot breeze was from the Northeast and so we were motoring once again.

As we left Brockville, Jay went below to make coffee and the 10lb propane tank ran out. Although we have a backup 5lb tank, we decided to get propane at the next available marina. As luck would have it, there is a narrow canal on the west side of the entrance to the Iroquois Lock which leads into a small marina. The depths in the channel are 6 to 10 feet according to the Ports book, so we ventured in. Several times I felt I could touch the trees on the bank if I reached out as we navigated this narrow passage. But we arrived safely at the small marina which offered propane, pump outs and diesel.

 

 

 

Leaving Iroquois Marine we motored back out to the main channel without incident. We arrived just as three pleasure craft were exiting the lock. We had prepaid our lock fees online ($25) and had printed the receipt while in Brockville, but we were ready to pull over to the pleasure craft dock to report and get instructions on when we could enter. However as we approached, the lockmaster turned the lights green for us to enter immediately.

The difference was only a drop of 5 inches, but you still need to draw up alongside where the lockmaster hands you lines. Life vests must be worn in the locks. Within a few minutes, we were safely through the lock and on our way again. This is the first of 7 locks we will pass through on our way back to PEI.

Small vessels do not need to pass through the lock as when the gates are open they can pass through.

 

We arrived at Crysler Park Marina early afternoon. Coin laundry is available for $1 for a wash and $1 for a dry, so we took advantage.

 

Complimentary passes for marina guests are available for Upper Canada Village so today we took the miniature train which loops between the Marina and the Village and spent several hours exploring this 1866 village. The marina staff will arrange transportation to nearby Morrisburg for provisioning if need be, but we are fully stocked. Having said that, we couldn't resist buying some cheese and homemade bread made at the Village. The flour is milled on site and the cheese is made on site. As I write this, the scent of fresh bread fills the cabin. Yum!

 



On Our Way Home

After two years in Kingston, we're finally on our way back home.

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our friends Steve, Alison, and their kids. We had just spent a few days hanging out with them in one of our favorite anchorages near Gananoque, but it was finally time to move on.

We had a work proposal to be mailed so we made our way to Brockville, where there was a Staples Outlet we could visit to print and mail the proposal. It was about 25 miles, and the weather was terrible - rain all the way, wind on our nose, and limited visibility.

We had originally planned to anchor off Brockville and dingy in, but with the rain, we decided to take a dock for the night. We arrived and hailed the Brockville Municipal Marina, but they were full. After quickly consulting the cruising books, we hailed Tunnel Bay Marina (which now seems to be Tall Ships Landing). They had a spot, so we took it.

Most marinas charge by the length of your boat, with prices usually in the $1.50 to $1.75 per foot. This place charged $2.00 per foot. This is a premium price for dockage, and the marina didn't justify that price. There were no staff. This seems to be part of a new development in the city, and their "office" is the show home for their condos. Their showers are in temporary, very industrial hut on the construction site. They wanted $20 deposit for the access key, and it's a good thing we didn't give it to them since there was no one there in the morning when we left. Top prices for a second rate marina - avoid this facility. (Finish Rant)

However, Brockville is a nice little city. We took care of our business then went to a movie at the Theatre next door. By then, the rain had stopped so it was much more pleasant. After a trip to the grocery store, we went back to the boat for supper and a quiet evening.

Since we had power, we turned on the TV for awhile. Season finale of The Bachelorette. I think I lost a few IQ points watching it. Neither of us have watched any of this show before, but somehow, we sat through the finale without changing the channel.

But this morning is much nicer, if a bit cool. Looks like pleasant day. We'll be passing through our first set of locks on the Seaway today, making for Upper Canada Marina near Morrisburg.

Rain

Sunday had been a beautiful day, but around 8pm the forecast rain and thunderstorm arrived - with a vengeance. 

We had taken our dinghy over to Alison and Steve's boat to play a final game of cards and say our goodbyes. They were on the far side of the anchorage and we passed three other sailboats on our way across. We had been aboard Worth the Waite for only about 20 minutes when we saw a wall of rain and wind come across the anchorage, hitting our boat first. I spent a few anxious moments as My Obsession disappeared completely from view within the wall of water. I nervously peered into the rain trying to assure myself that we were not dragging anchor. Of course, even if we were there was nothing I could do about it from the far side of the anchorage. The wind had picked up so much that it would be difficult to try and dinghy back. I chewed my nails and fretted for about 15 minutes while the storm raged. What a feeling of helplessness as Mother Nature toyed with us. I had been on our boat during a squall several times, but never had I watched one hit our boat from another within the anchorage. 

Thankfully, the anchor held very securely and after the storm we enjoyed our visit. When we returned later in the evening, it was only raining lightly.

This morning the rain continued and we pulled up anchor in light rain and headed east towards Brockville. We passed Singer Castle in the pouring rain and so decided to give it a pass.

Most of the day we stayed inside the enclosure out of the rain.

In a way it matches my mood. I am excited to be heading home, but I am a bit sad that a chapter is ending. 

One last visit to the Navy Islands

Our oven part arrived on Wednesday and our friend Jane was kind enough to pick it up and bring it to the ferry dock. We took the dingy from our anchorage in Beau Rivage over to meet her and get the part. Thank you again Jane! It took Jay about 45 minutes to replace the part and reassemble everything and now the oven is working as good as new.

On Thursday, we pulled up anchor and officially started moving east. Without the need to back track to Kingston, we could be on our way. Jay pulled up anchor and we headed to Gananoque to provision.

As we have often done, we anchored in front of the Thousand Islands Playhouse and took a dinghy to their dock and then walked to the nearby grocery store.

After provisioning we headed to the Navy Islands. Alison and Steve, who had been with us in Beau Rivage for two days, decided to continue a bit farther east with us. We decided we would head to the Navy Islands, another favourite anchorage, for the weekend with them.

We anchored off Stave Island and spent the weekend swimming, playing cards, exploring in the dinghy, playing with the kids and enjoying the company of good friends.

On Friday we took the two dinghies on a 5.5 NM round trip to a nearby marina for lunch, gas and a few parts for our Alison and Steve's boat. It was quite a little adventure returning as the wind had picked up a bit and there were small waves which drenched me in the dinghy.

On Saturday I took my first ride on cruising power boat with Alison and Steve when they went for water, fuel and a pump out at the same nearby marina we had visited the day before with the dinghies. It was a very different feeling on their boat then on ours as the boat cuts through the water very differently.

We were supposed to leave on Sunday, to head east, but knowing we would not have a chance to anchor with our friends for awhile, we stayed another day.

Last night (early Sunday morning), I was woken up by a thunderstorm at about 4am. It was quite the sound and light show. This morning, a woman from a nearby cottage motored out to see if we were ok. She said from where she was watching the storm it had looked to her like lightening had hit our boat twice! I don't think it actually did though as I have heard lightening hit close by before and none of the cracks seemed the same as that time. I think we would have noticed if we had been hit.

Later, we took the dinghies again and went to Mulcaster Islands (one of the islands in the National Park) for a picnic and a hike. On our return we went through Molly's Gut between Stave and Hickey Islands. We saw a pair of swans with their little ones and some beautiful lily pads.

 

It has been a wonderful last visit in the Navy Islands, but it is time to move towards home. Tomorrow, we will point our bow east.

Sights along the way

One of the great things about the Thousand Islands has been the beautiful homes on the shores of the mainland and the homes and cottages on the islands. Here are a few of my favourites.

This one is on the Bateau Channel and is one of my favourites.

 

This one is also in the Bateau Channel.

 

There are two of these small cable ferry's which link Howe Island to the mainland crossing the Bateau Channel. We always meant to take a ferry over, but never did.

 

 This neat little cottage is in the Wanderer's Channel, which leads from Beau Rivage to Gananoque past a number of very pretty islands. The Channel is a bit narrow in places, but the tour boats do take this channel.

 As we visit these now familiar sites for the last time, I admit, I am feeling a bit nostalgic. Sailing and cruising in the Thousand Islands has been wonderful. 

Sharing it with so many friends has made it that much sweeter.

A stowaway!

On Tuesday, we moved to Beau Rivage to meet up with our friends, Alison and Steve. We arrived first after a leisurely sail from Brakey Bay. It was such a lovely day I decided we should scrub the boat. We washed down the deck, scooping water from the Lake. It was hot and sunny. Afterwards, we took a dip in the Lake. The water was even warmer than the day before and felt wonderful. 

I relaxed in the sun on the bow in the afternoon and we waited for our friends to arrive. Jay rolled down the window panel in the middle section of the dodger, above the companionway, so the breeze could flow through the cockpit. 

Later when our friends arrived we took the dingy over to visit on their boat. We returned just at dark, to roll down the sides of the cockpit enclosure to keep the bugs out. As Jay went to roll back up the dodger panel, he found a snake!

He was stretched out between the traveler which is located just on the coach roof ahead of the companionway hatch and the dodger, which covers the hatch. As I had gone down the companionway he was inches from my head, but unseen behind the curled up panel.

Now, I have a phobia of birds, but my dislike of snakes is not far behind. Jay to the rescue. He scooped the snake up in an empty container I grabbed from the recycling. It was dicey for a moment when I thought Jay would actually accidentally usher him below rather than into the container, but soon it was contained. A short dinghy ride to a nearby island rid the boat of our unwelcome stowaway.

We have no idea how it came to be on board. I don't think I scooped it out of the water when washing the deck. I think I would have seen it. I also don't think it was aboard that long, as we walk on the decks all the time and would have seen it.

However, all I could think of for the rest of the night was how close the snake was to the companionway hatch and our cabin. It took everything in me not to completely tear every inch of the boat apart to make sure no other snakes had come aboard. I am keeping a sharp eye out for any other unwelcome visitors, just in case.

A quiet anchorage

Nothing beats a quiet anchorage at sunset. These were taken at Brakey Bay. Even the neighboring boat looks peaceful at night. I am sure they could hear Jay playing guitar though. He serenaded us as the sun went down and we enjoyed the view. We enjoyed the rest of weekend and I even went swimming finally.

Ice cream!

Warm days just call for ice cream. Who says you have to rough it while at anchor. Unfortunately, I think this ice cream bar was near the top of the freezer.

Stayed in Brakey Bay again today. Everyone left but us and four new boats have arrived. Jay braved the water, but I was only brave enough to put my toes in. If it is hot tomorrow I will go swimming.  

Hopefully the part for the oven will arrive this week. Soon we will have to stop lazing around in the Thousand Islands and head east.  

Portsmouth Olympic Harbour

When we left Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in June we thought it would be for the last time. However, as I had a meeting in Kingston on Thursday and we attended the wedding of friends on Friday, we once again found ourselves there.

We sailed back to Kingston on Wednesday afternoon and decided to go to Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Confederation Basin doesn’t have parking and we needed to rent a car to get to the wedding as our car was over an hour away at my brother’s.

I attended my meetings on Thursday and Jay and I took in a movie in the evening. On Friday we rented a car and did a few errands, including stocking up on water and pop as that is so much easier to transport in a car than it is walking. We also closed our post office box in Kingston, severing our last official tie.

In the afternoon, we drove to Strathmere Inn in North Gower to attend one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. It was so wonderful to be part of the bride and groom’s special day. I wish them all happiness. Today we are exhausted as we arrived back at the boat late after the wedding. And my feet are just a bit sore from all the dancing.

Unfortunately, the oven part has still not arrived, so we need to hang around the area for a few more days in the hope that it will arrive soon.

We finished a few errands, got the boat ready and headed out. Although the wind was very light, a number of small boats were out. Portsmouth Olympic Harbor is the home to Sail Canada and a number of competitions will be hosted there over the next few weeks.  

With so little wind we had to motor all the way to Brakey Bay.  We chose it as it is only a few hours away and given its size was more likely to have space on a Saturday. As I write this there are about fourteen boats in the anchorage. The winds are to forecast to remain light tonight so I am sure we will sleep well.

Powering Up

At anchor the biggest issue is power consumption. And we are self confessed power hogs. Not only does refrigeration take a lot of power, but with our tablets, computers and phones we seem to always be charging things. Especially since we are working from the boat, we need to be connected through our phones and email. The solar panels and wind generator are great - as long as there is sun and wind. But we are always monitoring the house batteries and are hyper-aware of power consumption.

Our newest purchase is a small solar panel to power phones and tablets. It folds up for storage, weighs just over 2 lbs and you plug your phone into it with a USB cable. We bought it on Amazon for $120. So far, I have used it three times and it works really well for both Jay’s Blackberry and my Samsung.  I have even used it on a day that was overcast and, although it took longer to charge, it still brought my phone and tablet up to 100% power.

Confederation Basin

Confederation Basin in Kingston is one of the two city owned and operated marinas and it is located right downtown. We arrived on Saturday and booked a berth for two nights. The busker festival was happening in the park right in front of the marina and on a couple of nearby downtown streets. Staff were friendly and helpful, and being downtown is very convenient to shops and restaurants.

Sunday didn’t bring any thunderstorms on the Ontario side of the Lake, but it certainly rained. Given that we had some work to do finishing a proposal due the next day, we were happy to be tied to a dock and able to work.

Yesterday, Monday, brought sunshine again. We borrowed a friend’s car to drive to West Marine to pick up a joker valve for the head (toilet) which had started leaking on the weekend. This is a one way valve from the head to the holding tank. Let’s just say it is a really important part in the plumbing system. Nothing was in danger of overflowing as seepage was just slowly back flowing from the hose leading to the tank, but it still was unpleasant to have to pump it dry again every few hours. After installing the part, mailing the proposal we had been working on and getting a few groceries, we pushed off dock again. Unfortunately the part we had ordered for our oven has not arrived yet. We will be back in Kingston later this week for a meeting and a wedding so hopefully it will arrive in the next few days.

When we left Confederation Basin, we tried to anchor at Beau Rivage, but when we arrived it was quite full.  We have gotten a bit spoiled this summer as we have often had lots of room in the anchorages, so we pushed on to Brakey Bay. There were only two other boats in the large bay when we arrived. We have seen as many as twenty boats in Brakey Bay.

This morning it was raining and the other two boats left early. The sun has now come out and we have the bay completely to ourselves. Another beautiful day in the Thousand Islands.

White Bay and Sackets Harbor

After Cape Vincent and a rough night tied to dock, we made our way to White Bay in Henderson Bay, NY. We had this lovely Bay to ourselves except for the odd powerboat during the day with waterskiers. An older gentleman motored by at one point close enough to call over and welcome us to the Bay.  He motored around our stern to read our home port and then asked where PEI was. After a short conversation he told us to feel free to stay as long as we liked and to enjoy ourselves and then he motored away.   We spent two nights there, well protected from the weather and enjoying peace and relaxation and doing a bit of work. One of the benefits of being self employed is that as long as you have a laptop you have your work with you.  Working in the cockpit beats sitting in an office any day. 

On Friday, July 11th we made our way to Sackets Harbor, New York, a pretty little town which had strategic importance during the War of 1812. Navy Marine is a full service marina, so after a pumpout, diesel fill and water top up, we took a berth for the night.

We took a walk into town for a late lunch and visited the Tin Pan Galley. We sat in their lovely patio and had a wonderful lunch. Their spinach dip is amazing.

After lunch we walked over to the grocery store and then it was back to the boat for laundry. That evening we walked up to the theatre to catch a stand up comedy show which was very entertaining.

The next day we met some friends from Kingston, who camp near Sackets Harbor, and went for a sail. The wind was light but we had a nice sail for a few hours. Early afternoon we dropped them off at the marina and headed back across the Lake. Although we had really wanted to stay a few days longer, we had to be back in Kingston for Monday and Sunday was calling for thunderstorms and heavy rain. At least we did get to visit the New York side which has been on our bucket list since arriving in Kingston.

Mr.& Mrs. Wood & Patsy Green

While visiting the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY we came across this display about a couple from New York who voyaged by small canoe 900 miles from New York to Prince Edward Island over the summers of 1907 and 1908. Henry and Elizabeth Wood averaged 35 miles a day and stayed ashore either camping or in private homes. Their vessel was the Patsy Green which they had specifically modified so they could paddle it on the ocean. It did have two small sails to augment their paddling.  Henry was a founder of the Cruising Club of America. What an adventure that must have been.

Sleeping in a washing machine

On Tuesday this week, we left Clayton and decided to head to Cape Vincent NY. There was a squall watch in effect for that evening and so we thought we would move on as we were fairly exposed on the municipal pier in Clayton. Cape Vincent is about 13NM from Clayton and a ferry from Wolfe Island runs seasonally to this small village. There was about 15-20 knots of wind right on our nose the whole way so we motored.

The waterfront in Cape Vincent is protected by a 1300' breakwater and as we passed behind the breakwater the wind eased to less than 10 knots and the water was calm. What a picturesque site greeted us. Several homes with docks lined the waterfront. One small power boat was on a mooring ball within the breakwater and several other boats were tied up to either the public village pier or the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) pier.

It was mid afternoon so we thought we would refill our diesel. Although several of the cruising guides indicate there is diesel available at Anchor Marine, when we pulled up and docked at the fuel dock, the office was closed and locked and no one was anywhere about. Deciding to find a spot for the night and see what we could learn about available diesel, we shoved off again. Our choices were to anchor inside the breakwater, which was listed as a fair weather anchorage, the town dock or DEC pier, both of which offer free dockage.

With the forecast thunderstorm and squall watch, we immediately dismissed the anchorage. The space available between two power boats already on the town dock seemed too short for My Obsession and there were no facilities. The guidebooks had mentioned the DEC pier location had bathroom facilities during the hours of 8am and 4pm and a small Aquarium to visit. Two sailboats were tied to the more protected east side of the DEC dock already and a third was on the west side. We watched as this sailboat was warped around so it was bow out and then we called over to see if there was room in front of them. There was. Unfortunately there was another private dock to our starboard which stuck out far enough that coming about and docking starboard side in was not really possible for our boat. The small sailboat in front of us had barely cleared the dock when it warped around. So, we docked bow in. This turned out to be a bad decision.

We chatted briefly with the couples from the other sailboats who seemed to all be from Collins Bay. Then we went ashore and explored Cape Vincent. Although smaller than Clayton it offers groceries, a Laundromat, gas station, a few small shops and restaurants. We also explored the small aquarium located in the basement of the DEC building located immediately in front of the DEC pier. The building is a imposing five story stone building which was originally built as a mill.

It was hot and sticky and after supper we sat in the cockpit reading. Around 7 it began to rain and there was a thunderstorm which cooled the air. Then the wind picked up and shifted so it was coming in between the end of the breakwater and land. Small waves picked up and began hitting us on our rear starboard quarter. The boat started pitching and bouncing. The wind increased to about 20-25 knots sustained and it was pressing My Obsession hard against the dock.

As darkness set in, the motion of the boat only worsened. Luckily neither Jay not I are prone to seasickness. It was, however, hard to move around down below the boat was bouncing so much. I have never been in the boat when it was hobby horsing and rolling and pitching so badly and tied to a dock. And it kept up all night. It was like trying to sleep in a washing machine.

The two sailboats on the west side were also bouncing as the waves would hit the shore and rebound, but they were not moving as much as we were. Unfortunately for the couple in the sailboat tied up in front of us, they were bouncing even more than us. Their boat was shorter and lighter and was pitching worse than a bucking bronco. I felt very bad for them as I knew it had to be even more uncomfortable for them than it was for us.

We had all 5 fenders out and extra lines so My Obsession fared fine. Better than us in fact. We slept fitfully. As we sleep with our heads on the port side, the noise of the lines creaking reverberated loudly in our ears. We were out on deck with flashlights three times during the night to reposition fenders and check lines. We did get a few hours sleep, but not many. To make matters worse, the DEC building imposing by day, looked ominous at night with red lights glowing from the windows. Logic tells me that the red lights were likely from exit signs in this public building, but in the night with the wind howling, the wind turbine shrieking, the lines creaking and the boat rigging moaning, my imagination was conjuring something decidedly more evil.

At 7am when I woke up I looked out to see the couple in the boat in front of us shoving off. We exchanged a few words and it was clear they had spent a horrid night aboard. They moved over to the town pier which was better protected. I noted that they just fit into the open spot between the two power boats. I felt better knowing we couldn't have fit there even if we had wanted to. 

Although the wind had eased, and so had the motion of the boat, Cape Vincent had lost its charm. It was time to move on. I was ready for a quiet anchorage and a good nap. 

Clayton NY and the Antique Boat Museum

Clayton NY was our first stop when we entered the US on Sunday. We tied up to the Municipal Pier for two nights. There were bathrooms and showers and power available. You can tie up to the municipal pier for four hours for free and the overnight charge is very reasonable. We saw several people arrive by boat from one of the nearby islands and wander into town for a few hours and then return with a doggie bag of leftovers. Groceries, shops and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of the town docks.

We had considered anchoring, but the bay was not very protected from the wind. It meant things were a bit bouncy on the pier during the day as we were exposed to the wind and the wakes of passing boats, but the wind died down in the evening and we had a comfortable night’s sleep both nights. 

There was a bit of drama on Sunday afternoon as two ambulances arrived at the pier and the fire rescue boat and a police boat pulled up. A power boat had hit a rock off Clayton and began sinking. Luckily the four people on board were all safe. It does remind one how quickly a fun afternoon on the water can turn dangerous.

There was a lot of rain on Monday morning so we stayed in the cockpit and read our books. Later in the day we went out for lunch, picked up some provisions from the grocery store we had scouted out the day before and dropped by Scoops for some yummy ice cream.  

On Tuesday morning we visited the Antique Boat Museum. This is a great museum located right beside the municipal pier. They have a large selection of boats on display. The highlight was “La duchesse”, a house boat originally built as a summer home for George Boldt, of Boldt Castle fame. The boat had sunk in its berth at the end of the war and the first floor was submerged for four months. The boat was salvaged and restored by Mr. McNally of Rand McNally fame and he used it as his summer home until his death in 2005.

For a wooden boat that is 100 years old it is in remarkable shape. The interior is almost all mahogany and absolutely beautiful.  It has several guest rooms downstairs and bathrooms with claw foot tubs, several rooms for servants quarters, a dining room, large kitchen, and upstairs a master suite, parlour, office and outdoor patio. Several of the ceilings had gold leaf decoration. There is a lovely Steinway piano aboard and a lovely antique pewter collection.  

The boat has never had a motor and has always been towed from location to location. Standing on the deck you could almost imagine the boat filled with visitors and Mr. Boldt or Mr. McNally holding court.