1,000 Island's

[MAXXIE]

Has anyone here ever been boating in the 1,000 Island's? I was there about 7 or 8 years on a vacation & we went on a tour boat & the entire time I thought this would be a cool place to bring my own boat if I ever had one. Well now I have one, it's a small bowrider, & would like to go. What is a "safe size" boat to take in this area? Any info anyone has on this area would be great, & a few pictures would be even better. Thanks, MAXX

 

[Tig]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Google earth will have pictures. Check it out.
16' is fine for the islands. Some areas are pretty open and the wind can make it rough, but there are a 1000 islands to hide behind.
It's a busy place in summer. Large cruisers on soft plane can throw very large wakes. If you are anywhere near the main channel freighters throw enormous wakes. I left a small boat unattended on a beach in the St Lawrence and came back to find a freighter wake trying to wash it up high and dry.
http://www.1000islandsgananoque.ca/

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Thanks Tig, I was beginning to think no one from this site has ever been there, I guess no body felt like typing a reply. Anyway thanks, I'll go back & check out that link. I think the wife would have a heart attack in those kinds of wakes, she's more of a 5mph sight see'er kind of boater. Thanks for the advice. MAXX

 

[Flying Sushi]

Re: 1,000 Island's

During summer months you are ok with Bowrider less than 20? on weekdays. However, It can be a little intimidated place in Alexandria Bay area on weekends. You would quickly realize that you are surrounded by sport boats longer than 22? and cruisers. Swells generated by large cruiser makes unpleasant experience in busy area still you can find 1000 of great place to boat even with a small boat as long as you keep eyes on weather change and other boaters. It is a great place to boat. GPS and chartplotter is a must since there are many shoals around. Take a look some picture from other thread

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=408279

See you on water

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1,000 Island's

The first thing for a stranger is charts.There are lots of shoals,most well marked
I would suggest one of the state parks Wellsley Island state park faces
the canadian channel not as forboding as the american channel and lots of
little channels and islands cottages to see.You can get to bolt castle without
having to go too much in the American channel.
I believe Canoe Point on grindstone Island has camping you have to get there by boat you could launch at Wellesley Island park.You could explore the Canadian side and Eel bay picton granite Quarry up river to Clayton As stated lots of islands
and protected channels to boat quietly in.More to come.

 

[insanity]

Re: 1,000 Island's

I boat there about every weekend since I got my boat to NY. As mentioned a GPS chart plotter is a great tool to have. The shoals will sneak up on you quick. I put in at Westcott Beach, nice clean place $8 park fee but its worth it to me for the few boats that are put in there. It is a little shallow coming out of the launch though. I have not camped there yet but the camp grounds are nice. With a dump for RVs with a permit I be leave.

http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/90/details.aspx

 

[eastont]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Which part of the 1000 island do you want to see? There are 100's of places to launch a small boat and that could decide where you want to boat.

As mentioned, Alexandria Bay can be a zoo on the weekends. But during the week it's not busy at all. There are many islands owned by Parks Canada that are great to spend time on, very natural settings. All of them have outhouses, and they are the cleanest to be found anywhere.
Check this site out http://www.1000islandsinfo.com/

It should help you a lot.

 

[rndn]

Re: 1,000 Island's

GPS with chartplotter is a must. Many shoals are marked but some are not.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Well, reading over these reply's leads me to believe it may be a little much for my boat & skills. I think I'll hold off for a while & wait until I trade up on a larger boat, hope to be next season. The wife gets nervous on the lakes I go to now, don't think she will do too well up there. It will definitely be in the works for next year, I just think that having my own boat & be able to explore at will would be really cool up there. Thanks for the comments & links. MAXX

 

[Tig]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Sorry that we scared you off. The islands are a great place to boat. All the navigation tips are valid but keep in mind it's been a great place to boat since long before electronics. I boated there in 14' boats in the 80s many times with at most a chart for reference. Even then it's not like the chart is open all the time as you ***** foot around. We would spend the week camping on Camelot or other islands. (no camping on Camelot any more) We would tour around and sight see during the day. Never had a problem beyond one day it got rough and the ladies were not impressed with getting soaked on the ride home.
I've seen charts for the seaway online from a US source. They are the same charts that I bought years back in Canada.
The other day the Admiral was talking about a return trip in our 15 footer. It's a 100 miles by water but if planed right, it would be a fun trip. I'd pick early September hoping that it would be more peaceful.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Ahhh, Still kick'n the idea around. I'm not scared off or anything like that, just the fact that the wife would be a nervous wreck the whole time. Maybe just the boy & myself and do a little camping somewhere. Thanks for the info links very good information to go on.

 

[dirtdiver]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Keewaydin, is a great park, theres camping a pool and an excellent marina. I have a 20ft cuddy and havent had a problem up there. It really is a beautiful place. This is my first boat and the 1000s was the first place I boated on my own.

 

[classicevinrude]

Re: 1,000 Island's

I boat the River every weekend. My main boat up until two weekends ago was a 1959 Glastron 15ft powered by a 1957 Evinrude 35hp. Now I have a 16ft Starcraft aluminum (1974) and we have a 14ft aluminum boat. These are our boats. When it gets real rough in the afternoon we keep a bit closer to shore. You should be ok if you check your charts and keep an eye on the depth. We are in Clayton and love it! Best of luck!

 

[insanity]

Re: 1,000 Island's

Clayton is a nice little town. Which reminds me I need to head over to don's and pick up my prop.