Distance Calculator Dreams

[Ted Hoppe]

I am seriously considering doing the Chicago to Mackinaw race next year as well as the Opera cup and/or other classic boat races if my boat Lively Lady does sell after the Master Mariners Regatta.
The idea would be to send the boat to Chicago, Michigan or Cleveland when the window opens up. I am going to be on strict budget but considering the current costs of the slip fees - it might work.

I will need help securing a winter storage off the Great lakes late this summer. I have already begun inquires and have good friends already helping me.

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These dreams mean I have and be skipper of one of the first wooden boats to race to win both Master Mariners and Opera cup as well would mean she will be 3000 miles closer to sailing in Europe in the years to come. Not to mention cruising some of the Great Lakes, Montreal, Lake Champlain, down the Canal system to New York, maybe make Mystic on my own boat, do the New England coast and down towards Norfolk where my son is stationed.

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

[stromborg]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

You have some good dreams Ted. Not much I can do for you from up here in the PNW but i sure would like to see you pull this one off!

[Hugh MacD]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

Sounds like vary worthy ambitions to me Gopher it!

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

You have some good dreams Ted. Not much I can do for you from up here in the PNW but i sure would like to see you pull this one off!

I started out last week thinking I could send her up to Port Townsend via truck and was calculating the costs; making inquires. Although it would be cheaper to truck her to your home waters my storage and launch would be bunch more there. Racing in the Swiftsure would be terrific as would PNW island hoping would mark me a very fortunate skipper.

Both pull on my day dreams - I could see me cruising and racing in the warmer Erie in summer, a cruise down the canal to NYC, making Mystic on my own bottom and racing among classics in Maine on my own boat - all sounds quite completing.

[Woxbox]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

That's one fine plan. Take us along virtually if you can!

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

More to ponder - Borrowing from Todd's excellent boat tent thread... The boat as the mother ship to camping activities. Cots and tents would be most civilized.

Camping along the Canalway Trail

https://www.canals.ny.gov/trails/camping.html

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Coming down from Montreal; unstepping the mast at Whitehall and stepping at Troy.

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[bamamick]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

That sounds incredible, Ted. I would be a nervous wreck even trying to work out the logistics of it all. I salute you, sir!

Mickey Lake

[johngsandusky]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

I like it!
If you do pass through Long Island Sound, you can raft up with my boat in Mount Sinai Harbor. I can give you a ride or pick up supplies for Mount Sinai or Port Jefferson. And buy you a beer. Good luck, keep us posted!

[WI-Tom]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

Ted,

great dreams! But... Lake Eerie?

You need to sail Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Launch in Chicago (or Green Bay), sail east along the north shore of Lake Michigan (nice island hopping there), then on to the Canadian side of Lake Huron (North Channel/Georgian Bay). You can still get to Eerie from there if you want to reach the canal.

Sorry I no longer have any place near the Great Lakes to stow a boat.

Tom

[Rich Jones]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

I live 45 minutes from Whitehall, N.Y.
Call me when you get there, and I'll help with the mast!

[Ron Williamson]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

If you like canals, consider the Trent-Severn and Rideau.
After the Mac, many boats head for the North Channel.
R

[Paul Pless]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

But... Lake Eerie?

maybe he wants to troll for walleye

[Ted Hoppe]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

Life is so uncertain. Doing everything I'd want to do with the limited time and finite resources is exactly what makes my dreams so precious. I only know I want to do these things with friends who can enjoy the effort and meaning of all this; the hard work and months of employment to make it happen.
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[David W Pratt]

Re: Distance Calculator Dreams

Keep posting, like Rich, I am in VT, so could possibly help/crew for some of the post race delivery.