July 1, 2025 Into new Territory

 Tuesday  July 1, 2025  Clayton NY to Cedar Island Anchorage  23 miles and 3.5 hours

Heading out the Thousand Islands...partly through an area we visited while looping, but then getting into new territory.   We had about 7 new loopers at the marina for the last two days and looks like most are heading out with us today. About half were stopping at Boldt Castle where we visited and anchored for July 4th back in 2019.  You can read about it here if interested. 

On the Water with As You Wish

Passing Boldt Castle. Boat harbor entrance on left,
 children's play fort at water's edge
 and the castle in the background.

 

More renovation in progress - never ending task with a 120 year old castle

The other half of the loopers headed up to Singer Castle with us.   The day started off with a heavy haze and 10-15mph SW winds at our back. Only downside to the haziness was it didn't provide quite the picturesque vistas you normally have while going by the islands. 

Picturesque lighthouses all along the river

Thousand Islands tour boat bearing down on us through the haze

Thousand Island International bridge - connects US and Canada

Relatively short cruise, so we opted to stop about half-way up in Alexandria Bay for a pump out and to top off the tanks with "cheap" US diesel before crossing into Canada.  We did our big fill-up back in Brewerton so just another 100 gallons today. 

2025 picture

2019 picture when looping. Great Lakes were all well above normal levels

Made it to Singer castle and circled the island then over to Cedar Island and anchor set by 1:30. We'll take the dingy over and tour Singer Castle tomorrow. 

Sun setting behind Cedar Island anchorage

Journey for July 1, 2025

Wednesday July 2nd - still at anchor.

Beautiful sunny morning to start the day.  A bit warmer getting up into the 80's. Beautiful clear water, but at just 67 degrees too cold for me to jump in! Today's activity is dropping the dingy and heading over to tour Singer Castle.   They open at 10 and if you get there before the tour boats at 11 you pretty much get a private tour.   Unlike Boldt castle where you wander at your leisure, 45-minute guided tours are done here to match the coming and going of the tour boats. Unfortunately for us, that makes for a quick pass through with little time for really exploring and enjoying the sense of place, history, construction, etc.  

Singer Castle viewed from the river. Small boathouse at front

Big Boathouse on backside of island is undergoing renovation.
Also housed the power plant, water pumps, etc. 

While both Boldt and Singer castles were being built at the same time, the two castles are distinctly different.   Boldt was never completed, and NY State has been slowly renovating it for 45 years bringing it up to the looks and grandeur of what it would have been if completed.  Singer Castle was completed in 1905 and lived in by Bourne family members until 1961. 

A winding walkway would take guests up to the front entrance 
with this imposing view of the main tower.

 Frederick Bourne was the sixth Director and President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.  Got that position at age 38 and made his fortune. His use of the installment plan to make sewing machines a household item fueled the company's growth during his tenure.  He hung around with the likes of the Rockerfellers, Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans. Had a passion for fast Mercedes cars and yachts.  Was a Commodore of the NY Yacht club and belonged to the exclusive Jeckyl Island Club. Built a massive estate on the South Shore of Long Island as his primary family residence completed in 1897. Indian Neck Hall had 110 rooms, 75,000 sq. ft and was situated on 1000 acres.  The architect was Ernest Flagg who was also commissioned to design the "hunting lodge" on Bournes's recently acquired island on the St. Lawrence.  Flagg's design was inspired by a castle in Scotland described in Sir Walter Scott's 1826 book 'Woodstock' which he had been reading.  A medieval stonework design with dungeons, tunnels, and secret passages. Built over just two years in 1903-1905 at a cost of $500,000.  Five stories tall with just 28 rooms forces you to meander about inside.

  

The Grand Entrance Hall. 300 workers - many Italian stonemasons -
worked year round for two years to complete the building

Main staircase made of marble guarded by knight in armor

View of the St. Lawrence from the balcony off the breakfast room

The Gameroom

Lots and lots of stairs

A corner of the library which was originally the billiard room. 
  Over 200 volumes - many first editions.

It was originally called "The Towers on Dark Island" when completed.  Major renovations were done in 2003 after being bought by a new owner who then opened it for tours and renamed it Singer Castle.  The property includes the castle, ice house, squash court building, front boathouse and the rear boathouse which is currently undergoing renovation.  It was designed to accommodate a 125' steam yacht that Bourne had designed.  Overall, a nice tour but too much to take in with just 45 minutes available. One last thing.  You can rent out the Royal Suite on the third floor and stay at the castle overnight for about $1000/night.  

Secret passages

And hidden tunnels allowed the seven house staff to move freely about the property
 without disturbing the family and guests

Back at the boat it's an afternoon of relaxing. Researching and writing this blog.  A bit of cleaning bugs off the boat, a little sunbathing, hoisting the dingy back in place and finishing the day with a nice cookout for dinner on the boat. 

Your blogger hard at work.

June 29, 2025 Returning to Clayton - A delightful town

Sunday June 29, 2025   Cape Vincent, NY to Clayton, NY    16.5 miles and 2.3 hours 

The reservation for Clayton Municipal Marina says arrival time is 1 PM, so that gave us time for a leisurely breakfast before needing to head out.  Untied the lines and started our departure at 10:30 and was immediately greeted by 3 boats heading downriver. We assumed correctly to Clayton.   Fell in line behind them.  A relatively short and uneventful cruise.  Canada on your left with all their wind turbines on Wolf Island.  America on the right with waterfront "cottages" and the actual border running down the middle of the river.  

Canadian scenery - we know it will only get better

A small boathouse for a "cottage" on the US side

Overcast when we started but clouds were breaking up as we approached Clayton.  Had to idle for about 1/2 hour for my turn to actually dock as the other boats got settled in.  "Head on a swivel" as they say with all the local small boaters buzzing around us.  A Lurssen built 212-foot superyacht, the Elysian, was sitting on the town bulkhead getting lots of attention from the locals although I never saw a single crewmember.  Built in 2014 it accommodates 12 guests. Has a swimming pool, helicopter landing pad, 16.5 knot top speed, 11' draft. The owner - John W. Henry - is an interesting guy. Now lives in Connecticut.  Made his fortune developing and managing a commodities trading program back in the 80's.  Currently into various sports team ownership including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, part owner of Jack Rouse Racing.  Also owns the Boston Globe Newspaper. 

Safe in our slip along with several other new loopers

The Elysian at the town bulkhead

But, back to Clayton.  We stopped here when doing the Great Loop back in 2019 and really enjoyed the town.  Can't believe it's been almost 6 years to the day since we were here.   Still nice as ever.  Beautiful newer marina with floating docks right in front of a resort hotel and adjacent waterfront park.  Quick walk to downtown and its myriad gift shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc.    Several blocks of well-kept older houses.  Some nice old churches and parks. Grocery store just 1/2 mile away out on the main road. Even the wood fired pizza and brewery in an old historic home is still here along with a nice bakery, an impressive cheese shop and an amazingly versatile hardware store.

Downtown maintains its character with original late1800's buildings

Big ships pass regularly during the day and night.

Clayton history is based on tourism dating back to the gilded age.  The Thousand Islands area beckoned the rich and famous for the summer season.  Massive houses/castles built by wealthy barons of the time who came for trophy muskie fishing and lavish parties.  Tourism, fishing, boating and partying still are the industries keeping the town going. A big tourist draw here is the wooden boat museum. We visited last time so skipped it this time, but their collection is pretty spectacular.

A classic wooden boat from the museum taking tourists for a cruise

Wedding at the resort had the newlyweds getting pictures taken
 on the dock as the sun was setting

Made for a nice end of the day

 

Journey for June 29, 2025

June 27, 2025 Onward to the St. Lawrence River

Friday June 27, 2025,  Sackets Harbor to Cape Vincent - 24 miles and 2.75 hours

Forecast is calling for a wind and rain event to develop later today and continuing into Saturday.  But things look good for moving this morning so off we went at 7:30 for a short cruise out the last of Lake Ontario and onto the start of the St. Lawrence River.  Heading to another small town we've never visited - Cape Vincent.   Easy cruise with overcast skies, light winds, and a very minor chop on the water.

Heading off Lake Ontario and to the entrance of the St. Lawrence

Tibbetts Point Lighthouse protects the entrance to the St. Lawrence River

Cape Vincent has a new town floating dock with water and power. Suggested docking donation of $20/day with a 3-day limited stay.   QR codes on the dock lets you pay online or leave a donation in the box at the ramp.  Very convenient payment system.  Cape Vincent is directly on the river but has a break wall to minimize wakes from passing ships.  Still has exposure to NE and NW winds but we'll be getting S and SE winds forecasted at 20-25mph with gusts to 40.  While we hoped to have wind protection provided from the town and trees directly behind us, passing ships still managed to leave a few surging bouncy waves. 

As You Wish and a classic wooden Chris-Craft on the town dock

Large ocean-going ships pass by outside the break wall

We arrived early enough Friday to get in a good walk of the town before any winds or rain arrived.  Pretty small town but locals seem quite proud of it.  Downtown consists of just a few gift shops, post office, ice cream shop, 2 restaurants, a brewery/pub and a combination grocery/gift/hardware/fishing tackle store all lined up across the street from a nice village green.  Learned of a presentation at the library Saturday at 10 AM by an Erie Canal staff member discussing "Immigrants and the Erie Canal" and also there would be a band playing at 4PM on the village green.  In between those activities we decided to explore the aquarium and learning center at the NY State DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation) building. Made for a nice second day and even the weather cooperated.  Rain moved out early providing a nice sunny 70 degree day although still a bit blustery.   Decision to stay 2 nights was prudent. 

Downtown with brewery and general store

Ship passing by the town

DEC building and research vessel Seth Green. Building has an interesting history. 
 Originally a grist mill, then a lumber mill, eventually bought by Feds in late 1800's.
 Used as a fish hatchery for many years before being turned over to NY State 

Saturday music on the Village Green drew a good crowd. 
Interesting mix of original music and everything from the 40's to today.

There was an old wooden fishing boat called the Anna which sat forlorn and neglected beside the road leading into town. Subject of several artists work in the local gift shops.  Apparently, it had just recently succumbed to age and fell in on itself. Created quite a dialogue with the locals on Facebook wondering why such a landmark hadn't been saved.  Was thinking about it on Friday as I passed several wood boats lined up outside this building so grabbed a picture.   A bit disheartened to pass them again the next day.

Interesting collection of old wood boats

Always wondered where old wood boats went to die - now I know - the dumpster.

Sunset over Lake Ontario

Journey for June 27, 2025

June 25, 2025 Finally Starting the Down East Loop

 Wednesday. June 25, 2025.  Brewerton NY to Sackets Harbor, NY   74 miles and 10 hours

We made the decision last year when putting the boat up for winter storage here in Brewerton, NY that we would be coming back in 2025 to do the DECL (Down East Circle Loop). Spent many nights during our off time reading up on this more adventurous trip which will take us out the St. Lawrence River, around Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, then across the Bay of Fundy to Maine, down the New England coast, through Long Island Sound and completing the circle in NYC.  Our plan has us back to NYC and heading south by early October before it starts getting too cold up here. 

Map of the Down East Loop

Displaying our DECL burgee as we prepare to start

Day one of our trip started after spending a month here at Ess-Kay yards. Great owners, wonderful boat neighbors and loads of fun. Lots of projects big and small as well as several car trips including a quick drive home to pick up more stuff and do a final closing up of the condo. FINALLY, today we tossed our lines at 7:30 to make the first opening of Lock E-23 at 8AM.  After 9 months of no boating, we're going to make it a long boating day today.  

Departing Ess-Kay Yards as we start out trip.
Picture thanks to Liz and Steve on Shingebiss

 We arrive at E-23 at 7:55 only to find two boats already in the lock and getting locked down.  The lockmaster is obviously too eager and efficient - starting work early!  No problem. He quickly turns the lock around for us as we idle nearby.  We catch up to Madi Hati and Big Wave before arriving at Oswego Lock 1 and we all stay together through the series of seven Oswego locks.  (Oswego locks are numbered one through eight, but there is no lock #4). Timing is perfect as each lock is waiting for us with the gates open and green light on to proceed in.   Nice day to be on the water - sunny, nice breeze, temps in the 70-80's and no other boaters out slowing down our progress.   By 1:30 we have passed Phoenix, Fulton and Oswego and completed another transit of the Erie Canal system (this year celebrating 200 years since the opening of the original canal) and head out past the breakwaters onto Lake Ontario.

Beautiful morning to be starting our trip.

Passing Phoenix and entering Oswego Lock 1

Our locking buddy boats Madi Hati and Big Wave lead us into lock O-7

Exiting Lock 8 and out into the open waters of Lake Ontario

Passing the lighthouse guarding the entrance to Oswego Harbor

We picked today for our big water cruise since winds were finally easing up a bit with forecasted waves of just 1'.  Forecast is correct. Not dead calm but just rolly enough so that by the end of the trip we're still feeling "the motion of the ocean" despite being tied firmly to a dock. Four hours of open water crossing.  No other boats in sight the entire time.  Otto, our autopilot, does all the hard work for us driving a long straight course line.  We did get a few moments of excitement when the radio lights up with the Coast Guard hailing As You Wish.  Apparently, they saw us on AIS and were concerned after having found a floating lifejacket a few miles outside the Oswego Harbor entrance and wanted to verify it wasn't ours and also know if we had seen any other boats or activity when we left.  Not any help with either so listened to repeated Pan Pan Pan calls for mariners to be on the lookout. 

With the DECL burgee on the bow, we opted to mount our AGLCA and MTOA burgees
 on either side of the bimini top.   Lake Ontario crossing conditions in background. 

A big part of this year's adventure is exploring new towns and so rather than heading straight for the St. Lawrence River entrance we detoured a bit and made Sackets Harbor our port of call.  We tied up at Navy Point Marina by 5:30. Tired and hungry we're satisfied with our first day of travel. Did a test run now that I've got the trim tabs working properly after replacing the pump.   WOT reached 2800 rpm and even with our full load of fuel and water we still hit expected 23mph top end speed.  

Ending our open water passage, we pass the aptly named Stony Point.

Overcast, cool, windier and some rain Thursday as we explore Sackets Harbor.  Claim to fame came during the War of 1812 when the US Navy made Sackets Harbor a shipyard and the headquarters for the Great Lakes Region.  A series of 6 forts were built surrounding the town and harbor - Ft. Tompkins, Ft. Kentucky, Ft. Virginia, Ft, Chauncey, Ft. Stark and Ft. Pike. There are currently no remnants of any of the forts although the Commandants and Lieutenants house and the sail loft and icehouse dating to the 1830's on the Ft. Tomkin's property have been restored. Eleven naval vessels were built at the shipyard providing American control of the area.  British forces coming from Canada battled twice to gain control of the harbor. Once in May 1812 and again in June 1813.  Both attempts were unsuccessful. Due to the heavy military presence in town during this time period it was the third most populous town in NY after Albany and NYC.  Nowadays it's a quaint, small, well-preserved town proud of its history with a nice collection of historic buildings, gift shops, a few restaurants, and a brewery downtown. The naval yard is now the marina and the battlefield a state historic site.

As seen when leaving the harbor. The sail loft and icehouse on the waters edge.
Commandants house on right and Lieutenants house on left at site of old Ft. Tomkins. 

Journey for June 25, 2025

Back on Board for the 2025 Cruising Season

May 31, 2025  - Ess-Kay Yard, Brewerton, NY

Welcome back. Time for our first blog posting of 2025.  It can only mean one thing - we're back on the water!  WOW!!   Unbelievable that it's been 8 months since we saw the boat hauled for winter storage up here in Brewerton, NY.  Made for a long stay at the condo down in Richmond Hill, GA but we tried to make the most of it.  Imbedded ourselves in the new neighborhood working on several improvement committees.  Took up pickleball.  Did lots of the touristy things in Savannah. Even made two trips to check on the boat and give the batteries a bit of a charge.  For our first boat visit Martha surprised me with a Frank Llyod Wright side trip over to "Falling Waters" - probably his most famous home design.  Awesome extended tour and the bare winter trees provided improved views of the house.  Only downside was all the scaffolding around the house as there is a multi-year renovation in progress.  

The living Room and patios cantlevered over the creek
 as seen from the entrance bridge

The typical iconic view of Falling Waters -
surrounded by scaffolds during our visit

Was amazed to see how tightly they are able to pack boats inside the buildings at Winter Harbor.  We wound up in the next to last row which meant we got put away early but also meant we'd get launched a bit later. Positive aspect of our location - we were closer to the big heaters for the building.  Knocked out a few little projects - replaced the trim tab pump and resolved a power issue with the davit system.

Panoramic view inside the storage shed from our flybridge

It takes years of experience packing them in this close
and still having no damage

Our second trip was in April (after they finally got rid of a heavy season of snowfall) and really just a quick trip to start loading things back on the boat and again put a charge on the batteries.  Hoped to get a better idea on timeline for launch but still too many variables - weather, delayed canal opening date, all those boats ahead of us, etc...  Verified they had taken care of two work orders for us - replacing the impellers on the motors and generator and then replacing the Spur line cutters. 

Third trip up was for our formal launch date - scheduled for Friday, May 23.  Stopped in on Thurs and boat was inside the shed sitting in slings on the travel lift and ready for launch.  Said they could "drop it in today if you're ready".   And so, we did. Spent a couple days at their dock checking over the systems.   The bilge pump in the lazarette finally succumbed to a seized motor, the generator battery made it through 7 years but was also done.  Engine batteries from 2019 were also questionable.  Port engine grudgingly turned over and eventually started but starboard was a no-go until putting the batteries in parallel.  Because we'll be cruising in more remote areas this year we need to make sure everything is in the best possible shape.  Multiple boat units to have some young studs at the marina replace my old fashioned, super heavy and huge sized 4D and 8D batteries. Just the price to pay to be confidently ready.. 

In the travellift inside the storage building ready for launch.
 Sometimes I forget just how big the boat is  -
until I see a picture like this with Martha standing beside it.

As You Wish back in her natural habitat - on the water .

During the off season I had been looking for a replacement tender.  Our BRIG E340 is nice but the steering system is frozen again and due to the design of the fiberglass RIB it's an ordeal to fix and not really doable while sitting up on our boat. Found a very lightly used Highfield 360FCT with a 30HP motor and trailer up in Raleigh.  So went and picked it up.  Our simple plan was to trailer it up to the big boat, swap the dingy's and trailer the BRIG over to my brother who is summering on Lake Champlain and let him use his mechanical skills to fix it and then enjoy it on the lake. 

New to us dingy in the garage awaiting an oil, filter and spark plug
change before heading to NY

Nice plan until the steering console welds gave way due to bouncing and vibrations during our drive up.  Was finally able to find a welder who was willing to undertake the project - made more difficult because the parts are aluminum and harder to weld. I can't thank Kamerin Langhorn enough for his helpful, timely and quality work. Highly recommend him if you need emergency repairs or have a welding project in the Syracuse area.  Easy to reach at 315-937-7672. Even has fully equipped mobile service to come to you if needed in an emergency.  A smart ambitious young man worth supporting.

Broken weld on steering console

Kamerin working magic with his TIG welder and rods

Finished product ready for some cleaning, paint and nav light reinstalled

Another coat of paint and it'll be better than new

Don't let that scary picture fool you - Kamerin was one of the nicest guys you'll meet