The idea for the cruise - probably bandied about in 1970 - got serious in early 1971...

***** Jan. 24: I wrote "Inland Marine Sales" in Warsaw, NY, regarding a charter; I apparently had contacted them earlier. *****

Dear Sirs:

We received your brochure on chartering sailboats a few days ago and would like to discuss the matter with you a little more fully. In particular we are very interested in the possibility for a two week charter of a Contest 30 this coming summer. The particular period would need to fall between July 19th and August 21st give or take one or two days; we would prefer the beginning of this period rather than the end but are reasonably flexible.

Our sailing experience began four years ago when we purchased a 14' sloop which we sailed for two seasons on lakes in Colorado and for one season on Lake Ontario. Last summer we purchased two Sunfish and did extensive sailing and racing with them in Colorado during the season. In addition my wife and I spent one week last spring at the Annapolis Sailing school in St. Petersburg, Florida; this school included a five day conducted cruise in an Annapolis 25. We have had essentially no experience with powered craft.

Our interest in chartering stems from a desire to extend our sailing experience and to introduce our children (four boys from 8 to 18) to the joys of cruising and large (relatively) sailboats. We have chosen Lake Ontario as the place for our first solo cruise because of its relatively protected nature and also because we have strong connections with the region. (My wife's family has a summer place on the Lake just east of Port Bay, and the cruise would undoubtedly contain several day-sails from either Port Bay or Fairhaven depending upon the available facilities.

The financing of the cruise is to be taken care of by a summer school job which I have arranged (I teach mathematics at Colorado College) but we would be unable to make the required deposit until March probably (income tax refunds...).

We would appreciate your reaction to this letter. If you response is generally favorable, we would also appreciate finding out where cruise planning material can be obtained as we anticipate that no small part of the fun will be the planning, and the sooner we can get this underway, the better.

Again, thank you for the information. We will look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Sincerely, Wilson Y. Gateley

***** Feb. 13: They responded *****

Thank you for your letter of 1/24/71. Your experience seems adequate, but we can check you out in maneuvering techniques of a larger boat - docking, current handling, etc.

We have a cruising guide we have prepared especially for our charterers which tells where to go, and where not to go, compass courses, time enroute, etc. - sells for $1.00 (refundable if you charter).

We also have a complete SOP manual which tells you how to operate the motor, sails, winches, anchoring, docking, etc.

Our requirement would be $100.00 down with contract; $189.00 by May 15, 1971, balance on boarding.

We do not recommend Port Bay. The Contests draw 4'4", and Port Bay has bearly [sic] five foot. Fairhaven is great, the area from Oswego to Stony Point is one to be avoided with a keel boat.

Please let us know your exact requirements, and we shall be glad to mail you a contract.

Sincerely, W Follendorf

**** On Feb 16th, they sent us a brochure describing their boats (Contest 30 and Rhodes 41) *****

***** My reply (Feb. 23, 1971 to Mr. Follendorf *****

Dear Mr. Follendof:

Thank you for your letter of Feb. 13th. We were quite pleased by your response and are looking forward to the cruise with much anticipation.

Enclosed is a check for $100.00. I understand that an an additional $189.00 is due to you by May 15th, 1971, and the balance on boarding.

The dates we would prefer are from July 26 (Monday) throught August 8 (Sunday). We would be willing to start anytime during the week from July 19 to July 26 if it would be easier for you.

***** Message from Inland Marine, 3/4/71 ****

We have booked your charter for noon 25 Jul 71 thru noon 8 Aug 71. Please sign or fill in "x's" on our contract and return, thus binding your reserved dates.

r/c ck 2/23/71 100.00;  bal 512.68; please remit 189.00 by May 15, 71 [Sent 5/12]

If the yacht is not booked on the 24th, you may stay aboard free. We are most happy to have you aboard. Our yachts are truly beautiful, and kept in class A shape so as you can enjoy a trouble free vacation. We have chartered many times, & put our yachts in better shape than we have had.

Happy sailing Bill F

***** A brief note from Bill F *****

If  U can arrive early, we shall run U around the river to get the hang of maneuvering - Bill F

The log which I kept for the cruise is rather sparse. I'll give most of it below but will omit the weather forcasts which were received; they involved something called "MAFORS" and produced some mysterious sets of 5-digit numbers such as: 12720 14600 12510; my memory gives me no clue as to their exact meaning...

1400: Left Rochester under power

1445: 3 miles north of Rochester; motor off, sails up. Wind E.

1630: (some MAFORS stuff)

1800: on power

1900: At Smoky Point. About 17 miles to go to Sodus.

2300: Anchored off Thornton Point - Sodus Bay.

0830: gas(6.7 gal) & water & gas - Sill's Marina

1015: Left Sodus Bay - power.

1035: On sail; wind S, 6 knots.

1205: At Oakdene.

1900: Anchored at Little Sodus Bay.

1000: Left, high waves, returned shortly.

1630: Planning: Fairhaven to Presque Isle Light: 323 degrees magnetic, 65 miles (10 hours under power, 13 hours at 5 mph, 16 hours at 4 mph). To arrive by 2000, start at 0500.

2130: aground! (Grass Island); pulled off by a motorboat.

7-27 ???

0410: reveille.

0505: Passed Fairhaven light under power. Sails up, course 323M, wind SW.

1905: Presque Isle Bay light. Kith at the helm 10 hours!

1930: Stopped at Pearson's Marina; head tank pumped ($4.50)

1000: Left marina; power through Murray Canal; calm, drizzle.

1130: Through canal - sails up - very light wind.

[There is no specific mention of 7-29 in the log; however, a receipt shows that we did clear Canadian Customs on the 29th. Sloppy log keeping...]

1500: Bellville - checked in at Customs.

1800: Anchored between Massasouga and Horse Points.

0910: Underway - sail.

Jib seam torn - power to Deseronto.

Sail to Ram Island in Hay Bay.

Kith sewed jib.

0755: Left Ram Island under sail. Wind NE.

1930: Anchored east of Thompson's Point in the St. Lawrence - weedy; jury rigged an anchor light.

Brian and Toby caught fish!!!

Power to Gananoque (weeds on prop - Kyle cleaned) (rescued Legos)

1130: Anchored at "Anchorage A" - near Beuvringe [sp?] Island.

0845: Departed - power - wind S - course S!!!

1215: At Cape Vincent - gas

1730: Arrive Main Duck Island - neat place!

0815: Departed Main Duck - sail - wind S-SW, 8 knots.

[Lots and lots of fog; the lights at Oswego a very welcome sight.]

1815: Arrived at Fairhaven; anchored in Meadow Cove.

Kyle and Chris went by foot to Oakdene.

We tied up at the Fairhaven Yacht Club dock.

1800: Kithie and Bob [Marcuson] are on board. Anchored in Meadow Cove.

1000: Depart Fairhaven to Oakdene; wind N, under sail.

1130: Anchored at Oakdene - dropped Kithie and Bob off; took on Polly.

1345: Departed Oakdene under sail bound for Sodus Bay.

1930: Arrived Sodus Bay anchored off Thornton Point.

Diddled in Sodus Bay [took Winkie and Doris on a sail around the Bay.]

0620: Depart Sodus Bay - wind W - under power.

1415: Arrive Rochester.

***** Final note with deposit return from Bill F *****

8/10/71 - Thank you for your note of last week [no record or memory of that note]. We are glad you all had a good time.

broken compass bracket: 5.00

jib leech ripped:               11.00

                                         $16.00

Damage deposit returned: 250.00 - 16.00 = $234.00