Boating with Kids Summer of 2019 Part 2

Boating with Kids

Oct 24, 2019

By Laura Briscoe-Schell

Laura and Royce live near Lake Nipissing but boat on Georgian Bay. This year we were out of Key River so sadly missed a month due to the big fire.

The pair have boats in their blood. Laura provided some background: “Some is from my time as a child on our 36 ft Chris Craft. My husband grew up on Georgian Bay. We did take a couple of boating courses and I plan to take more. Most specifically navigating, as our dream is to do the loop one day. (Once we manage an upgrade!)”

Royce and RyanDad Royce and Ryan. We have a picture of them both taken in the exact same spot when Ryan was just 6 months old.
August- Britt and French River

Golden Sword Island is favourite anchorage for all of us. It is sheltered from the worst of the wind, there is an old chimney still standing on the shores that fascinate the kids. Sadly, the beautiful shoreline is now marred with multiple windmills. These huge structures do take away from the scenery. It’s a shame and that progress and clean energy have to be so grotesque. Still, it remains a popular spot as it’s a short trip from Britt and a great stop over on the route north to Killarney.

Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset Golden Sword Island

Windmills

 

Henvy Inlet Windmills

 

 

 

 

 

Monkey Cliffsjumping at Monkey Cliffs

Colt and Dayton

 

 

 

Son Colt and grandson Dayton

 

 

 

If you are looking for a quiet and picturesque place to anchor for a night or longer the French River area is the place to go. There are countless bays and sheltered spots for boats of all sizes and draft to sneak into. The pine trees and rocks create a stunning landscape. We managed to tuck in behind an island where we felt we were alone in the world. Right beside us were some cliffs that just screamed to the kids “jump from us”. If you looked at the cliffs carefully you could see the face of a monkey. The boys now call this spot “Monkey Cliffs”. The kids had a blast kayaking around this bay and jumping from the cliffs.

We rode out a summer storm and enjoyed a light show that the kids slept through! It never ceases to amaze me what kids can sleep through!

It’s true we didn’t go as far as we had planned this summer. But we had an amazing time anyway. Our summer entailed everything that I believe boating is about. Time with family and friends, we met new people. Learned from some of these people. The kids expanded their kayaking and swimming skills. Baby Dayton took his first steps on the boat and proved to be a true sailor. He slept right through a couple of pretty rough crossings! The boys learned how to handle dock lines and take some responsibility from us. It was a true summer on Georgian Bay!

BrothersBrother bonding time

Brothers

Related Articles

Video Gallery

Jeanneau Yachts 55

Throw away the box, this is some fresh thinking

Seemingly part sailboat and part spaceship, the new Jeanneau Yachts 55 just busted through the boundaries of traditional yacht design. I couldn’t take my eyes off the bubble hardtop that met me at the dock and I stepped aboard with trepidation. A few hours later, I was planning how to spend my not-yet-won lottery winnings.

Read More

Destinations

Paving the Way to Cleaner Boating – How a Commitment to Reducing our Environmental Impact is Inspiring Cleaner Boating in Ontario

By Dave Rozycki

Over the past seven decades, Ontario’s marina industry has developed alongside some of Canada’s largest freshwater lakes. Boaters have been able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and create lasting memories on the water, with certain marinas dating back to the 1960s. As we reflect on this rich history, we can begin to see trends in how our footprint may have had an effect on the environment, in not-so-positive ways. However, by embracing innovative solutions and adopting sustainable practices, both marinas and boaters hold the key to preserving and enhancing the quality of our lakes and marine life for generations to come.

Read More

Lifestyle