Cruising: Maple Leaf Rendezvous Enjoys Georgian Bay

August 8, 2024

By Paul Beelien

The Maple Leaf Rendezvous was the event that members of Maple Leaf marinas look forward to every year. This year 32 boats assembled just north of Midland on July 18 with their first port of call being Port Rawson in Massasauga. Rafts were assembled and old friendships reacquainted, and new friendships started. The weather was exceptional and only added to the events at Port Rawson which included a bbq by MLM.

The next port of call was Big Sound Marina in Parry Sound which included a fun pizza party, again courtesy of MLM. The following day we departed for the Bustard Islands with some opting to go by open water and others through the small craft channel which would include Collins Inlet. Staying for two nights in the Bustard Islands was a lot of fun, including the infamous margarita party, but also some drama with wind and thunderstorms coming through one evening which caused a 70 foot Viking to drag its anchor, not only once but twice at which point they took off overnight for the safety of Killarney. The rest of the rendezvous followed the Viking to Killarney the following day. Killarney Mountain Lodge and the sportsman Inn continue to offer boaters an exceptional stay and allowed us to fuel up, pump out and provision before heading to the north channel. 

From this point part of the group made their way back to their respective home ports while another part of the group opted to continue onto Baie Fine, a beautiful area that reminds one of traveling through fiords on our way to anchor at the pool, a famous secluded anchorage that included a hike to Topaz Lake. From Bay Fine, the smaller group made its way to Little Current, a wonderful little town on Manitoulin Island, to restock and as a jumping point to the rest of the North Channel. We were able to enjoy a great dinner at the Anchor Inn Restaurant and Bar and see where Roy Eaton broadcasts the Little Current cruisers net by VHF radio. 

From Little Current, the official MLM rendezvous group headed back home. However, another group decided to independently continue on to cruise and anchor at the Benjamin Islands for another week and were thoroughly impressed with the scenery, and the number of protected anchorages this area offers. A vacation to remember!

Thanks to the key members of the MLM rendezvous team including Jerry Haggarty, Steve Goddard, Karen Trottola as well as Jeff Sinclair for making this years rendezvous a success!