Day 71, 8.6.18, St Ouse

Another great morning sailing on the St Lawrence, but more wind today. At Sorel (a major industrial town) we take down sails and mast, then turn right into the Richeleau River. Twelve miles upstream is our fist lock on this system at St Ouse. But the lock is broken. A crew has been working on it for at least two hours in the hot sun. About eight boats are waiting to lock up, while a similar number want to lock down. But the nearby cafe and ice cream parlor has wifi and air conditioning.

After four hours of working in the sun, (we only waited two) they had it repaired. We were at the cafe, and hurried across the street and across the lock as the lock doors were closing. They saw us coming, re-opened the doors and added Eclipse to a lock full of boats to lift. Several boats were waiting to lock down too.

From near Isle de Boef, our anchorage last night, the St. Lawrence turns northward, then at Sorel we turn nearly due south on the Richeleau River. Thus the two rivers form a narrow peninsula, such that where we tie up for the night at the small town of St. Antoine sur Richeleau after 37 miles of sailing and motoring, is only five miles from whence we began this morning.

Eclipse passes big ships on the Saint Lawrence Seaway

Gary at the helm as we are overtaken by a large Tanker Ship on the Saint Lawrence

Partial Eclipse developed a leak, necessitating repairs while under sail out in the Saint Lawrence River

Cable Ferry carries cars back and forth across the Richileau River.  The ferry pulls and pushes on a cable that it grabs from underwater in order to move back and forth.  No steering needed!