Parry Sound Area

State of the Sound Report – 2015-03-12

Boating News, Environmental / Weather, Parry Sound Area, , ,

Not fit for skiing, ice fishing or boating, the Big Sound is a mess. We’ve had about three days of above freezing daytime temperatures and it has basically turned the snow on top of the ice into slush with a crust. It’s pretty much impossible to walk, ski or snowshoe on the Big Sound and snow machines send up a spray as they shuttle around trying to get the ice shacks off the ice. The ice is still nice and thick so it will still be too many weeks before the Big Sound is fit for boating. This the time of the season where you wished you had a hovercraft or one of those air boats used in the swamps of Louisiana.

Making Tracks on the Big Sound (2015-03-11)

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State of the Sound Report – 2015-03-06

Environmental / Weather, Information/Reports, Parry Sound Area, , ,

Redwood189020150306-_DSC9432_DxOThe Big Sound still pretty much looks like Antarctica. We are expecting a few days of above freezing by the beginning of next week. It could be a cruel hoax, but the thaw has to arrive at some point. It promises to be a slow start to the boating season. Out at Hole in Wall last Saturday the ice was about 60 cm (24 in.) thick, great for sledders and skiers.

What I haven’t seen yet on the Big Sound is snow skiing, in the style of water skiing. Not only should it be possible it should be reasonably safe. A quick internet search turned up a couple of images of sled skiing but not much else. Hmm, I may need to make friends with sledders if the snow and ice insist on hanging around.

JB – Communications Officer

 

State of the Sound Report – 2015-01-28

Environmental / Weather, Information/Reports, Parry Sound Area, , ,

Redwood1890-20150128-_1281700_DxOThis is a photo from the 28th. Clear skies, below average temperatures, and little snow have been the norm since the Big Sound and Georgian Bay pretty much froze over earlier this month. The Sound is basically ice with a bit of hard packed snow which makes it easy for walking, but perhaps not that great for X-Country skiing. I spoke with a fisherman today and he estimates the ice is 12 to 14 inches (30-35 cm) thick in the Sound. (January 2015)

State of the Harbour Report – 2015-01-05

Environmental / Weather, General/Travel, Parry Sound Area, ,

That’s Parry Sound Harbour. Remember yesterday’s photo of the Big Sound, wide open and with just a bit of ice on the far shore? Well here’s a photo taken the same day with Parry Sound Harbour to the left and the Big Sound to the right. Quite a contrast. Tucked in to the lower right you can see where the Seguin River flows into the harbour.

Despite the apparent complete ice coverage I didn’t see any snow machine tracks, but there was a hovercraft heading away from the Champaigne Street dock. By the weekend with the big freeze there should be a virtual highway for the snow machines as they head down the South Channel. The Big Sound will doubtless be iced over but perhaps not yet thick enough to support the weight of a snow machine and rider.

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State of the Sound Report – 2015-01-05

Environmental / Weather, Parry Sound Area,

The Big Sound – Parry Sound.

Clear sailing as of yesterday (January 5th), but cold with a guarantee of ice in the next few days. But don’t try and enter the harbour (more on this tomorrow). The Big Sound was frozen over on January 1st last year and I suspect it will be ice covered by the weekend with the cold weather we had yesterday, and the forecast for the coming days. It will soon be possible to walk on water.

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Boating Essentials, Starting January 2015

Courses/Training, Events and Presentations, Parry Sound Area,

Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron will be offering the Canadian Power Squadron course Boating Essentials starting in January 2015. Classes meet once a week at Canadore College, Wednesday evenings, from January 14th to March 11th, with no classes February 11th and 18th.

Cost of the course is $250 which includes instructional materials. Contact John Mason (705/342-1315) Commander Parry Sound Power & Sail Squadron, or Laurie Peddie (705.746.9222 ext. 7351) Canadore College, for more information.

Boating Essentials

Enjoyment and safety on the water require knowledge. Boating Essentials will take you to the next level in your boating education. Technology has changed the way we navigate. However, in order to use a GPS/chartplotter effectively, you should understand the use of paper charts and coastal navigation. The topics covered in this course; magnetic compass, global positioning and charts, navigation, conning, plotting, digital charting, anchoring, lines and ropes will increase your boating knowledge and make your adventures on the water safe and enjoyable.

The Stop

General/Travel, Parry Sound Area, ,

Are you ready for your OPP safety check on the water? Or, more importantly, are you prepared for an emergency?

A couple of weeks ago on a humid September day we had friends in town and decided to go for a cruise on Georgian Bay in our small power boat. Since it was calm we elected to circumnavigate Parry Island from Parry Sound harbour. While rounding Bears Head at the tip of Parry Island we were surprised to be flagged down by the OPP boat for a routine safety check. It was a pleasant encounter, all aboard my vessel were wearing inflatable PFD’s and since I am writing about it you might guess correctly that we successfully passed muster.

What struck me however, as I displayed the store bought kit with the mandatory items for my 17’ boat, was how wise in might be to routinely supplement the equipment on board. I had the mandatory paddle, but I also carry a substantial anchor and rode with chain, some extra lines (the stuff in the kit could pass for twine), a fire extinguisher, small air horn, flares, VHF radio, first aid kit, extra clothing, matches, compass (some items may be mandatory for your vessel – so check the regulations. I didn’t bore, or annoy, the officers by showing them my extra gear. But I was glad to know I had it onboard.

It is easy to be complacent out there – be prepared to help yourself and others.

RA – MAREP

The Emerald Isle in Parry Sound. A candidate for a Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron Courtesy Check?

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