dutch st, Wolcott

[ken]

Bill and I visited a new site yesterday out in Wolcott. It's called Dutch St and it is a road that dead ends right at the lake. It is a few miles east of Chimney Bluffs and a mile or so west of Port Bay. No houses are visible along the shore in either direction. Check it out on Google Earth as it shows up quite clearly.

A local told me it is state land and it offered up some great 6.5 sailing w/ chest high swell. There is no rigging area so plan on rigging right in the road, the access to the water is a very short walk to a pebble beach, and then a short slog out to the wind line. The local told me there is quite a bit of beach when the water level is not so high.

I would think that this site would work well in NW, WNW, and NE.
Iwindsurf flow FX showed winds in that area and was right on w/ their forecast.

There are only three negatives I can think of. One would be the hour drive to get there, two would be the lack of a wind meter to know if there is wind, and three is it seemed to be the local trolling site for men looking for men, if you catch my drift. Thank God this is a family site or the baloney would really start flying.

We enjoyed a solid two hours of ripping it up in the swell w/ very
steady winds. Most likely not a great launch for kites at this point but would seem better when the water level returns to normal heights.

[ken]

Check out Google Earth, maps, and East Bay Rd., Wolcott. Appears similar to Dutch Rd but closer and a greater western exposure. This could be the spot! It is right next to Chimney Bluffs just to the east.

[Windydoug]

Three photo's of Dutch St. are uploading as I type, care of Windkid.

I loved, laughed, and appreciate Kens advisory to keep the lid on off color joking about the "attractiveness" of Dutch St.

Ken, did you get any pics? Saw you posing like you were in one of Bill's shots. If any add to what we have, send em along to me.
Windydoug

[David]

I sailed my carve off of east bay road last year one time, it does have better western exposure; BUT, in any type of southern there is a wind shadow from the point due west of chimney bluffs. Really cool though because you can come hauling off the swell and head into the shelter of the cove/point to make a the best planing gybe of your life (my good side). ;D

[waterauthorityrick]

Well it's good to see the search and destroy attitude amongst the fellow wind sports folks. Thanks to Bill & Ken (double dutch on Dutch st.) for looking for wind spots. I saw the photos and Ken was right chest high waves (we all know Ken measures them when he falls in HEAD FIRST)

I think we are well overdue with finding new places to catch the wind, I believe there must be places still closer than past Sodus. In fact I have charted out a few spots for the coming weekend to try; not necessarily to sail on the weekend but with the wet forecast I think a drive with the wife might be in order. (My hidden agenda to find launch sites of course)

H20 Rick

[David]

Hey Rick again I will say that Hamlin is a good spot and I think we should all go up there next good west day and sail. 35min away, OK western exposure, side shore with waves, hmmm. sounds fun...

[Thread Starter]

Please take note that my original post did not mention whether I was standing or lying on the board while measuring. Actually the swell was really head high but I kew you guys would never believe me. You've all seen me sail. yuk yuk

Next west, or WNW I'm heading to E bay Rd. I'll be the one with my seat harness on while rigging.

TS

[mikeyz]

David, I would be really excited to sail at Hamlin. But I remember you saying that you had some trouble with the authorities last fall. What can we do to fix this problem?

[waterauthorityrick]

I see Thread Starter has a used seat harness for sale with southern exposure.

BTW it's blowing at Durand now & NOT in Sodus. Get me out of this office.

Yes perhaps Hamilin sometime but I like being further down the lake for more wave "fetch"

I've been in the......

.....H20 (very little) Rick

[David]

fetch...smetch, we all know that if you wanted to you could make it down to Hamlin in 2 tacks Rick (not kidding) you would head 20 nautical miles out then back in. Seriously though the 1:15 hr of driving ($15) compared to 2:30 ($30) of driving round trip to go farther east is a serious benefit when Webster is loaded with midsummer goobers. Not to mention that is why we all travel to hamburg, the longest fetch within an hourr and a half. your comment made me remember that epic day last summer when there were 10+ rochester guys and hardly any locals and the wind kicked up to 40 - 53 and the waves coming in were 8-13 feet, now that is fetch! Besides, I am just looking for some back up to head up there with me so it looks like I am not the only crazy mofo in Rochester. Plus its not named "pickle park" if you know what I mean

[waterauthorityrick]

Seems David is board at work again.
You're almost right with the tacks.
Got out today and launched at the usual mouth of the bay Webster side with my 6.3m Sailed up to Durand, (4 Tacks ) saw Joe & Doug but on my 85 liter board and 215 lbs. I was slogging so I hurried back to the bay but did fine once I was back in the wind line.

David I agree with the shorter distance to Hamlin as compared to "Pickle Park" and perhaps some day when I leave from the office I can head to Hamilin this way we can be crazy mofos from Rochester together.

When things got a little light today between gusts I put my formula board on the 6.3 and went back out for a little blasting off the wind. I liked it so much I sailed all the way down to Webster Park, I was committed to make it regardless of the size of the waves (Ken I think they were chest high) What a difference between Durand , the Bay outlet and Webster. I saw the midsummer goobers in near the shore so I headed back to the Bay at 6:00 sharp. My next challenge see how long it takes to sail up wind to the Bay, with the increasing wind and the water spout storm looming out on the horizon I was praying the entire way. Made it in 3 tacks (26 mins) and with the wind from the closer storm switched back to the Kombat flattened the sail and sailed another 45 mins.

I checked out Forest Lawn when I sailed by, as you may know they have a camera there on line I think it is a great place to move the wind meter to, I'll work on that a little more. As far as additional sailing sites closer to Rochester I'm serious about scouting out new areas on Sunday, actually my wife can't go due to a wedding shower, so Scorza said he would like to go with me, he also has a friend who has a cottage (shack) on the water east of here he wants to check out.

I will update on these possible new sites and coin a phrase better than Double Dutch St. Pickle Park, seat harness rigging.

Joe,
Did you happen to make it back home in time for your Friday Fish Fry? Seems you've missed a few last month and hopefully didn't miss the first one since your return home.

H20 Rick

[Joe Herbert]

H2O Not to worry I was on time for my date and fishfry.Missed the early bird that I am accustom to. Had to pay long dollar, but was worth it. Best sailing at Durand that I have had for awhile. Thanks for your concern. Shortboard Joe

[waterauthorityrick]

Joe is a little long on his short board on Friday he was sailing a 110 liter board as compared to my 85 liter I weigh 215 lbs as compaired to Joe's what maybe 176 lbs. However all in all wind for the first week in August I don't care who was sailing what at least we were out on the water. Too bad I'm a slob and need more volume and sail size to get more water time, or perhaps a diet would also work.

[waterauthorityrick]

On Sunday Scorza and I went in search of a launch site east of Roch for future West winds, something closer than "Pickle Point Park" (Dutch Rd) which is past Sodas and at least an hours drive from Roch.

I had a list of areas that was viewed on line using a satellite site; in addition we stopped at farmers fields, new housing developments, even dirt roads to explore any possible option.

We parked at Webster to understand what conditions we were up against, the smell was indescribable and difficult to decipher whether the Lake or the overflowing porta-potty. Then got into one car with the list, 2 bags of chips and two bottles of Coke.

1st stop was just east of Franks corner store past Webster Park at an elite new home development. The cliff was sheer and about 45 feet up (Strike 1)

2nd stop was Bear Creek boat launch. Parking requires a town permit which based on the signs could also be obtained for visitors from the town. Side shore conditions but a filled in rocky cliff down to the water which in 4.0m conditions would be difficult. One could launch from the boat ramp then swim 60 yards to the wind line. (Ball 1)

3rd stop was one weed overgrown driveway just West of Lake Breeze Dr. Interesting that this lot had an asphalt driveway but nothing but a cobble stone grilling fireplace on the property. Again side shore with wooden steps down to the water through a very narrow overgrown opening. Piles of medium size rocks and driftwood make up the waist high wall along the shoreline; signs that this shore gets pounded with strong enough waves to maneuver and shape the shoreline. The down side of this site someone owns it perhaps even one of the adjoining houses. (Ball 2)

4th stop which I thought from the satellite map was going to be the best kept secret, the drive off of Lake rd. put my car out of sight from the passers by. This is the Putneyville Lake Side Cemetery the perimeter road puts you near the Lake with a short walk or drive onto the bordering orchard grass right to the cliff edge. Even though side shore conditions the hedgerow of briers and bushes doesn't allow for access and the cliff is tall and steep. (Strike 2)

5th stop just past the cemetery is Hamilton St Ext. which puts you into one of Putneyvilles marinas; this is a point of land which when driven to the western portion of the property there are a half of dozen campers along the shore line with "No Swimming" and "Keep Out " signs but we found nobody around even on a Sunday afternoon. The point of land these campers were on turned too much making the launch almost off shore (ball 3)

6th stop was just past Hamilton St. Ext which is the Putneyville Yacht club with a gate across the driveway. We talked to a Webster native who was a member and just finished sailing their Hobbie Cat off the sand beach. He informed us that the beech is the ONLY sand shoreline until Sodus. I trust this site is off limits to non-members and the launch is well over 100 yards to the wind-line. So much for sand. (Strike 3)

7th stop was Foreman Park with no cliff a rock shore line (no different than Webster) and a long lists of No's on the park sign. No swimming, No wadding, No pets off chains, No alcohol basically NO FUN! Based on the two other cars in the parking lot there was NO REASON for anyone to be visiting the park. I think this is our best bet but Scorza feels that there is no way we would even get the gear rigged on shore before getting accosted by the park MOD SQUAD. Perhaps it's worth a try. There was a phone number on the sign for a full list of park rules and regulations 315-946-5836

8th stop was another elite housing development on Lakewood Drive tall and steep cliff (Strike 4)

9th stop was a small private marina before Hollands Cove this place was a run down fishing marina with a number of camper trailers all overgrown along the shoreline with keep-out signs and chains across the driveways. We drove in and walked all around no one seemed to bother us but I trust a large contingent of windsurfing cars would draw alot of attention to this small contained harbor. Scorza knows one person who lives in a small shack in the community so perhaps he could be helpful in us gaining access. There is one launch near a dock access road that is right along the rock shore but the cove is about 20 yards behind a point that protects the side-shore west winds. (Ball 4)

There were a few more private driveways we drove down and found we were treading on private property so without knocking on a few doors we considered these as non access sites.

In conclusion if it blows 4.5m or better in the near future I think I'm going through the goo of Webster unless I have all weekend to drive to Sodus. The trouble with the fall as we all know the days get shorter and our drive time must also be shorter.

Gotta give Hamlin another try.

H2O (exhausted) Rick

[mikeyz]

Rick that is an outstanding scouting job! Thanks!

I called the people at Foreman Park. They said it is staffed and that water entry is strictly prohibited.

Just out of curiosity how is Sodus? I was there a few weeks ago for some boating and I saw a large pier that didn't look to friendly (for beginners like me .

Also everybody keep their eyes peeled for that west wind. I checked the flowvis map on iwindsurf and it says saturday 2pm is gonna be off the hook on Lake Ontario.

- mikeyz

[chris]

Lynn has been kiting in near Fairhaven on the West side of the outlet between blind sodus and little sodus Bay. He has really scored there and no, I'm not talking about the personals. Long pebbly beach, shallow, great break, works great in a W and even a WSW. It's a little over an hour drive.