Underway Lake Champlain

[Mel Tucker]

Forum members often say "post some pictures" so here are a few taken by a helicopter as we pulled out of Cape may, NJ on our way to NY. It was "shark week" and we went out into the Atlantic at the same time all the sports fishermen were going out on their shark hunt. Surprised when I was informed the helo also photographed us, so we got a couple of pictures by sheer coincidence and luck.

Mel Tucker
Taylor G

 

[Avenger]

Very nice!

I've been contemplating getting a drone to do shots like that of my boat, but it looks like a PITA. Lucky you were in the right place at the right time.

 

[JLR]

Did you get to check out Marble Island in Mallets Bay.

 

[Mel Tucker]

Did not yet, but flying back up August 27th and will do so before starting back September 3rd. Lake Champlain is absolutely a beautiful place to cruise. However, never saw such poor boat handlers. Saw two collisions while there the first month!! I guess the boat season is so short they don't get a lot of boat handling experience. Also found out the weather can change dramatically from calm to strong winds (50mph) in a hurry. Best advised to watch forecast closely when cruising the lake.

 

[jrbrein]

Great pictures!

Years ago, I was sailing out of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay along with the Carribean 1500 boats sailing from Hampton, Virginia to Tortola, BVI. A helicopter was flying around shooting photos of everything out there. The helicopter was part of a company called "Boat Pix" and they contacted me with some great photos with the intention of selling me more photos including a 16" X 24" picture which I loved! I am happy I purchased those pictures to this day. My guess is you will get solicited soon to buy all different picture sizes. I would if I were you...your boat looks wonderful!!!

BTW, what speed and RPMS were you running. I am the new proud owner of a 43' DCFB 1981.

Best,

Jonathan Brein
43'DCFB 1981
Paragon
Chesapeake, Virginia

 

[JLR]

Did not yet, but flying back up August 27th and will do so before starting back September 3rd. Lake Champlain is absolutely a beautiful place to cruise. However, never saw such poor boat handlers. Saw two collisions while there the first month!! I guess the boat season is so short they don't get a lot of boat handling experience. Also found out the weather can change dramatically from calm to strong winds (50mph) in a hurry. Best advised to watch forecast closely when cruising the lake.

I heard the water is down this season. Be careful going through the fill to get to Mallets Bay.

 

[BobWaz]

The Lake Champlain water level is measured in feet above sea level. Currently we are at 94.28 feet. This is the second lowest level in recorded history of the lake. The lowest was 92.17 feet in 1941. The charts show depths based on 93 feet.

 

[saltshaker]

What's the norm?

 

[krush]

Very nice!

I've been contemplating getting a drone to do shots like that of my boat, but it looks like a PITA.

All you need is money. $1500 and you got an amazing one with movable gimble, 4k video, collision avoidance, autopilot, auto "follow-me", 2-4mile range, 25minute life, GPS, barometric altimeter, etc etc. DJI Phantom 4 is amazing...oh and you see POV through an ipad the whole time.

Edit: Looks like you can find it for $1200 now

 

[jim rosenthal]

Nice. Maybe I can get some of my local friends to go in with me on one of these. We would all like one, but no one has enough use to be the sole owner.

 

[BobWaz]

What's the norm?

Jack......The lake is 120 miles long with the Adirondack Mountains on the New York side and the Green mountains on the Vermont side. There are numerous rivers and streams that feed it. The lake actually flows north into Canada and to the St Lawrence river. There is not really a norm but I would estimate a 3 - 4 foot difference over a season starting around 98 feet. There was very little snow fall this year so we started on the low side in the spring. Flood stage is considered at the 100 foot level. Five years ago this past April we had a record breaking high of 103.5 feet. When it hit this level we had 50 mph winds for about 18 hours. This caused about $150,000 in damages to our property. Not good to see your house on the news and in the newspaper!

 

[saltshaker]

I know the lake well as I grew up in upstate NY. I lived on the lake for a while when I was in school. Spent my youth on the St Lawrence and in the Adirondacks. We have a house just south of Old Forge in White Lake.

 

[Avenger]

All you need is money.

Isn't that the answer to pretty much everything?

Thanks for the info. Maybe someday.