The Lake Champlain Mariner Fleet is hosting another rendezvous at Burton Island State Park. There is a little "Bistro" on the island and there are restrooms and showers, parking for trucks and trailers at Camp Killkare on Hathaway Point in St. Albans, Vt. I can reserve a bank of docks for $1.75/ft/night. There are 100 slips, and 20 some odd moorings. There are other islands in the immediate area, for say a picnic type of lunch thing, or swimming.
REGISTRATION IS $66.50 PER SKIPPER WITH BOAT. Crewmembers are free! Registration is from June 1st - July 1st.
You can find all about the Island online. I can see the place right from my camp on the lake. Plus, you'll get the "chance" to sail with the "oldest known" centerboard Mariner, #16 Chance!
Driving Directions to Hathaway State Park and Boat Launch:
- Take EXIT 19, from either NORTH or SOUTH bound, off Interstate 89.
- At the bottom of the ramp, go STRAIGHT through the 4 corners and lights, about 1 mile to a tee in the road.
- Go RIGHT (NORTH),onto Route 7, aka; South Main St., about a mile to downtown St. Albans.
- Turn Left (WEST) at the second set of lights, onto Route 36, aka; Lake St.
- Follow Lake St. all the way to St. Albans Bay, about 3 miles, a quick RIGHT (L bend) in the road in front of the Bay Store. Don’t worry, you’re still on Rt. 36.
- Continue on Route 36, bear RIGHT around the traffic circle.
- As soon as you cross the little bridge, take a quick LEFT turn onto Hathaway Point Rd. and ride it all the way to the end until you get to the welcome booth at Hathaway Point State Park.
A quick note; you will drive past a public boat launch along the way on the point road, while it is a good one, it offers NO security for overnight parking.
Once at Hathaway’s, launch your boat, stow your gear, park your vehicle, and sail around the three islands, Mosquito Island, is little more than a huge rock, but DO NOT go between it and the point, reefs and rocks. If you decide to motor to Burton Island, it should only take about 15-20 minutes or so, you can go through, what we call “the Gut”, marked by buoys, make sure you get a good line through them as it’s ROCKs on either side. Once safely through the gut you will see Burton’s marina on your LEFT.
The next island is Burton’s, way too tricky to sail through the gut, so one must sail around the next island, named Ball Island, privately owned, and again, DO NOT go between Burton and Ball Islands, reefs and rocks.
Let me put my disclaimer here now. While this is all good, directions and advise, I, nor my family, nor my descendants, are to be held personally responsible for any and all misfortunes occurring. Lake Champlain is known for its changing weather patterns, the wind, tends to bend around the islands, one needs to be alert, and steer clear, and I mean WAY CLEAR of any points, I’ve been sailing around here for years, and have hit the CB a few times, where I thought I was good.