Sailing To See
Explore Lake Champlain Aboard the Blu North
Approaching the 38-foot vessel docked at the Plattsburgh Boat Basin on the shores of Lake Champlain’s waters, my friend and I were greeted by the man who would guide us on a voyage that would span the next three hours. Captain David Northrup, a seasoned sailor, welcomed my group of two as we clambered upon the deck of Blu North, a charter boat with a history dating back decades. We sat on benches closely positioned near the wheel of the ship and enveloped in the shade of a canopy positioned over the deck.
The Captain untied knots and began to prepare the vessel for our voyage. The motor propelled the boat away from the boat basin. The Naked Turtle restaurant became smaller and smaller as we distanced ourselves from downtown Plattsburgh. If there were any onlookers, they would have been able to watch the charter’s title, written on one of the sails, “Sailing Sea to See,” fade off into the distance.
“Why the name Blu North for your ship?” I asked.
The Captain explained:
“Let’s call Blu North a vessel. Start with the North. This is the first part of our last name. Plus, when the vessel was purchased in 1982, she immediately sailed to the Caribbean. In 1996 she sailed north back to Plattsburgh. The color is blue, so my grandson added the idea of blowing north. But he wanted to use Blu instead.”
This boat, which had once sailed the crystal blue waters of the tropics, now escorted us through the colder, grayer waters of Lake Champlain, headed toward Vermont. Blu North offers this journey from May to October.
Further out on the lake, with New York growing ever more distant, Northrup shut down the motor and began to unfurl the sails. As he did so, he offered me the opportunity to take the wheel. Admittedly, it had been about 10 years since I received my sailing training, and although I felt rusty, I was willing to try.
Questions I had about sailing were quickly answered as a flood of memories from my own past, as well as the Captain’s advice on my steering, piloted us toward something greater than a simple charter. Northrup was allowing us the opportunity to learn about the boat — and the lake — through the experience that we were gaining. And better yet, this was an experience that he was passionate to share with us.
“I’ve been on and off the water most my life,” the Captain told us, before describing how when he was younger he would watch boats out at sea and wish he was out there too. With more than 20 years of experience, Northrup is both a tour guide to sailors who embark on the charter and an educator.
On some occasions, the Captain has even chartered for larger groups of up to six. Interested sailors will spend approximately two and a half hours sailing out and back to the basin, the only charter sailing from Plattsburgh. On such a long ride, we are told that some parties bring snacks or drinks.
Tacking to the north, Grand Isle was now in view as we straightened out and sailed with it along the starboard. At this point, we were about 90 minutes into our voyage. The remainder of our time would be spent sailing back from our position halfway between New York and Vermont, weaving and navigating through the numerous sailboats and motorboats that had joined us on the calm, late-September waters.
The return to the Plattsburgh Boat Basin was smooth sailing, and stepping off of the sailboat my friend and I felt we had gained not only knowledge of the water but an experience worth sharing with others. “It was a good relaxing time on the water,” my friend said. The charter typically costs $340, but for larger parties the price can be up to $500. Regardless of cost, the experience of sailing aboard the Blu North on the gray water is a priceless one.
