2017 Great time to explore Canada's Waterways

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Happy 150th Birthday Canada! To celebrate Parks Canada has waived lockage fee's for 2017. Mooring fee's will still apply but there will be no cost to use the locks. This would save the captain of a Cdory22 about $200. CAD. This includes The Trent Severn, The Rideau, and several locks in Quebec. It also includes free admission to any of our National Parks.

In other great news the government has pledged $270 million for upgrading the lock system.

Info can be found on the Parks Canada website.

If any brats are tempted - shoot me a p/m if there is anything I might be able to assist with.

Regards, Rob

150 eh? seems like yesterday I was in grade 5 learning to march in the Centennial Day Parade to celebrate our 100th birthday :smilep

 

[hardee]

Rob, I was 8 years old, and was sitting on the parapet of the steps in front of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria BC, when Queen Elizabeth came by just in front of me. Of course I couldn't get to close, there was a row of red coated Mounties between us, but If I reach forward, I could put my hand on the Mounties shoulder, and the Queen was no farther than that in front of him.

Cool that Canada is doing the promotion for the parks. It would be fun to get back and do the locks too.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[dotnmarty]

Thanks for posting Rob. As for Harvey's sleep note, I fall asleep every night listening to "As it Happens" on CBC, one of the best programs on radio.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The Trent-Severn Waterway was one of our favorite cruises: historic locks, friendly people, beautiful scenery, interesting towns, amazing architecture on the lift locks, and the Big Chute Railway. It was more expensive cruising compared to the Erie Canal (but worth it) - this savings makes it a really good deal!

Happy 150th!

Jim

 

[Pat Anderson]

The Trent-Severn Waterway was one of our favorite cruises: historic locks, friendly people, beautiful scenery, interesting towns, amazing architecture on the lift locks, and the Big Chute Railway. It was more expensive cruising compared to the Erie Canal (but worth it) - this savings makes it a really good deal!

Happy 150th!

Jim

Yes, this is good news for us for sure!

We have altered our plans to head north from the Erie Canal to the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario to Kingston and the Trent-Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and North Channel. I have this on my Navionics and Navimatics for iPad and iPhone, but will be getting the C-Map vector charts for Coastal Explorer. Everyone says this is the best part of the entire Great Loop!

 

[ken35216]

[

Yes, this is good news for us for sure!

We have altered our plans to head north from the Erie Canal to the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario to Kingston and the Trent-Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and North Channel. I have this on my Navionics and Navimatics for iPad and iPhone, but will be getting the C-Map vector charts for Coastal Explorer. Everyone says this is the best part of the entire Great Loop!

How long will that trip take you?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Pat Anderson]

How long will that trip take you?

Thanks,
Ken

We are planning eight or nine months, not really sure! If it has to be longer, it can be, because we are retired!

 

[Two Bears]

Two Bears will be launching in the Trenton, ON area around the middle or later in August. Goal is to travel both the Trent-Severn and the Riedeau canals by the end of September, depending on weather. I suspect most "loopers" like Pat & Patti will have passed thru before we get there.
We don't have a schedule. Current thinking is to launch near Trenton and go west to Georgian Bay arriving near Sept 1st. After sampling Georgian Bay we will head back to Ottawa and perhaps Montreal. Then back to truck/trailer by end of September or when weather starts getting uncomfortable.
I'm looking for suggestions on where to launch, guide books, places to not miss & etc. Also trying not to over-plan it, but be ready to stop and "smell the roses" when we detect that sweet smell. Suggestions & ideas sought.
Chuck

 

[ken35216]

How long will that trip take you?

Thanks,
Ken

We are planning eight or nine months, not really sure! If it has to be longer, it can be, because we are retired!

Some people do the entire loop in 8-9 months. It would be wonderful to spend that much time doing one of the best parts!! I need to retire!! :xlol

 

[Casey]

Dessert 1st is planning to do explore the Trent/Severn and Rideau this summer as well. Any cruising guides or other planning resources are appreciated!

Best,
C&M

 

[hardee]

I would love to take advantage of the Canadian promo package, and to see the Maratimes, and some of the canal systems. Other than that it is "new territory" what is the big draw. Seems like it sounds crowded, directionaly limited, and unless you are a history buff, like driving down a freeway and stopping at the rest stops.

What am I missing? Even doing the loop has limited appeal for me, and it seems like it should be more enticing, but doing it just to say I did it has no appeal. There are parts of it that seem interesting for what or where they are, (the manatee area in Florida, or the Everglades and seeing some of the wildlife, Crocs, gators or wild hogs, but even those are tempered some with the presence of snakes, bugs, humidity and skeeters.

This does seem like the year to do the canal cruising, so I am looking for motivation. I already apliied for the Canada Parks Pass.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

 

[ken35216]

I would love to take advantage of the Canadian promo package, and to see the Maratimes, and some of the canal systems. Other than that it is "new territory" what is the big draw. Seems like it sounds crowded, directionaly limited, and unless you are a history buff, like driving down a freeway and stopping at the rest stops.

What am I missing? Even doing the loop has limited appeal for me, and it seems like it should be more enticing, but doing it just to say I did it has no appeal. There are parts of it that seem interesting for what or where they are, (the manatee area in Florida, or the Everglades and seeing some of the wildlife, Crocs, gators or wild hogs, but even those are tempered some with the presence of snakes, bugs, humidity and skeeters.

This does seem like the year to do the canal cruising, so I am looking for motivation. I already apliied for the Canada Parks Pass.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

Sounds as if you are not easily impressed. What do you consider a good cruise?

 

[JamesTXSD]

Harvey, there are all kinds of cruising. Not every experience is each boater's cup of tea. I didn't find the Erie Canal or the Trent-Severn Waterway to be crowded. Oh, there were the occasional nights where a particular town wall was full (or nearly so), but as often as not, we were the only boat going through any particular lock.

The boating itself is certainly not boring; parts of it can be challenging. While your navigational skill may not be challenged, that isn't what the Loop or any portion of it is all about. Interesting history - each town we passed through had its own particular charm. From my perspective, this type of cruising isn't about distances or challenges as much as it is about learning about the history of the area... the challenges faced by those who built these waterways.

You know my attachment to the Pacific Northwest, our times in the Northeast US and Canada were every bit as appealing for us. The Erie Canal was one of my "bucket list" (not crazy about that term) items, and we found the Trent-Severn to be just as fun and even more scenic.

No, there weren't any dolphins or whales; if there were bears, we didn't see any. Other than taking the Hudson River down to New York City (which was another spectacular cruise), the San Juan Islands and Victoria Inner Harbour are far more crowded, both boats and people. And sometimes, the civilization is a very interesting part of the cruise.

The adventure depends on the attitude. I totally get the interest in the Loop - if it is to "check it off," that fulfills that person's desire. But what a spectacular way to learn about the history and immerse yourself in the culture of the area. Just blasting past all of it? No, that wouldn't be my interest, but there are plenty of people who are happy to have "driven by it." Doesn't make their way wrong, just different ways to invest the time you have.

You could spend a lifetime cruising the waters of the PNW. We ran into plenty of people in our NE cruise who spent multiple summers doing the New York and Canadian canal systems. And enjoying the heck out of it.

Different strokes.

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[ken35216]

Nice post Jim.

Our nation grew up around it's navigable waterways. Witnessing the history our our nation, from a boat, is magical to me.

Ken

 

[colbysmith]

If anyone is interested in having other boats join them on the Trent Severn, I'd like to cruise it sometime. I ordered the Canadian Park Pass, so this might be a good year to do it. I'm already committed in March and April with the boat (which is probably the wrong season for the TS anyway.) And I may join some others on a trip to Isle Royale in August, but other than that I'd enjoy a 2 week cruise on the Trent Severn. (Actually, a few days less, as I'd look at 2 weeks from home, with a few days travel towing the boat in both directions from the Madison WI area.) Perhaps a new thread should be started for anyone planning on doing the Trent Severn, that might be open to others joining in. Colby

 

[Two Bears]

Harvey, asked what is the “attraction” of the Canadian Historic Canals.
Both the T-S and the Rideau were built after the war of 1812 to provide a supply route safe from American invasion to central Canada from the business heart of Montreal & Quebec. Since they were made for the large freight hauling Voyageur Canoes the canals were built without a tow path (unlike the Eire canal) and thus could use lakes & rivers and so needed less work to build and maintain. The locks are hand operated with 6 to 8 foot lifts. That string of lakes and streams gives them a charm and beauty not found in a typical “towpath” canal, but you still have the small towns that welcome visitors. The locks are still hand operated and the locals bring out their lawn chairs to watch boats locking thru on weekends. With the string of lakes connected by short sections of river, canal & locks you have many good anchorages, wildlife & fishing as well as marinas and towns to visit & provision.

Penny and I attended the fall “looper” convention in 2011 wondering if we wanted to do the Great Loop. What we learned was that just getting around the loop is a big challenge. Each year about 300 boats start and only 100 finish. We quickly decided that the challenge to “do” the loop was not our bag. Instead we asked “gold loopers” what or where did you enjoy the most? We learned about three areas right off: 1) The western half of the Eire Canal, 2) the Rideau and Trent-Severin canals, and 3) Georgian Bay. As we had never heard of the two Canadian canals, we put those further down our bucket list and did the Eire Canal in August, 2013. We really enjoyed the Eire Canal, but it was quite warm = one morning at 6 AM it was 90 degrees and 90% humidity, devastating to westerners used to dry air. Our future plans try to avoid that.

In 2017 we plan to spend a month to six weeks in the two canals & eastern end of Georgian Bay. We can’t get free from Idaho before the middle of August. For us it’s 2,500 miles or 50 hours of trailering to the Kingston, ON area, which is a week depending how hard we push. Our thoughts at this time are to find a marina we can leave the truck & trailer so we can boat both directions returning to the truck as needed. We are planning to hang around as the weather cools until late September if the weather gods bless us.
We’d enjoy meeting any other boaters for all or part of the time.

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Harvey, we spend most of our summers bouncing around on Lake Erie. Most of the time we anchor out, cruise a bit, float around or visit a nearby marina for lunch, etc. Some days its too rough to anchor, some days its too rough to get up on plane, some days its too rough to even go out. I've gone out solo when I probably shouldn't have but enjoyed the challenge. The wife does not enjoy any rough conditions. 5 years ago it took us 7 hours to get home from Welland(53 miles), then ran out of gas within site of our marina.

So,,,,, the point to all this - when we started exploring The Trent we were amazed. Protected waterways, fuel, food, beautiful places to moor or anchor overnight, and all the other things Jim mentioned. We have spent 6 weeks on The Trent and still haven't finished it. We have actually gone from 1 lock to the next and said WOW this is beautiful lets stay here for a night.

Some of the most important recommendations I can make are;

Get an up to date "Ports Cruising Guide" - well worth the investment.

Have lines and fenders set up on both sides when approaching locks.

Have chafing gear for your stern line when mooring at the locks.

In my album I have added tips/suggestions as a description with each picture - you have to clic on each picture individually to read them. There's 100 of them so you might need coffee or something to keep you awake to get through them all.

Regards, Rob

 

[hardee]

Thanks to Jim, Ken, Colby, Chuck & Penny and Rob, for your thoughtful responses. OK, I could be interested, and will do some more looking into it before I decide.

I certainly agree, there are different types of cruising and different folks like different areas and for different reasons. For me, I enjoy some geographical point goals and the navigation challenges included. I also have been interested in finding wildlife and have spent hours searching and watching bears and whales.

Rob, I will be looking at you album, and also I will be checking "Halcyon Days" for El and Bill's perspective. I will have to admit that part of the "dis-appeal" is the cross country tow. Not that I mind towing, but not for a 2-4 week cruise, and I'm not going for the full summer yet. It is still early and summer plans are not in concrete yet, so will see what happens.

For those who are interested, and going, I hope to see plenty of reports and pictures, please.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[JamesTXSD]

Harvey, my friend, I hope none of us here made you feel you had to defend your style of cruising. Any recreational endeavor should be because you want to, not because you were convinced to. :wink:

I agree with you about a cross country tow for a relatively short cruise, but some feel that is part of the adventure. Their recreation, their decision. And just like the thread about "doing the Loop," there is no wrong way or right way, just the way each person chooses.

When you put it out there: "What am I missing?"... well, some are going to tell you... we have opinions, are we aren't afraid to use 'em! 8)

You live in a world class cruising area. I don't have to tell you that you could spend a lifetime exploring the Pacific Northwest and not see it all. And, going back to your favorite places?? Why would you do that - there are SO many new places??? Yes, I am kidding with you. :wink:

Sometimes, the best cruising is because of the weather... or who you were with... of the fact that there was no one else around... the amazing scenery... the wildlife... this history... the architecture.

I have to say that I would never want to live in a big city... but I enjoy visiting them for a time. When we did the Erie Canal/Hudson River/Trent-Severn waterway, a week in New York City with the boat at Liberty Landing Marina was truly unforgettable. Finding a real Texas BBQ place a couple blocks off the Erie Canal (after being away from Texas for a month or so at that point) in a small town. Meeting the delightful lady (whose husband is bridge tender) who brought us white-hots after reading in our blog that we didn't know what those were (I think she mostly came by to meet Izzy). The lock tender on the Trent-Severn who gave us an "inside tour" of the Peterborough Lift Lock before it opened for traffic for the day - then took our photo in the lock...



Being invited to attend an "end of the season" marina party (complete with an Elvis impersonator. A chance meeting with our Texas neighbor while staying on a town wall, waiting to see a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Poutine! The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Meeting other C-Brats in the area. New Jersey deli food. One of my favorite photos of little Izzy...



Each cruising experience is what you make of it. And don't get me started on all the interesting places you will pass by on your tow from the west to the east...



Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Casey]

Like Chuck and Penny, our summer plan is to cruise the T/S and the Rideau Canals. Although the 'plan is still pretty loose, we'll probably head North (from Florida) in mid-May. Working our way north, and hope to find some place around Kingston, ON to launch the boat and store the truck/trailer.

The T/S isn't a loop, so I suppose we'll end up exploring it up-then-back. Let's see, if we concentrate on stuff on the port side both ways we should see it all!

The Rideau will be sort of a loop if we follow the current north, then ride the locks (southbound) back to Kingston. ...unless we opt to do the whole mini-loop.

Any ideas or suggestions are certainly welcome!

...already starting to get anxious!

Best,
Casey&Mary