crusing the trent severn

Dave, thanks for the book offer. Actually I just ordered the newest Ports Cruising Guide for the Trent Severn and Lake Simcoe. And while my 2015 garmin charts on my GPSMAP 840xs do not show the Trent Severn, I have been told by Garmin that their current charts do and they are sending me an update card with them. And thanks everyone else for all the info! Almost not sure if I'll get public replies here, but anyone have any issues using just a porta potty? I have no desire to change mine out. Colby
 
Hi Dave,

What a good idea: Get the rig to where you're going to haul out at the end. I've always just left the rig where we launch then have to deal with getting my rig back to the boat when I'm worn out from cruising.

I'm thinking of doing the T/S this summer. Where did you launch & keep the boat in Trenton, and where did you put your rig in Severn?

Rick
 
Colby,
Here is the link to the official gov't link- scrolling way down are the rules regarding porta potti etc- not allowed. Lot of good info on this site.
Hope this helps. Also shows the facilities that have have bathrooms, distance between, etc.
Hope this helps,
Jeff
 
Rick,
We launched in Trenton right across the river from what was the brand new Frazer Park Marina. The ramps are free in a park almost directly across from the river. It was recommended by a local to use the upper one which if you are at the ramps staring at the river the upper ones would be to your right. The other ramps are shoaled up a little. Score on the rental car first leave it at the marina. Then go over launch then get tied up at the marina and use the rental car to get back to your tow rig. The marina did have free use of washing machines including free detergent as they required special detergents. Walking distance to stores and restaurants. However it was a pretty long walk from the transient dock to get back on land again. Big place. I think they have fire works there from time to time.
We parked our rig in Port Severn at the Driftwood Café. THIS IS JUST BEFORE LOCK 45. They offer pump outs, dockage and have the best ramp in the area. I think our rig parking was $50.00 FOR OUR TRIP. There are docks and they will take you to your truck via golf cart. Nice people the food there is reportedly the best in the area. We never ate there as it was not open at the time we were there. It is only about a three hour drive to Little Current if you wanted to go see the Benjamin Islands and did not have the time to take the island route via boat to get there. The people on this whole trip are and were the best. Safe Travels
D.D.
 
Thanks all!
Colby,
seems all portapotties are illegal in Ontario waters.
Perhaps they might confiscate your boat and insist you get a new TC255 from Marc Grove and have it shipped up, and all would be good.

"Topic: Sewage Restrictions
Question: Help Keep Our Waterways Clean
Response: There are restrictions against pumping sewage into all waters with the province of Ontario. A pleasure craft fitted with a toilet must also be fitted with a holding tank and if fitted with a piping system that allows the discharge of sewage directly overboard, then this discharge must be visibly disconnected. Sewage may only be discharged at shore pump-out facilities.
Portable toilets are illegal on Ontario waters.
The owner of a pleasure craft shall ensure that each toilet and the holding tank(s) is/are installed so that;
The toilet and equipment are connected in such a manner that the equipment receives all toilet waste from the toilet.
Equipment designed for the storage of human excrement is provided with a deck fitting and such connecting piping as is necessary for the removal of toilet waste by shore-based pumping equipment.
No means of removal of toilet waste is provided other than the means mentioned above. "

The Garmin basemap is pretty naked compared to Garmin Canada LakeVu HD chip, which has a red line to follow along the TSW and red dotted lines for side trips. Hmmm, I wouldn't be without it as there are a Lot of opportunities for wrong turns (ck plotter compatibility, I bought this one as compatible with the 4212 before buying the 8212).

I used Active Captain (in conjunction with Google maps, which has better resolution when trying to zoom in on a ramp, marina parking, etc). It seems to me that the first 12 or so locks out of Trenton until Rice Lake have bad or neutral reviews. Granted, some of these are Great Loop snobs on rides over 50 feet.
Unlike you, I need a deep ramp (like DD, thanks Dave). I'm considering launching at Harris Boat Works on Rice Lake, which advertises the best ramp and plenty of boat/rig parking for a price.

http://harrisboatworks.ca/

The ramp picture for Hastings Village Marina looks sketchy for a TC255.

http://www.hastingsvillage.ca/marina.html

We'd rent a car at Harris, I'd tow the rig to Driftwood Cove Marina resort (Port Severn) with Eileen following in the rental (thanks again Dave), store the rig there.

http://driftwoodcove.com/

Take the rental car to a side trip to Toronto (<80 miles) for the guided bike tour and maybe a coach trip to Niagara Falls and a night or 2 at a lakefront hotel. Return to Harris (or Hastings if they claim their ramp can launch a TC255) and start the waterway adventure back to Driftwood cove short of lock #45.

Then explore Georgian Bay small craft passage (red line on the Garmin chip) for 3-5 days or 5-10 or whatever. Return to Base Driftwood, pull the boat and start the 1,500 miles back home.

We have only experienced one lock in our entire boating life, so going through 20 or 40 or whatever should be plenty for this one-way trip (not counting Georgian Bay and 30,00 Islands). I like the idea of not back-tracking, esp through locks.

Eileen is my co-pilot and verbally clears all merging lanes ('clear right'), calls out the wireless trailer tire pressure/temp numbers every 30 min or so and announces any upcoming hazards on Waze (highly recommended). At my rigs most comfy zen zone of 60-62 MPH (10,600 # trailer, 18,000# rig total), we can make 500-600 miles per day with a 15 min walk break every 2 hours.

Happy Planning!
John
 
It would seem that a porta-potti would be a better alternative than nothing at all. "Hmmm, no toilet..., I guess I'll just have to stand near the gunwale and hope the wind is blowing the right way..."

I'm willing to bet that even those equipped with a proper toilet wiz over the side when the opportunity presents itself rather than filling up the holding tank quicker than necessary.

Then again, in the US anyway, you are required to have an alternate method to "dewater" the boat (i.e. a bucket). I could just as easily use it to "dewater" myself.

"Hey, what did you just dump over the side there?"
"Well Officer, my boat had a some excess water in it that I had to get rid of."
 
We have made four trips into Canada. Two with a C-Dory with a porta potty. We went up the St John River in New Brunswick, And the second we went up from NYC to the Chambly Canal. One border crossing via car and the second via boat on the Richelieu River.
On our Ranger Tug we did the Trent Severn in 2015 crossed in via road and this year left from Bellingham and crossed into Canada. We checked in to Canada in Poets Cove by boat. We stayed on mooring balls in marine parks on a couple occasions paying park folks who came by boat. In none of the above instances did anyone ever ask about our toilet facilities. You can as you like but I myself did not worry about it as we only used the porta potty for emergencies. We dumped as soon as we could after using it in a public bathroom. We did up size from the normal 2.5 gallon tank to a model with a 5 gallon holding tank. Not meaning to be crude but I use a 64 oz orange juice container as my go to wiz receptacle. Love that auto pilot. I dump it when I hit the shower. My wife uses a Janey type female arrangement that was suggested by small plane travelers as a way to get around having to stand out on the wing when nature calls.. I'm not one to disobey laws but, I have gone over the speed limit, tore off mattress tags just because they said do remove under penalty of the law, under age drinking, J walking, not getting a dog license, taking more alcohol in to Canada than was allowed maybe. I could go on but you see where this is going. You just have to be cool about it. Don't do the crime unless you can do the time.
In the clink.
D.D.
 
John;
We used the Garmin chip for both the TS and the Georgian Bay 30000 islands and found it to be necessary and accurate. To do the 30000 islands makes a lot of sense. What time do you plan on the T/S travel?
Jeff[/quote]
 
The latest Garmin charts, at least for the GPSMAP 840xs, do have detailed data for Canada as well as the US. So they do cover the Trent Severn! (I just updated mine, so I know. :-)
 
Dave, received the PortsCruising Guide. Thanks!

We're beginning T/S cruise planning, and I must admit to some misgivings re the Ontario Porta Potty reg's. I'd hate for this to be a deal-breaker, but frankly I'm not going to replumb the CC23 with some kind of half-assed deck pump out that might in itself cause problems. The PortaPotty has worked great for hundreds of cruising days (and nights), and No I'm simply not a polluter. Far from it.

Would appreciate other folks private perspectives. PM or email me if appropriate. Would like to know what is the Real 'skinny.

Dave - I already realized you were a bit of an anarchist; but My God, cutting-off the tags from pillows and mattresses?!!! Not to mention the other things you admitted-to. Next thing you know you'll be raising the skull and crossbones, putting a dagger in your mouth and terrorizing downtown Pittsburg! You devil.

Best,
C&M
 
I have been reading about the canals and ran across a comment that the Trent Severn and maybe in other Canadian lock systems do not allow single handing through. I just called Parks Canada/Trent Severn and was told by the nice lady "Chiristine" that it was true. Single handing in the entire system is not permitted. Does anyone have any knowledge of the validity of that in practice?

Book referred to is "Crossing the Wake" by Tanya Binford, who single handed a Ranger 25 through the system, taking on a "crew" for a few of the locks, but not for all. It's a pretty good read, showed up in my mailbox, came from Amazon and I didn't buy it, didn't know about it or I would have and can't find out who sent it, so paraphrasing the great George Burns, "Thanks Gracie, wherever you are."

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMGP1872.thumb.jpg
 
As to applying to portapotties, I found this somewhat unrelated note regarding alcohol consumption while on the TS canal system.

Topic: Alcohol Consumption
Question: Consumption of Alcohol
Response: Alcohol may be consumed on board the pleasure craft if it meets all of the following conditions:

The vessel has permanent sleeping facilities
The vessel has permanent cooking facilities
The vessel has a permanent toilet
The vessel is anchored or secured alongside a dock

Wont make any difference for me but some of you PP users might want to reconsider your cruising plans :shock: :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
Topic: Sewage Restrictions
Question: Help Keep Our Waterways Clean
Response: There are restrictions against pumping sewage into all waters with the province of Ontario. A pleasure craft fitted with a toilet must also be fitted with a holding tank and if fitted with a piping system that allows the discharge of sewage directly overboard, then this discharge must be visibly disconnected. Sewage may only be discharged at shore pump-out facilities.

Portable toilets are illegal on Ontario waters.

The owner of a pleasure craft shall ensure that each toilet and the holding tank(s) is/are installed so that;

The toilet and equipment are connected in such a manner that the equipment receives all toilet waste from the toilet.
Equipment designed for the storage of human excrement is provided with a deck fitting and such connecting piping as is necessary for the removal of toilet waste by shore-based pumping equipment.
No means of removal of toilet waste is provided other than the means mentioned above.
All parts of the system for removal of toilet waste are congruent with one another and the boat.
Click to expand...

The above post came from this web site, and there is considerable more about PP’s and onboard sewage systems in the section. It is set up as a Q&A.

https://www.trentsevern.com/index.php/tool-kit/faqs

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
As to single handing, I found this from the same web site.

Topic: Travel
Question: I'm planning a cruise from Orillia to Midland. I may travel by myself. If alone, is there any problem travelling through the locks and big chute? Would the lock personel help with the boat lines?
Response: It can be done. The lockmasters are very helpful when they see you need a hand. I have done it on a 23' boat. I pulled forward with the bow line in my hand and pulled it through the cable then backed up so my stern was even with the back cable. Leaving the engine on I would go to the back and pull that line through. Once I had both lines pulled through I would cut the engine.

Since you will be going down all the way, the lockmasters can help you. If you are planning on returning, they cannot assist you when you are going up since you would be too far down in the lock.
Click to expand...
So for those of you who have been through, practically speaking, is it feasible to single-hand a 22? Is there any kind of enforcement applied to those who do single hand, if in fact is really is Illegal? Whats the real scoop?

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

HH_Cal_09_07_Jul.thumb.jpg
 
I'm with Casey on wanting the real skinny on porta potty's. I have had one fellow brat PM me with his thoughts. And while I post openly here that I have no intention of plumbing, even if that means forgetting about the T/S, if anyone has some experience with this that doesn't want to share here publicly, please PM me. Casey, when are you looking at going? I haven't set any dates yet. But thinking August or September might be good. Colby
 
Regarding single-handing: At the Big Chute Railway, I was blown away by how cool that was. Once through, I dropped Joan off so she could get some photos, then rode back through it single-handed, no issue. Then, back through again... the railway tenders (lock tenders?) had a bit of a chuckle over that.

WBBC4e.jpg

Many of the locks on the Trent-Severn are "historic"... by that I mean: they are hand cranked. Another lock on there had quite a rise/drop. The filling process was more turbulent than the emptying process, and there were times I was glad we had one on the bow and one in the cockpit. I would think with a 22, it would be easier to single-hand, even with the turbulence.

The lock masters on the T-S were handing out wildlife cards when we were there... kinda like baseball cards, but with bit of info about different species. Very cool. On both the T-S and all of the New York Canal System locks, the lock masters were very friendly and helpful. Doesn't hurt to have a bag full of fun size candy bars or something else as a "thank you."

-------------

A lock master "walking in circles" to open the flow...

ManualLockE.jpg
 
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