Cruising the Florida Keys

Cruising the Florida Keys

Cruising the Florida Keys

Dismal Swamp area by car

Gulf Islands adventure cruise, Perdido Key

Approaching Jacksonville, FL and ancient rusted hulk creaky CXS RR bridge that looks like something out of Star Wars

Charleston, SC city dock after squall on JAX to MYR ATL ICW adventure

Rideau Fulton (Canada Triangle Loop) lock and wall, Skipper Bob claims suitable for yachts up to 42 ft, we disagree since our yacht is under 28 ft and docking along the pier is prohibited

Rideau Lock wall resting spot (Canada Triangle Loop)

This is why a max 5 ft draft is rec'd on the NY and Canada canals! It may be less, we saw 2.6 feet in one lock exit.

Typical Canada Historic Canal with plastic coated cables for boaters to tie to front and aft.

My proudest parallel boat parking challenge ever between these two boats!

Typical Canada lock wall in July-Aug. Locals on Hoidaze just met us in the lock but invited us to stay at their private dock with power and water!
Friendly Canada neighbors as always!
Fly your courtesy Canada flag above your US flag per custom.

Massive Carillon Lock has a 200 ton guillotine door on the lower side...unique!

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/qc/canalcarillon/activ/navigation/eclusage-lockage

More Keys Cruising...amazing water colors!

Lachine Canal through Montreal, you must get your air hgt under 8 ft, but the best way around the rapids. We took off the radar dome (2 quick disconnects and one ethernet cable)...well worth it! Avoid the awful slow and $$$ Seaway commerical ship locks.

West end of Lachine canal through Montreal, 8 ft air hgt required us to remove radar dome

Richelieu typical lock, showing why 5.5 ft is the max draft advised. Maneuver in for Eileen to take the bow cable, and me the aft cable. All the ancient valves and gates are turned by hand, mainly college kids on summer break but all very polite and friendly

Ottawa top of the 'flight of 8 locks'. We were moved to the front to fit in a 'tiny' spot to max the throughput by amazing lockmasters

Too many 'loopers' worry about self sufficiency, in reality it's more like a caravan of Airstream owners going 6 MPH from one campground/marina to the next, 3 boat lengths away and locking together as 'lock-mates'

Descending in the Ottawa 'flight of 8 locks', #1 with view of govt buildings

Canada wall stop with village shops...all have a 'creamery', butter tarts and history

Locking into a lake, here the lockmaster tosses down lines to you rather than you tying around fixed cables. The guides tell you what to expect, but it's better to be prepared for anything.

Triangle Loop adventure marina