Trent-Severn 2009

[BRAZO]

Last year we had thought about going from our home port of Sturgeon Bay to the Trent-Severn, but our 32' Sundowner Tug would take too long to get there and back with the required "weather windows" to cross Lake Michigan and Lake Huron -- plus my wifes work schedule. We did go to the North Channel in 2006 for 2 months (http://www.northchannel.blogspot.com), but the Trent-Severn would be a bit farther.

So, now that we have the new 22' C-Dory we plan on making the trip in 2009. The rough draft plan is to go via land to somewhere around Petersborough and launch the boat there. We would then cruise east and then come back west and cross the middle where the truck/trailer would be parked. The reason for this would be to make the "return" schedule easier -- meaning we would always be within 1/2 the distance back to the truck.


Questions:

-- does anyone have suggestions on where to park the truck/trailer for the 10+ days that we will be cruising?

-- does the lock stations allow overnight/weekly parking for a fee?

-- any thoughts on the plan to start in the middle and go one way and back the other way?


Thanks for your help

[helm]

We just passed through the Trent Severn last summer. Many people think the portion of the canal system from Petersborough west is the nicest, and you could consider heading west into the Georgian Bay if you have time rather than spending all your time in the canals. All the locking thru can get kind of old.
I would think any local marina where you are going to launch will be happy to store your truck and trailer until you return.
You can pay to stay on the lock walls at the lock stations each day you decide to spend the night there and I think that gives you the most flexibility as most of the towns along the way offer free stays on their town walls and most towns will have electicity and water for you, while the lock stations tend to lack services and be a little more remote.
Eric

[journey on]

We took Journey On through the Trent Severn Canal in 2007. At least the western 1/2. We parked the truck/trailer in two places: In Orilla (free,) whilst we went between Orilla and Petersburgh. And at Penetanguishene ($40?) after we went from Orilla to Georgian Bay. The other places wanted more to store the truck than for a slip.

Here's a ling to the story of that trip: Trent-Severn Canal. It was a beautiful trip, but we thought the Erie Canal was the best of the two, because there was more early USA history. Just be sure you do both.

Boris