2017 Great time to explore Canada's Waterways
- Thread starter Robert H. Wilkinson
- Start date
Hi Jim, Thanks for sharing those high points and the great pix. And no need for any apology at all. I was really trying to be apologetic about not being excited about an area that is so popular and that many love. Being a bit shy and single handing mostly, I don't meet and mix with as many folks as you do, so I might might miss those contacts you make. I do enjoy the scenery, and the navigation aspects. Sometimes the logistics are challenging, but after nearly 3 months last summer, I think I can handle it.
I have been looking at Rob's album and there are certainly some interesting aspects to the canal cruising, (lift locks, rail rides, and side swapping - red on right then red on left and back again) that would keep it challenging.
I am not putting the canal cruising down, and hope no one feels I am putting them down for choosing that type of cruising. I was hoping to get comments about what folks liked and why, and that is working. As you mentioned, living where I do, I could spend the rest of my life in this area and not see it all, so I either need some pretty significant motivation to go east, or spend my resources investing in more local enticements. For me, the mountains, deep fjords, and tiny hidden anchorages are still a big draw even though there are plenty of other places to go as well.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
I have been looking at Rob's album and there are certainly some interesting aspects to the canal cruising, (lift locks, rail rides, and side swapping - red on right then red on left and back again) that would keep it challenging.
I am not putting the canal cruising down, and hope no one feels I am putting them down for choosing that type of cruising. I was hoping to get comments about what folks liked and why, and that is working. As you mentioned, living where I do, I could spend the rest of my life in this area and not see it all, so I either need some pretty significant motivation to go east, or spend my resources investing in more local enticements. For me, the mountains, deep fjords, and tiny hidden anchorages are still a big draw even though there are plenty of other places to go as well.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
ken35216":3hcbej94 said:
We didn't even put the dinghy on the boat for the Erie Canal portion - researching it showed me it wasn't necessary. I thought we'd use it on the Trent-Severn, but again, not necessary. We keep our itinerary pretty loose, so always had the dinghy as an option. In places like the Pacific Northwest and Florida, where we anchored out more than marina stays, the dinghy was a must-have for our needs... the Erie, Hudson River, and Trent-Severn: always seemed to be able to find a city wall, lock outer wall, or handy marina.
For planning purposes: most of the towns along the Erie Canal had free or very inexpensive town walls to tie to; walls outside the locks were no charge to overnight. Showers were often available near the town walls. Some had electricity for free or an inexpensive charge.
The locks and city walls on the Trent-Severn all charged; no power, no water, but most had restrooms (with hot water). Unlike cruising in the PNW, absolutely NO pumping out in Canadian waters and marina pump-outs were pricey.
You don't have to provision heavily, because there are plenty of grocery and restaurant options near the canals.
Yeah, the Great Loop sounds boring :xlol
"America's Great Loop is the longest, safest continuous navigable waterway in the World... You can boat over 6,000 miles and end up right where you started without ever making a U-turn. It also overs an additional 23,000 miles of connecting navigable inland rivers and waterways - just for your boating pleasure, and what an adventure it is!
Along the way, you will cruise North as near the Artic Circle as you will South near the Tropics of the Equator. You will cruise by: 59 Forts & Fortresses, 52 National Parks, past 48 Lighthouses, 46 Historical sites, to 42 of the top 50 vacation spots, 8 of the top 10 U.S. and 8 of the top 10 Canada travel destinations, thru 7 of the top 10 Retirement destinations, and through 22 or more U.S. States, past Civil War battlefields, Pirate Ship wrecks, and to 5 of the largest Flea Markets in the United States (if you're into that kind of thing)."
"America's Great Loop is the longest, safest continuous navigable waterway in the World... You can boat over 6,000 miles and end up right where you started without ever making a U-turn. It also overs an additional 23,000 miles of connecting navigable inland rivers and waterways - just for your boating pleasure, and what an adventure it is!
Along the way, you will cruise North as near the Artic Circle as you will South near the Tropics of the Equator. You will cruise by: 59 Forts & Fortresses, 52 National Parks, past 48 Lighthouses, 46 Historical sites, to 42 of the top 50 vacation spots, 8 of the top 10 U.S. and 8 of the top 10 Canada travel destinations, thru 7 of the top 10 Retirement destinations, and through 22 or more U.S. States, past Civil War battlefields, Pirate Ship wrecks, and to 5 of the largest Flea Markets in the United States (if you're into that kind of thing)."
Barry Rietz
New member
Last cruising season there was controversy over our "porta-potties" being legal in Canadian waters. Does anyone know what laws or rules will be in force in the various Canadian locations this upcoming summer season?
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
hardee":s1qq2ldn said:
Harvey, now you've got me wishing I could snap my fingers and be on the west coast sampling your waters!
I do understand your hesitance to tow across 2 countries for a 2 week cruise.Chuck/Penny, Will C launched in Trenton last year - he may have a suggestion as to a launch site. One advantage to going both ways is you can mark places to stop on your return trip. On your return - after Labour day the lock hours are cut and also marina hours(for fuel, etc.) You will have your choice of moorings though.
Brent/Dixie and Colby, the locks are open mid May to mid Oct. They are busiest in July and Aug. and yes they probably will be busier than normal next summer during those months. Some locks more so than others. The Ports Cruising guide includes a chart showing the number of boats locked through each lock each month the previous year. This will give you an idea which locks are the busiest.
Jim, first picture on page 4 of my album - is that the same lock attendant you met in Peterborough?
Ken 35216, I've seen those pics before - they are amazing. They were taken in Port Stanley, not far from me on the hard - by water though a long way around the Longpoint Tip. Those pics capture the essence of Lake Erie - confused chop coming at you from every direction with no apparent reason. :?
Casey/Mary, pm sent
Barry, email sent
Thanks for all the reply's - sounds like a lot of brats have a great summer lined up.
Regards, Rob
Rob, If that finger snap thing works, I’d be glad to show you around some fun, cool places. Unless you can work it to get me there when you come here, then we’re both screwed.
I cruised with Dave and his wife some last summer, from Powell River up to Princes Louisa, and with Chuck and Penny a couple of years ago after Friday Harbor, and over to Sidney. I have been reading notes here about cruising there, and the Trent-Severn and the Rideau Canals are beginning to sound more interesting. So I’m not excluding them from planning, but it might not happen this summer. Bummer, because I’d like to take advantage of the Canadian Anniversary bonuses, just have other things to consider as well. Guess I still have some (a lot of) planning and research to do.
Casey, thanks for the tips on the cruise plan:
“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. “
Will continue the research. Thanks again Rob for the good album notes.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
I cruised with Dave and his wife some last summer, from Powell River up to Princes Louisa, and with Chuck and Penny a couple of years ago after Friday Harbor, and over to Sidney. I have been reading notes here about cruising there, and the Trent-Severn and the Rideau Canals are beginning to sound more interesting. So I’m not excluding them from planning, but it might not happen this summer. Bummer, because I’d like to take advantage of the Canadian Anniversary bonuses, just have other things to consider as well. Guess I still have some (a lot of) planning and research to do.
Casey, thanks for the tips on the cruise plan:
“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. “
Will continue the research. Thanks again Rob for the good album notes.
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Aboard our TomCat this summer, we spent 3 weeks on the T/S and the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and then back to Lake Michigan by way of the North Channel.
Some thoughts:
First, this was our first, but by no means our last time in these parts. We have spent decades visiting the North Channel, which is a separate topic to itself, but this was our first time in that part of Georgian Bay and the T/S. These are must trips. We had intended to do both the T/S and the Rideau but elected to do only about 3/4 of the T/S and then back-track to Port Severn, going from there north on the small craft channel along Georgian Bay. Our rationale was that after we counted the number of locks, we re-considered our original plan.
Both the T/S and the Rideau boast about 45 locks each (that's 90 locks one way if doing both canal systems. That's a LOT of locks. As it turned out, we did 45 locks in our up/back trip- that was plenty for one trip, for us.
We plan to visit one canal system per year.
Second, there are many, many opportunities to anchor, though it doesn't require a dinghy- we did not take ours.
Third, the scenery is spectacular, constantly changing. The townsfolk are the best. Marinas are available and we had no difficulty finding a place, in part because we start early and end early. Opportunity to fuel up is no problem. Staying on the walls by the locks works and many but not all have Hydro (the word they use for power) and bathroom facilities.
The season is a big issue for planning. These northern waters don't really warm until July (the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay). 2 years ago there was still ice in Grand Traverse Bay (northern Lake Michigan) the first week of May. The T/S doesn't open till mid-may and closes mid-Oct, a fairly short season. The canals and inland lakes warm earlier. We went mid-Aug through mid-Sept. Delightful weather, water warm. By mid Sept this part of the country gets windy and cold. Our marina in Muskegon michigan closes Oct 15.
While we were there in August I felt it was moderately busy on the weekends in the tourist towns but fairly quiet during the week. Certainly after Labor Day, things really quiet. June would be fine (before the family vacations begin), but prepare to dress warm or wear shorts/ both needed.
I would agree- 2017 may be busier.
Conclusion, this is not to be missed. Sorry about this long post.
Jeff
Some thoughts:
First, this was our first, but by no means our last time in these parts. We have spent decades visiting the North Channel, which is a separate topic to itself, but this was our first time in that part of Georgian Bay and the T/S. These are must trips. We had intended to do both the T/S and the Rideau but elected to do only about 3/4 of the T/S and then back-track to Port Severn, going from there north on the small craft channel along Georgian Bay. Our rationale was that after we counted the number of locks, we re-considered our original plan.
Both the T/S and the Rideau boast about 45 locks each (that's 90 locks one way if doing both canal systems. That's a LOT of locks. As it turned out, we did 45 locks in our up/back trip- that was plenty for one trip, for us.
We plan to visit one canal system per year.
Second, there are many, many opportunities to anchor, though it doesn't require a dinghy- we did not take ours.
Third, the scenery is spectacular, constantly changing. The townsfolk are the best. Marinas are available and we had no difficulty finding a place, in part because we start early and end early. Opportunity to fuel up is no problem. Staying on the walls by the locks works and many but not all have Hydro (the word they use for power) and bathroom facilities.
The season is a big issue for planning. These northern waters don't really warm until July (the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay). 2 years ago there was still ice in Grand Traverse Bay (northern Lake Michigan) the first week of May. The T/S doesn't open till mid-may and closes mid-Oct, a fairly short season. The canals and inland lakes warm earlier. We went mid-Aug through mid-Sept. Delightful weather, water warm. By mid Sept this part of the country gets windy and cold. Our marina in Muskegon michigan closes Oct 15.
While we were there in August I felt it was moderately busy on the weekends in the tourist towns but fairly quiet during the week. Certainly after Labor Day, things really quiet. June would be fine (before the family vacations begin), but prepare to dress warm or wear shorts/ both needed.
I would agree- 2017 may be busier.
Conclusion, this is not to be missed. Sorry about this long post.
Jeff
Barry Rietz
New member
Jeff, Sounds like you have done what I hope to do next summer! Would you care to comment on current "porta-pottie" requirements in Canadian waters? Last year there were rumors of boats being impounded for not having a permanently installed holding tank! Thanks.....
colbysmith
Active member
I too am interested in cruising on the Trent Severn this year, and brought the following thread back to life for anyone else interested, or willing to share.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=24155&highlight=
Colby
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=24155&highlight=
Colby
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
Application to receive a National Park Pass can be found going to - "www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca"
Just checked the website - lock passes are "coming soon"
Rob
Just checked the website - lock passes are "coming soon"
Rob
Hey, Harvey - when we did the Trent-Severn, the lock pass was based on day-usage. They had a seasonal pass, or you could buy a one week or two week pass, as I recall. The days on the pass were not consecutive, i.e. if you stopped for a few days in one place, nothing was marked off your pass. And, you may transit several locks in one day, all covered on that day's check-off.
There was also a separate charge, per night, if you tied off on the wall outside the locks.
Hope that explains it.
Jim
There was also a separate charge, per night, if you tied off on the wall outside the locks.
Hope that explains it.
Jim
Robert H. Wilkinson
New member
hardee":1sgc38s6 said:
Not sure how they will work that. Seems like a waste of paper if its free anyway but they are requiring people to apply for a park pass. Just keep checking the website and I guess we will see when "coming soon" comes!
Regards, Rob
Jim, Thanks and yes it does explain it. The day pass concept makes sense, if you do the math and the miles. Takes some preplanning, which I hate to have to do when traveling here to there on a boat, but then, the canal weather and conditions are probably more predictable the Juan de Fuca.
Rob, Thanks too. I have applied for a "Parks Pass" but didn't know anything about the "Locks Pass".
Agree, if it free, why duplicate the paper and the provision process, but...... might have something to do with a/the government.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Rob, Thanks too. I have applied for a "Parks Pass" but didn't know anything about the "Locks Pass".
Agree, if it free, why duplicate the paper and the provision process, but...... might have something to do with a/the government.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
colbysmith
Active member
Just received my Canadian Parks pass that I ordered earlier. Still waiting for the lock passes to become available. Colby