crusing the trent severn

I've thought about finding some water out east to play on too. lol. SO rather than sending the info private or talking on the phone (which you can do to), post it here for all to see! BTW, enjoyed the first two links! After looking at, wonder if there are ever any gatherings on the waterway?
Colby
 
Slewfoot, you won 't be disappointed - cruising The Trent is hands down the most enjoyable boating I have done. I have spent 6 weeks(4 trips) on it, always at the beginning of September. During July and August it can get busy - making it necessary to stop for the day earlier to find a spot on the lock wall. We just prefer the quieter, slower pace after Labour day. June may be a little warmer and not too busy as well.

The Parks Canada website will give you prices and can point you to a lot of information. Also Tourism Ontario will be happy to send you any info you need. Recommend getting a copy of the Ports Cruising Guide. I have posted a Trent album - with comments but you have to click on each picture to read them. Feel free to send me a pm if you have any questions.

Colby, I don't think I will get back to The Trent this year but I would love to see a CB get together or convoy either on The Trent or Rideau - maybe next year??

Regards, Rob
 
Hi Slewfoot,
We are less than a week away from commencing the Trent Severn Waterway, as part of our Great Loop. We blog daily on balakera.com so you could follow our experiences there.
Derrick
 
We did the Trent Severn last year. I searched for a place to get a decent exchange rate for converting U.S dollars to Canadian dollars before the trip.
We ended up setting up a checking account with T.D. Bank which is Canadian owned. The exchange rate seemed to be the best we could find. The debit card which came with the account can be used in Canada using an ATM at the many TD bank locations along the way for no charge. You can withdraw up to 760 dollars per day. They can't provide balance information while in Canada. We just kept track with the check registrar. We found the exchange rate to change as the currencies sometimes daily. When returned, we took our Canadian dollars to a TD bank and they credited them per the current exchange back into our account. They will only handle the paper money (plastic up there). They did not want to exchange any coins like loonies and tooneys and any coins of lesser value.
On a previous trips going into a Canadian bank proved to be a mistake as they add on crazy charges, a real loser for us. Just a FYI
D.D.
 
In the past, with both Canada and Mexico, I've always just used my Discover or Master Card (insure the Master card of your choice does not tack on international charges. Capitol One does, so we dropped that card.). The card's automatically apply the current exchange rate, and other than a call once or twice (because we forgot to notify the card company earlier) to authorize charges so far away from home, we experienced no problems. A bigger issue was use of cell phone... We just didn't. :mrgreen: Colby
 
Cash is king so they say. If you get away from the tourist traps there are places of business that don't except credit cards like local farmers markets and small businesses. If credit cards are your sole source for paying for things fine, but I always want to have a little cash on hand. I just wanted to mention another route. Credit cards don't work every where which is why I suggested the TD Bank ATM route if you saw the need to carry some cash.
D.D.
 
It has been many years since we cruised that delightful waterway. It is a special place. Have a wonderful cruise through beautiful country occupied by fine people. Take your time, kick back, and simply enjoy. Hope your weather is good. If it gets rainy, anchor out, and relax. Our best to you. El and Bill
 
Bringing this thread back to life as I would like to cruise the Trent Severn this summer, but hoping maybe there is someone else, or a few others looking to do the same. Ideally, this would happen some time during the months of Jun-Sep. And would be 5-10 days on the water.

I have looked through a couple other threads, but always nice to get the most up to date information. My questions right up front would be where's the best place to start/end (ie, need rig parking while on the water, and some where to launch/retrieve.) and what's really the deal with porta-potties on boats. (I have no desire to change mine to a pump out style, or to leave it behind.)

Colby
 
We are planning for a summer on the T/S and Rideau as well, so will monitor this thread to pick up whatever is available. Thanks.

Best,
Basey&Mary
 
Nice links and fun posts. Good info here. Hope I can do this. Lots to consider, as I'm not adding a pumpout onto a 22 either.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
Colby/Casey/Slewfoot,
Doing the TS in Sept (5-10 days seems hurried to me, Colby) sounds like a hoot.
Added bonus, in 2017 the lock passages are free due to our Canuck friends 150th (that is worth about $240 each way). 'Mooring' by a lock is not included.
I'm sure your pumpout questions have been addressed as MANY sim boats have passed through.
I'd advocate a one-way passage with pick-up of trailers on one end or the other.
Happy Planning!
Hoot!
John
 
gulfcoast john":a2t136dn said:
Colby/Casey/Slewfoot,
Doing the TS in Sept (5-10 days seems hurried to me, Colby)
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Doing the entire T/S end to end and back in 10 days would require cruising an average of close to 50 miles and 9 locks per day(480miles and 88 locks). Not much time to smell the flowers along the way! Don't forget many of the channels are speed restricted as well(6mph). Some are actively patrolled - Orillia to Port Severn. Also in Sept. the lock hours are cut back. We started in the middle(Bobcaygeon) twice - from there to Lakefield first then next time from there to Port Severn. Last time we started in Lakefield. They have a free launch and free rig parking. No dock at the ramp though, you have to get on your boat have partner back you in and drive boat off then meet them at the town docks(where rig parking is).

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Added bonus, in 2017 the lock passages are free due to our Canuck friends 150th (that is worth about $240 each way).
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Just to clarify for those planning for other years - this would be the price for a seasons pass which is good mid May to mid Oct. at any of the locks operated by Parks Canada. I think it is about $8.80CAD per foot. They do offer one way passes, single lock passes and 5 day passes(as many locks as you can do in each day - not necessarily consecutive). If you purchase a cheaper pass and find you want to upgrade to a seasons pass they will let you pay the difference for one upgrade.

Regards, Rob
 
Rob, would 8 or so days be a little more reasonable if one were just going one way? I've heard a few say to start at one end, with the rig at the other, and just go one way. Colby
 
colbysmith":153rkhqd said:
Rob, would 8 or so days be a little more reasonable if one were just going one way? I've heard a few say to start at one end, with the rig at the other, and just go one way. Colby
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Colby, 8 days one way is quite reasonable. That would be 30 miles and 5.5 locks per day average. Some sections the locks are quite close together - some with flight locks back to back. Other days you will go for more miles with less locks.

Yes lots go 1 way - Will C launched in Trenton last year. After launching he drove his rig to Port Severn and drove a rental car back to Trenton to begin his cruise. Not sure if he got the car in Trenton or Port Severn. Some of the larger rental company's may offer 1 way rentals. There is also a bus that runs between Port Severn and Trenton. I looked into that for another Cbrat a few years ago - it was a lengthy bus ride with a transfer if I recall correctly.

If you have/get the Ports cruising guide - it has pictures and gives you lots of info on each lock, marina, area you will pass through. You can go through it and get an idea of which locks or area you might enjoy staying at. This way you can sort of "pencil" in your days.

For 8 days you would not need a seasons mooring pass. I think my boat(20') was only $15. per night. There are some free town docks available(Coboconk for example). There are also options to anchor - east shore of Big Island(Pigeon Lake) is considered the best on the Trent. It is crowded with houseboats in July and Aug. though. Lots of marina's to visit as well if you need to recharge batteries, have a hot shower, etc. If you are cruising early or late season don't hesitate to ask marina's if they offer an "off season" rate - many do. In high season(July, Aug.) a lot of marina's will charge you a 25' minimum slip fee. If your slip has hydro/water most will charge you for it whether you use it or not.

Regards, Rob
 
Another idea: We started at Port Severn and traveled to Lakefield (19 locks) and then reversed back to PS (38 total). This was our first transit on the T/S. There is so much to take in that it seemed like a totally new experience on the return leg. We did purchase the annual pass: $8.80/ft= 207 for our TomCat.
We did this in about 10 days, during later August. We will likely return and repeat this trip next summer, adding a few more days and see a few things we missed the first trip. We stayed in several marinas, anchored some, and stayed on the lock walls some. The variety was good. First come, first serve on the walls. We would call ahead a day if marinas. We would generally be settled by early afternoon and did not encounter problems finding a spot. The "locals", as everywhere, come out in greater numbers on the weekends.

We elected this float plan because of our desire to additionally travel north along the east coast of Georgian Bay through portions of the Small Boat Channel and the 30,000 islands (yes, that's correct- it is 30,000). No question this is worth it and not much further, basically beginning at Port Severn. The change to open water cruising was a nice change of pace after the river/locks travel, the scenery, again, amazing. Anchorages abundant and also great marina choices. You could add another 7-10 days to do that cycle and back to PS.
Happy New Year to all,
Jeff and Beth Ritsema (out of Muskegon Michigan)
 
We got the car in Trenton and my wife followed me to Port Severn. Then I drove back dumped the rental car. We stayed in Trenton for a couple days. Then it was on to Campbellford on the town wall. Nice stop waking distance to little convenience store. Nice park area. Next day walked across the bridge to a breakfast joint. Then we went to Peterborough and stayed two nights at the marina. Also nice stop town was great. Marina in park like setting. Try the Tiger ice cream orange with a swirl of black licorice. Then on to Hastings. Nice wall on the right after lock. Marina just across from it. Then on to Reach Harbor nice stop at a little marina store. Nothing much around there. People were very nice a stranger walked up to me after we got tied up and asked if we needed anything. I said we were all set he said well you can use my car if you want to go to town. Unbelievable. Then on to Bobcaygeon were we stayed there two days. Then on to the Trent Talbot Marina. It was close to Lake Simcoe and I wanted to get across Lake Simcoe early in the morning before the wind kicked up. Nice marina tucked back up a creek. Plenty of water but it looked a little shaky. Then to Orillia where we stayed a couple days. Then on to Severn Falls spent the night cute stop. Then onto Port Severn. Stayed at the star marina. Pulled boat just before the lock. Good restaurant with a great ramp. Colby you can have my Ports Cruising Guide Trent Severn and Lake Simcoe book if you want. Just give it to someone else after your trip. Send me a PM with your address.
D.D.
 
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