Trent-Severn Waterway

Swansea · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:14 pm

Hi folks,

We own a 2003 Sundowner 205, and with summer vacation and boating season just around the corner, we've eagerly started to plan for a trip this year through the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario for this July.

We have a cottage on Georgian Bay (Victoria Harbour), and last year took a test trip from the entrance at Port Severn to Bobcaygeon, and back - took about 3 1/2 days. This year, I'm trailering the boat down to Toronto, dropping her in near the Humber River, and (hopefully) boating along the north shore of Lake Ontario to Trenton, and then make our way through the entire system, and finish at the cottage back on Georgian Bay.

Love to hear from anyone else who's done this trip, and any observation or highlights that you have on it (eg. unique sights, places to see, restaurants, etc). How long does the average trip through the entire system take? (I've heard 7 or 8 days?) and especially wondering if its practical to make the triop from Toronto to Trenton in one day?

Here's hoping gas prices stay "low" this summer!!

Larry

farleywilbur · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:40 pm

Larry, sounds like a fantastic trip and I have been trying to figure out a way to do something similar. I have been through 90% of the Trent including a few houseboat vacations. Lots to see and do and tons of friendly people along the way. Keep this post alive as you plan the trip, I for one will be tuning in!

Your trip from Toronto to Trenton will really depend on weather. Shouldnt be a big problem if you get a calm day.

Good luck with the planning!

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:13 pm

Like I have said before, you guys that have all these interconnected waterways are SO LUCKY! This sounds like so much fun!

millhaven_nice_guy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:22 pm

Larry

We have the Rideau Canal System just East of you and it has 45 locks at 23 lockstations and can be "run" in 3 days but you have to hit every lock and you need to be on the water all day long without breaks. Not a very nice vacation because each of the lockstations have something to offer and really should be explored even if just for an hour.. FYI The canal system here is 200 km long.
I too want to run the length of the Rideau this summer and I will just send my trailer up to Ottawa with my parents so I can trailer back.

I would do some research on the web it is amazing what people post here that is of "public benefit"
The Rideau System has this website http://www.rideau-info.com/ that is not by the government but is very informative.

Want a really nice twoo-three week Journey?
Drop your boat in at Ottawa just before July 1, enjoy Canada Day in the Capital...travel the Rideau system to the beautiful Thousand Islands and celebrate 4th July at Alexandria Bay New York, Take the rest of the time to travel the islands and make your way to the Trent Severn entry at Trenton and proceed to your cottage!

TSR · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:10 pm

Larry, we're looking to do part of the Trent in July as well. Planning to trailer from Bayfield to somewhere on Lake Simcoe, then slowly head for Port Severn, up to the sister-in-law's cottage at Pointe au Baril on Georgian Bay, and then back. If time and weather permits, I'd also like to head east to Bobcaygeon before heading home.

Anyway, sorry I can't offer any tips on the route from Trenton. If you haven't spent much time researching yet, there's lots of info available including "Ports" guides and various sources on the web. Here's some links to sites I've come across while doing a little research this winter:

http://thewaterway.ca/

http://www.pdqflotillas.com/trentRoutes8.html

http://boating.ncf.ca/index.html (the section on the Trent-Severn doesn't seem to be working here right now)

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/index_e.asp

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsev ... p?park=102

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsev ... it8b_e.asp

Hope the above is useful to you.

Tom

planealternative · **Posted:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:38 pm

Definitely get the "Ports" guide.
When I moved the 298 from Kingston to Georgian Bay, I wanted to take it through the Trent System but couldn't get a crew together that was able to take a week off work in May to help out.

Ended up having it trucked up.

Swansea · **Posted:** Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:02 am

Thanks for all the tips guys - Tom, the links are very helpful, and I've taken a tour through each. I already have a copy of the Ports guide, and I also convinced my wife to spend $150 at the Boat Show to buy a comprehensive set of bound and waterproof maps to the whole system.

Thinking also about buying a GPS - the Garmin 5xx series are portable "multi" units that you can use on the boat and in the car. I don't know about you guys, but when you're out on a big lake I sometimes find it a challenge to spot land-based landmarks using maps and binoculars!

Marc, thanks for the tips on the Rideau - I might save that journey for another year, but sounds promising. And, who wouldn't want to spend a little time in the nation's capital - you never know which politician you can swamp! I came across the "Loopers" website too - I guess that's the ultimate trip!!

Larry

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

Did you ever complete this journey?

Swansea · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:27 pm

Yep - we've done the whole thing twice now, once each way! We did it first starting in Toronto and boating the north shore of Lake Ontario to the entrance of the waterway at Trenton and finishing up on Georgian Bay. Then two years later we did it the opposite way, and finished the trip with an extra day boating around the Bay of Quinte. Fantastic trips both.

But an even better trip was the one we did in the year between: we towed down to Kingston, put in there and did the Rideau Canal to Ottawa, then down the Ottawa River to Montreal, then back up the St. Lawrence to Kingston - a "mini loop". That was truly a great experience!!

Happy to share tips if you're interested in either trip!

We're pretty excited about this year's trip - towing to NYC, staying at Liberty Landing Marina (right next to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty). We'll punt around the harbour for a couple days then head up the Hudson to Albany, then pick up the Erie Canal and make our way over to Buffalo/Fort Erie with maybe a side trip into the Finger Lakes. Hudson River Valley is supposed to be spectacular scenery, and the Erie has lots of history and charm.

Can't wait!

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

Swansea wrote:

Yep - we've done the whole thing twice now, once each way! We did it first starting in Toronto and boating the north shore of Lake Ontario to the entrance of the waterway at Trenton and finishing up on Georgian Bay. Then two years later we did it the opposite way, and finished the trip with an extra day boating around the Bay of Quinte. Fantastic trips both.

But an even better trip was the one we did in the year between: we towed down to Kingston, put it there and did the Rideau Canal to Ottawa, then down the Ottawa River to Montreal, then back up the St. Lawrence to Kingston - a "mini loop". That was truly a great experience!!

Happy to share tips if you're interested in either trip!

We're pretty excited about this year's trip - towing to NYC, staying at Liberty Landing Marina (right next to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty). We'll punt around the harbour for a couple days then head up the Hudson to Albany, then pick up the Erie Canal and make our way over to Buffalo/Fort Erie with maybe a side trip into the Finger Lakes. Hudson River Valley is supposed to be spectacular scenery, and the Erie has lots of history and charm.

Can't wait!

So are you just planning each leg as day trips and arranging accomodation, or are you sleeping on the boat, and showering at the marinas? Isn't the cuddy hot to sleep in?

Swansea · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:29 am

[/quote]
So are you just planning each leg as day trips and arranging accomodation, or are you sleeping on the boat, and showering at the marinas? Isn't the cuddy hot to sleep in?[/quote]

We basically plan each day to aim for a marina or a lock that allows transient or overnight berthing - some days are longer trips, some shorter depending on the amount of traffic on the system and lineups at locks, or whether there's something unique to visit, or a quaint place for a lingering lunch.

We sleep in the cuddy every night, and while its tight (I'm 6'3", the admiral is 5' 10", and the dog takes up a good chunk of space), its reasonably comfortable and a whole lot cheaper than a motel or lodge - besides, its a bit of a fun adventure, and great to meet lots of friendly boating neighbours wherever we stay. We have a small 12 V fan that plugs in to the accessory receptacle and clips on the to ceiling that provides good air movement and (conveniently) drowns out a bit of the "unwanted" noise. Showering happens when we stayed at a marina, which is usually clean and surprisingly welcome! Meals are usually at a nearby restaurant, often chosen on a recommendation from a boater or the marina that knows the area.

Here's some pics that I posted from our Rideau/Ottawa/St. Lawrence trip:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6561

And here's a video from our first Trent-Severn trip - it actually had a great music soundtrack, but You Tube somehow deleted it (copyright issues!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oj6hYEWAJg

Larry

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

That looks fantastic! Need to show the admiral when I get home. :lol:

Iamwildman · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:34 pm

Wow that trip on the rideau canal looks fantastic. I'll have to see if the family wants to plan this trip next year.

boater · **Posted:** Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:28 pm

Those are some great trips. If you need any assistance at the
west end of the Erie Canal I'd be glad to help out if I'm in town.
How do you get the trailer back from NYC?
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii10 ... 1335392806

Swansea · **Posted:** Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:14 am

boater wrote:

Those are some great trips. If you need any assistance at the
west end of the Erie Canal I'd be glad to help out if I'm in town.
How do you get the trailer back from NYC?

My son and his girlfriend will drive down with us, and he will drive the trailer back to Toronto. When we finish our trip through the Erie Canal, we'll cross over the Niagara River to Fort Erie, where he'll (hopefully) pick us up and we'll trailer the boat back to Toronto.

While the admiral and I will stay on the boat for the weekend in NYC, my son is "negotiating" with me for two nights at a hotel in exchange for all his help. My opening position is that he is getting free transport to the City, and he's otherwise on his own. Geez, how times have changed - at his age, I would have paid my old man to let me drive to the Big Apple!!

www.iFourWinns.com

Trent-Severn Waterway

Who is online