Association Forum - Living on board full time going South (PART 11-B)

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Living on board full time going South (PART 11-B)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/30/2007 : 13:44:35

Hey guys... it's a huge shame that this is the best kept secret in the entire country... We're about 50 miles (75 km) from our starting point in Trenton, Ont and motoring up the about 260 mile or 400 km long Trenton to Port Severn on Georgian Bay, Ont, system. If we keep going at this rate it'll take us about 10 years... But... Johanna reminds me, “we're only doing this once and I would like to see everything there is to see”. Of course she's right and I do not want to miss anything either so... I'd better slow down a bit and enjoy the experience with her... even though next is an open stretch of about 25 miles (40 km) of open water, including a wide channel leading to Rice Lake. A stretch without locks, bridges or overhead wires and I'm anxious to raise the mast and use the sails, weather permitting, for the next leg...

3393 ARRIVING AT OUR STARTING POINT

340O GETTING UNDERWAY UP THE TRENT

The system, judging from what we've traveled so far, seems to be totally under utilized with hardly any boat traffic at all. Although it is still very early in the season, we meet no more than one or two boats daily... Almost unbelievable. If you consider the army of government employees needed to daily man the locks, bridges and monitor water levels it must cost a fortune to keep the system going, never mind maintenance, repairs or improvements.
3405 APPROACHING THE GREENHORN LOCK WAITING ON THE BLUE LINE
At lock number one, known as the “greenhorn lock”, we bought a “one way transit pass”, for the entire waterway including docking/overnighting on the lock walls”, for a total of $358.00 CAN and a “beach only” permit for the dinghy. The “Someday Baby”, dinghy actually is considered a separate vessel and as such should have been charged but... “we'll let you go this time guys...!” Thank you lock masters on the system for being kind to us. Having to have the dinghy on the bow would have been a great nuisance...!! The lock's overnight moorage includes washroom facilities and drinking water at most places, but no showers or electrical hook-ups... Oh well, people in the early days must have gone to bed with the chickens, done some skinny dipping or didn't give a hoot... (It's tempting to do the same) Some locks have high speed Internet available at a cost. And... the lock master and staff provide lots of friendly and useful advice. Once in the system they will keep track of your progress and will phone ahead to the next lock to notify them of your approximate time of arrival. Since in the early season they operate from 9:00 am. to 4 pm. with weekends to 7:00 pm. timing is important if you wish to reach a certain destination. Most locks are kept in immaculate condition and the staff takes pride in their environment. All locks are staffed by a minimum of 2 people, a lock master and a roving assistant who will assist at more than one lock location. It is awesome to see the entire system in operation and volumes of water moved just to shuttle our little vessel up the waterway.

3409 MOORED UP FOR THE NIGHT AT LOCK #6

3413 TOTAL CONTENTMENT

3426 MOTORING AT APPROX 6 KN

3428 SERENITY OF LAKES

Quoting from the Ports Cruising Guide, the following description outlines the waterway “Originally the Trent-Severn Waterway, which took 87 years to build, has a checkered history. Designed to establish a commercial route from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay, (as well to relieve unemployment and poverty in Great Britain in the mid- 1800s), the waterway consists of beautiful rivers and lakes that meander from the Bay of Quinte to Port Severn. By the time it was completed, however multi lane highways and extensive railways had reduced the need for the system. Now the Trent-Severn's waters are used primarily by pleasure boaters, cottages and tourists.

When boaters and cottagers think of the waterway, aside from all its attributes, most of them think of the locks. There are 43 of them in 240 miles on the main route from Trenton to Port Severn, plus one lock (lock 33) on the alternate route to Lindsay and Lake Scugog. The last lock on the system is Lock 45 at Port Severn, but the total number of locks is 44, not 45, because there is no Lock 29. Burleigh Falls Lock 28 was once a double lock: when it was converted to a single in 1968, Lock 29 became no more. Counted in the total number of locks is Lock 44 at Big Chute – which, in fact, is a marine railway, not a true lock.

3448 PREPARING FOR LOCK #14

The purpose of the locks, of course, is to allow boats to negotiate changes in water levels without having to portage around falls and shoot rapids. The waterway raise boats nearly 600 feet (200 meters) from Trenton to the summit of the system near Mile 157 at Balsam Lake – and then lowers them 263 feet (85 meters) to Georgian Bay. The first lock is less than 2 miles North of Trenton and 6 more locks follow in the next 12 miles, raising the water level more than a 100 feet (30 meters)

3459 FLIGHTLOCK HEALY FALLS, ONT. WITH 48 FT (15 MTR) LIFT LOCK 16 &17

The locking-through process is simple, and is aided by the experienced lock staff, who will help you if you're unsure of procedures. After a couple of locks, we guarantee you'll be an old hand at the basics. However, each lock has its own characteristics – including current and wind - it helps if you and your crew establish a system so you're prepared when the unexpected inevitably happens.”

In order to navigate the system, it was recommended that we buy strip charts for each of the 7 regions having about 5 strip charts each plus a guide called “PORTS” a cruising guide for the entire route with an abundance of details, aireal pictures, marina's, facilities, repair services, towns, shopping and thing to see and do along the way... Total cost is $250.00 CAN and worth every penny!

3530 TRENT SEVERN MAP

3515 CHARTS

Johanna likes the navigation and studies the charts in detail while we both set out the route and next destination the day before... the charts and routes are easy to follow with plenty of markers and buoys along the irregular channel. So far it happened only once that we were unsure of our position relative to the next channel marker. Once we found the marker at an unexpected angle it all fell in place. To confess, though..., we had such faith by now in the marker system that we ignored the charts and quickly had to dive below for them to, in a hurry, find our position.... proving the point that you need the charts on hand at all times.

3490 COTTAGE COUNTRY OUTSIDE OF HASTINGS

The waterway is very scenic and changes gradually from man made canals to marsh and cottage country, small lakes and estuaries to settlements and towns along the way... Later on we will get into the Canadian shield and rock country... Along the way we meet lots of fishermen who are after the abundant supply of about 8 different kinds of fish... An annual fishing license is $20.00 which allows you to catch and release all you want and keep two fish per day. (Bunch of optimists they are, with my luck...!!)

3496 BRINGING WATER TO THE BOAT

3453 DOCKED DOWNTOWN CAMBELLFORD

3534 TAKING ON PROVISIONS

Although before we left we stocked up on bottled drinking water and provisions complete with about 42 liters (10 gallon) of high grade fuel for the 8 hp Honda, we have found that, (so far), everything is readily available in the towns along the way... Expect prices to be higher and having to lug the provisions to the boat which for us provides some welcome exercise. Nevertheless it is a good feeling to have plenty on board especially when meeting dock side people and unexpected family visitors from nearby Port Hope.

3463 SUNSET ON SOME DAY LADY

In case you wonder about our boat... The 25 ft Catalina, in our opinion seems to ideally suited for this kind of waterway cruising with its swing keel up and a homemade 12 “ wide shorter rudder which by having it angled 4” forward is responsive and balanced. It only needs very light tiller steering. This also is the time to totally enjoy the C250 ports at eye level while sitting in the settee. In the evening and night the plexi glass hatch cover completes the 360 view. The ample room inside the cabin is used to the fullest extend with every little space utilized. In fact, we added a second teak shelf about 6 “ under and suspended below the TV shelf against the port side head's bulkhead without having to drill any holes... (I hate drilling) This shelf is used for the 3” thick pile of strip charts and “symbols of abbreviation and terms”, booklet.

3492 WAITING ON THE BLUELINE LOCK 18 AT HASTINGS

3522 LOCK MASTER AND ASSISTANT LOCK 18

3523 INTERESTING TRIVIA

That's it for now, we'll update you soon

We love you all

Henk for Johanna too

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2007 : 21:22:15

Another great episode Henk! Keep them coming.