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Trent-Severn Waterway transit

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Lee Panza
Captain

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USA
465 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/18/2012 : 10:28:38

Has anyone transited the Trent-Severn Waterway (the "shortcut" between Lake Huron and Lake Ontario)?

As my retirement approaches, and I'm 'virtually' exploring where to go physically exploring once I get there, I came across this route. It appears a lot like pictures I've seen of traveling the canals in Europe. For a relatively long cruise it looks like it would be quite an adventure to do a full circuit, returning via Huron, Ontario and the Detroit River.

Any first-hand experience with this? Thanks!

Edited by - Lee Panza on 02/18/2012 10:37:05

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2012 : 15:28:30

Henk and Johanna ("zeil" on the forum) and David Bennett ("Dave5041") did it. (That didn't come from my feeble memory--I Searched for "Trent Severn".)

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2012 : 16:25:41

Updated

Jan'014
Lee... thank you for your e-mail and post regarding the Trent/Severn system in Ontario. It was for us during our year-long, round-the-continent, "living on board full time and going south", trip a total highlight. A complete trip report, from the time we left home to our return a year later, was posted on this forum, plus several write-ups in Catalina's Mains-sheet magazine. A trip synopsis with do's and don't was published as well on this forum including a list of modifications. It took us over 5 weeks to complete the about 400 km waterway with its 40 some odd locks. Rather than repeating, have a look at our write-ups, stories, modifications and conclusion about the Trent/Severn in the forum's archive.
Search under
"living on board",
all forums,
entire message.
check... Archived post,
Any date,
Zeil.
It covers the entire trip... including some other related stories.
The Trent/Severn Waterway System starts with Part 11 and describes the modifications we made before we left Port Hope... Original modifications are outlined in Part 1 and should be considered to make life on board more pleasant. Since then we added a microwave oven and some other improvements. Please feel free to contact us for clarifications, photos, illustrations of any part of the trip as well as the modifications. Would we do the trip again?? the answer is... "at the drop of a hat"

Here are a few images...

Edited by - zeil on 11/17/2014 23:44:32

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2012 : 18:18:13

That reminds me - we have an outdated Ports guide sitting around - Lee you can have it for the shipping if you want it. Fire me an email.

Chris

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/23/2012 : 13:59:02

Lee - still waiting for an address - we are moving shortly and this is on the junk pile right now. Your time is limited.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 06:35:40

Hey Lee - Did that guide reach you yet? I thought it would have by now.

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 09:14:49

zeil

Top drawer pictures............

paulj

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 10:15:52

Henk - we were talking to a friend (a powerboater) about transiting east from Simcoe this spring, and he said we had already done the best parts of the Canal, and that from Simcoe east to Trenton wasn't worth getting excited about. Do you have any thoughts on that?

His comment was that teh whole thing was so stop & go, and that so much time was spent in a concrete spillway that it just wasn't worth it. Maybe when you are used to going 20 knots its hard to get excited about going slower.

Edited by - on

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 17:33:21

OT - last fall I read a history of the St Lawrence valley that included several excerpts from Lady Simcoe's diary describing her return trip with her husband from York to Montreal by bateaux shooting the many rapids the river was once famous for, and of dodging ice flows in birch bark canoes shortly after spring breakup. One tough lady. I doubt the travelers of that era ever envisioned our waterways today.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 20:09:46

Ah... don't get me going... one may gain a little time but fail to see the essence of the system. You will not want to miss the beauty, history, uniqueness, canals, lakes, rivers, estuaries, towns and villages, going east from Orillia via Lake Simcoe into the canal leading to Kirkfield, Rosedale, Fenlon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Buckhorn, Burleigh Falls, Young's Point, Lakefield, Peterborough on to Rice Lake, Hastings, Healy Falls, Campbellford, Frankford and finally Trenton.

Granted that to descend about 193 meter (630 ft) to the level of Lake Ontario takes a lock or two, some rather tall... but if time is a big deal express your urgency to willing, accommodating lock staff who'll shuttle you through at top efficiency and time your progress from lock to lock... all at no extra cost even if you are the only vessel.

We talked to both motor and sail crews who were following the "great circle", through the great lakes and rivers south to the Gulf of Mexico and north again using the coastal inside passages who, due to time pressure, shuttled through in less than a week. We spent a glorious 5 weeks on just the Trent/Severn Waterway System and have fond memories of all the places mentioned.

Thanks to Johanna's daily log, forum' postings and photo's we have since revisited entire portions of the trip...

Chris... what, having access to the system are your impressions, suggestions and recommendations.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 20:17:59

Honestly we spend little time on, in, or near the system itself. we often criss-cross it on trips to other places, but it is a rare thing to stop at a lock station in the car and look around.

Were it not for our one trip westward to Georgian Bay, we wouldn't even know its route that way. Researching our trip to Lk Ontario has made me aware of times we have crossed the system when headed to other places. I am far more aware of the Rideau than the Trent, despite it being MUCH farther away from us.

The towns you mention we have visited many times, but never by boat. In fact, Peterborough (you MUST see the Canoe Museum) is a favourite town of mine to simply enjoy. The waterside is nice, there are good restaurants downtown, and the whole area is a little slower and more friendly than Toronto, but if I stop there it is usually to provision and outfit a canoe trip headed north. Bobcaygeon and Buckhorn are cottage country. Good towns to pick up beer and ice cream and other necessities for cottaging. I am not aware of where the Trent goes through them.

Alas I am ignorant. But I was very surprised when we were told that the east end of the system wasn't worth doing.

Edited by - on

Prospector
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Response Posted - 03/16/2012 : 14:46:13

I spoke with a sailing friend who circumnavigated the great lakes in a C-27 and he gave permission for a link to his photostream and log to be printed.

For those wishing to do the loop, his full log is available through email: canoe@neptune.on.ca

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=Peregrine3695&target=ALBUM&id=5417033385237032257&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWe68yi39Tvbw&feat=email

Log:
May 24
Jacksons Point to Gamebridge

Hans joined me as crew for the Trent canal section.
Delayed departure from Jacksons Point due to rough conditions on Lake Simcoe. By 15:30, conditions had moderated and we proceeded to Hawkestone and unstepped the mast. Departed Hawkestone at 19:40 and were treated to a truly spectacular sunset!

Arriving at the entrance to the Trent Canal we discovered that the Mara Shoal light buoy, which we had been steering to on GPS, was extinguished. We reported this to the Coast Guard. At 22:40 we tied up at Gamebridge Lock 41 after navigating the 3 miles of canal in the pitch black using the search-light.

May 25
Gamebridge to Bobcaygeon
58.9 nautical miles

Gorgeous, sunny day. Departed Gamebridge lock at 9:15. I decided to pay an extra $50 for a transit pass for the dinghy, this was truly worth it as it allowed us to tow the dinghy all the way down the system. Passed an American sailboat heading north in the canal, the only boat we saw all day!. The highlight of the day had to be the Kirkfield Lift Lock. It is literally in the middle of nowhere. You come around a tree-covered bend and there it is, an immense spider-web of steel. The ride up is very quick, I described it as a carnival ride, it is that fast.

We averaged over 6 knots trying to make time through the lakes and discovered that this forced the outlet to the bilge pump under water and it siphoned back and flooded the cabin sole. Made lock 38 at 10:45, Rosedale at 13:00 and Fenelon at 15:45, 1`5 minutes before closing time. This meant we could cover the distance to Bobcaygeon which we made at 18:50.

May 26
Bobcaygeon to Lakefield

Another bright, sunny day. We locked through Bobcaygeon at 8:55, departing at 9:15. Again we made maximum speed through the lakes as the locks closed at 16:00. We made Young’s Point lock with 15 minutes to spare, allowing us to travel down the Otanabee River as far as Lakefield. The marina at Lakefield was closed as it had been condemned as structurally unsound. Apparently there are plans to rebuild it this summer. We were interviewed by a local journalist for our opinions about it all. We were tied up to the Trent Severn maintenance compound. The canal was full of bugs and garbage and smelled. For a town with such an amazing waterfront and connection to the canal, Lakefield seems to want to ignore the waterway in hopes it will go away.

Hans opted to stay on board for dinner while I went out with friends Tim and Naomi. We brought him back a sub.

May 27
Lakefield to Hastings
30.3

Departed Lakefield at 8:40 pm and motored down the pastoral Otanabee in bright sunshine. The many locks were quick and in no time we were motoring through the campus of Trent University. Shortly after Trent came the Peterborough Lift Lock. First you motor down an elevated canal with views overlooking the countryside below, and extraordinary sensation and then you come to what looks like the end of the world, beyond the end gate of the lock chamber is thin air! Again, the ride down was very fast.

We tied up below the Lift Lock and went to the museum and visitors centre and then ate some lunch. At 13:00 we headed toward the Ashburnham Lock. While approaching the entrance, the shifter, which we had been babying all the way, finally came apart in several pieces. We were doing 2 knots at the time and heading for the lock chamber fast…. A few S-turns and some judicious tossing of lines around bollards and we got here stopped. I spent a very hot 45 minutes repairing the shifter.

The lower Otanabee is a very big river that flows through beautiful, low-lying hardwood forest. It took us 3 hours to travel the river to its mouth at Rice Lake. The lake is quite shallow but large enough to kick some wave action. Hans got a chance to try out some of the skills he learned in the Power Squadron piloting course as we navigated between buoys down the lake. We arrived in Hastings about 19:30 and tied up at a gorgeous new municipal marina which had all the amenities. John Webster and his wife arrived in their car and took us to dinner at the local fish and chips restaurant.

May 28
Hastings to Frankford
36.8

Departed Hastings lock at 9:25 on yet another sunny, hot spring day. By the time we had cleared Lock 13 at Campbellford at 14:00 it had clouded over. The flight locks were quite something. Also for the first time we have company. The lock master held us for 30 minutes while we waited for a power cruiser to arrive and lock through. They were to be with us all the way to Lake Ontario.

We made it to lock 6 in Frankford at 19:45 in sunshine again and we tied up at the lock station. The lockmaster at 7 had phoned ahead for us and there were washroom keys waiting for us at the lock station. A quiet night.

May 29
Frankford to Trenton
10

09;00 we entered Lock 6. The last 6 locks are in quick succession and they lock through boats in groups. About 10:15, we were held at the top of lock 3 while they locked up an old wooden sharpie. We cleared the last lock at 11:40 and went to Fraser park for Gas and Pumpout. We departed Trenton, again in beautiful weather, at 12:15 arriving at C.F.B. Trenton Yacht Club at 13:30. John and Jean were there to meet us and we got the mast up in short order. Jean and Hans departed and John and I installed the new motor controls that Heather had sent down with John.

Edited by - Prospector on 03/16/2012 14:49:07

glivs
Admiral

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USA
836 Posts

Response Posted - 03/16/2012 : 17:10:19

Wow! What an adventure....thanks for posting.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2012 : 19:37:56

The eastern portion is not as dramatic as the west, but it has its own beauty and history. We did the transit with powerboat friends, not aboard Pearl, but we intend to do it again in Pearl. Our problem is that there are so many things to see that it's hard to get back for a repeat. It might disappoint some doing it west to east, but it is really about appreciating what is in your present, not comparing it to something else. My life has become both simpler and richer as I have learned to do that (It took me about 50 years to learn.).

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2012 : 17:13:54

Lee - if you can afford a few days off work this summer and have the airmiles, it looks like I am short on crew.

We could use you to lend a hand from Lake Simcoe to Lake Ontario and then down the lake to our new marina. If you are interested let me know. Likely a week's travel at the most.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2013 : 13:36:19

"Christmas in June", huge annual festival in Orillia, Ont. complete with Christmas turkey dinner

Parade of amphibious cars during the "Christmas in June" festival, Orillia, Ont.

Boats dressed up for the festival which includes a night light water parade

Waiting to be shuttled across a highway with the "Big Chute",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway

The weirdest way of "sailing", you'll ever experience with the "Big Chute",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway

Hitchhiking, busing and by train traveling 400 km back to collect the truck and trailer after completing the Trant/Severn Waterway

If you have any questions or like more information please feel free to contact us anytime...

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 01/08/2013 : 20:54:30

quote:
Originally posted by zeil

Waiting to be shuttled across a highway with the "Big Chute",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway

The weirdest way of "sailing", you'll ever experience with the "Big Chute",
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Chute_Marine_Railway

If you have any questions or like more information please feel free to contact us anytime...

Edited by - zeil on 01/12/2013 11:33:24

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