Cruising the Trent-Severn Waterway

[avpilot]

Following the August 2014 North Channel Rendezvous we plan to trailer Santolina to Port Severn and begin a cruise on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Does anyone have suggestions on where to launch, and also where we can safely store our truck and trailer for a couple of weeks?

If anyone is interested in joining us on the cruise we’d love to hear from you. Please send a PM. And, of course, we’d love to tap into the collective Tugnut knowledge. If anyone has recommendations (places to stop, locations to avoid, side exploration jaunts, etc) please share your valuable thoughts. What is the recommended guide book for the Trent-Severn?

We can’t wait to get out on the water again!

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC

 

[JamesTXSD]

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a delight! Here is a link to our blog from our time on the Trent-Severn...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2009/09/cr ... evern.html

Click on newer posts after that one, and you'll see a couple weeks worth of Trent-Severn travels.

We used an unimproved ramp at a lock midway, but I would not recommend that location for a Ranger. Here is a link to marinas in the area...

http://thewaterway.ca/#sthash.2nUBzki5.Nf2mDUCu.dpbs

Wonderful historic locks, the lift locks, and the Big Chute Railway...

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Hi Gregg and Kathy, we're looking forward to seeing you in Canada's North Channel this August. Like Jim B, Lisa and I have also cruised the Trent-Severn and echo his sentiment about being a delightful cruising destination. I've attached a link that goes directly to the posts of our blog that relate to the time we cruised these waters. The summer festivals are plentiful, the Big Chute Marine Railway, Peterborough, Bob Caygeon, Campbellford and our anchorage at Lost Channel were some of our highlights. When we get together in Little Current I'd be more then happy to walk thru any of these areas. In addition John and Laurie Gray on Andiamo will have just come thru the Trent-Severn, while on the Great Loop, and they'd be a very current resource for knowledge.

http://www.favorsgreatloopblog.com/cate ... 1_3UF6Kxg0

Jim F

 

[avpilot]

Thanks, Jim B and Jim F, for the links to your blogs. They make us want to get to the Trent-Severn sooner rather than later, but we’ll try to be patient! Both blogs are very well done and informative. From the link to marinas provided by Jim B, we must admit concern about starting on the Georgian Bay end of the waterway. It appears there are fewer options at that end. Is that your impression? Hopefully, someone will have encouraging info on launching at/near Port Severn and storing the truck and trailer for a few weeks.

Yes, indeed, Jim F, we’ll take you up on your offer to get together in Little Current to “strategize.”

Jim B, I thought we trailered our Ranger a long way, starting out in north TX (near Ft. Worth), to arrive at various boating destinations. But if you depart from Port Isabel, TX with your CD25 you really rack up the miles. If you ever pass this way, let us know.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Greg and Kathy,

Yep, Texas is a BIG state. Folks from the northern states talk about Dallas being "in the south"... we are 600 miles further south than Dallas. Makes for a great climate (sub-tropical), but it is a LONG ways to anywhere. Herb and Wilma can vouch for us on that.

Your thread about the Trent-Severn really drives home the value of a trailerable boat. We had a wonderful time there; a great summer cruising the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, New York City, and up to the Trent-Severn. Your Ranger will be great up there.

Sorry I can't offer more info about where to launch. The ramp we used was barely adequate for Wild Blue. We had checked into launching in the Trent area, and had found a couple that sounded promising. In the end, we decided to launch mid-way, then do the waterway as a loop. Some folks we visited with were tired of locking... we did 6 weeks on the Erie Canal before heading to the Trent-Severn - LOTS of locks. The locks on the T-S were more varied and interesting for us than those on the Erie. Good fenders, two boat poles, and sturdy rubber gloves will be important equipment.

I get excited for you visiting about this. Have fun!

Best wishes,
Jim

 

[Irish Mist]

I'm not really familiar with that area although I pass it and boat throught it I will make some calls and see what I can find for storage. I know there is a public boat launch I have seen people use while staying overnight beside the Rawley Lodge ( nice docks at the lodge ) but was mostly smaller boats I saw. While cruising try to stop at the Wabic restaurant on the Severn river.. it is a boat access only place and great fish and chips and very popular.. They also have overnight docking but call ahead ..
And my home town Orillia has great docks downtown and there is safe fun anchorage at Big Chief Island..

 

[avpilot]

"Irish Mist", we appreciate the recommendations and will certainly put them on the to-do list. An online search for the Waubic Inn resulted in nothing but praise for the owners and their food.

Is Big Chief Island in Lake Couchiching? (Love that name.)

And thanks for offering to check into truck and trailer storage. If you locate a storage facility a few kilometers from the launch area, we can bicycle from the storage back to the boat.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC

 

[Irish Mist]

Call Starport Marina 1-705-538-2975 they are expensive but have a boat launch and will store the trailer..The boat launch is at the lower marina... They have a marina at the bottom of the locks and a marina at the top of the locks.. I spoke with Mariln She said would be $200.00 per month to store the truck and trailer.. If you can get more people interested she will work with you..
Big Chief is on lake Couchiching If you google earth it you will see all the boats It is an Indian burial ground and you are not allowed to go on the island The large bays on the North and South sides are all sand.. The north side is very busy and noisy on the weekends and there are usually floating bands playing on the long weekends.. If you like sleeping before 3am stick to the south side 🙂 We tend to go to which ever side the weather man says will be best through the night.. The Wabic is just a bit south of Severn Falls .. Is on the port side when your heading south .. Also you can get overnight passes for the locks we stay at the locks a few times each year Is just easy 🙂 You will also need to get a pass for the locks They are very helpful and will tell you the best deal .. Lock 45 coming from Georgian bay is a bottle neck on long weekends when it is busy I have had to wait over an hour to get through on a weekend... Bottom line here is weekday travel is easier... It is an easy day to go from Georgian bay to Orillia but you should do it in two or three. I would stop a night at the Marine railway and explore around there Then take in the lost channel on the way for a couple nights.. Is very nice there you can stern in to about 6 ft from shore in lots of water There is a bonfire pit on the point which is popular.. Then stop in Orillia and load up on supplies. There is a metro ( groceries ) we walk to all the time from the boat and restaurants and a liquor store. All very handy.
You will not be disappointed with the trip up the severn that's for sure 🙂
Feel free to PM me anytime I will do what I can to help 🙂

 

[avpilot]

Thanks Irish Mist for the launch/storage info, as well as other particulars. Yes, we'll PM you. There is nothing better than information from local folks. We envy your home port location.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC