Trent-Severn waterway ?

[cuzner]

I'm considering towing the boat to Barrie and spending 5 or 6 days cruising the locks. Any one done this before? does it live up the hype?I realize I won't be able to do it all in this time. Any input appreciated.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

I cottage on the Trent (Trent side not Severn side) and yes I think you will enjoy it. I can't talk for Severn, but travelling up from Trenton is quite fun.<br /><br />I've done parts of it and sometimes think I would have been better off with a cruiser than a cottage.<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

cuzner...which way are you going from Barrie, I boat out of RAMA on Couchiching and typically we either go up to Georgian Bay one year and down to Lakefield/Peterborough the next. Didn't go anywhwere this year partly because of gas $$$ and now it's possible the Parks Canada guys may go on strike which will most likely close some or all of the locks.

 

[seamegr]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

How I spent my summer vacation:<br />Sorry it's so long.<br /><br />Jim, funny you should ask. We live in North Bay and have a 17' FW Horizon. Third week in July we trailered down to Orillia and docked at Hot Knots Landing for three days, Mon thru Wed. There were very few boats anywhere, nice and quiet. I've seen it on the weekend and it's mad. Midweek was best for us.<br /><br />The marina people were most accomodating, it is a great spot, nice and clean, covered slips, green space, showers laundry and full service. Even if you don't dock there it is worth a look. It's right at the narrows so there was lots to see.<br /><br />We stayed at the Best Western Couchiching inn, one one the cleanest hotels we've ever stayed at. (The next boat might be big enuff to sleep on!)<br /><br />We cruised Couchiching, went up the TS and thru lock 42 to the south end of Sparrow Lake (Washago). This was our first lock, the staff were great, they are extremely helpful to everybody. Absolutely no drama whatsoever. At 10 KPH it takes a while.<br /><br />Before we left we went thru the narrows into Simcoe just to say we did. It's a pretty big lake for us. And judging by the tragic events there last week, it's big for others too.<br /><br />One thing that helped us 'cos we were not familiar with the area was our new Garmin GPSMap 276C loaded with the Bluecharts for the area. We used the paper charts for an overall view and my navigator was able to pinpoint our location when I told her what buoy to look for.<br /><br />All in all a great experience, we are going to do more. <br /><br />Greg

 

[cuzner]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Thanks for your replys guys, I will be launching in Barrie. I have a 24 ft sundancer(aft cabin) so I will be spending nights on that. I thought of trafic too,so I put my vacation off til the week after labour day.Thanks for the heads up about the strike Bob, heard it was coming but did'nt think of the locks. <br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[trevortoronto]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

I was going to tour the whole waterway this week and now i'mworried about rotating walkouts where my boat will be stranded. Anyone ever go from Toronto to georgian bay via Lake Erie?

 

[cuzner]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

An update... spent September 8 til 13 along the waterway. Started in Barrie, spent the first nite in Orallia, saw Brooks & Dunn at casino Rama and got as far as stugeon lake (took our time).What a great experience!!! (even though I'm not a C & W fan) I plan on doing the whole system next year I would suggest it to anyone looking for a boating getaway.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Jim...glad you had a good trip, some folks did get stranded for a while with the rotating strike and on the long weekend they closed the whole system on Sat and Sun. Next time you go let me know if you are going to Rama again, our Marina (Ojibway Bay) is right around the corner from the casino (within walking distance)and they have transient slips.<br /><br />ps...what is C&W ?

 

[seamegr]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Jim, glad to hear your trip went well. We had a great time as well, except for the trip to Rama.<br />We were docked at HotKnots but we took the bus to Rama one night. Couldn't get over the smoking, (4year ex-smoker) we don't gamble and there were no shows that night. We had to drink until the bus came to take us back. I think the only reason I'd go back would be to see a show.<br /><br />How was Simcoe? What size boat do you have? We felt that our 17' FW was not the right size for Simcoe. So now we need a bigger boat!!!!<br /><br />Greg

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Greg...I live on Simcoe down in Cook Bay at Keswick. Simcoe can be a very mean lake when the wind whips up it's gets very choppy instead of having rollers. We used to keep our boat at a local marina (3 mins from home) and used to go to Orillia many weekends but usually dreaded the Sunday trip home (approx 30 miles down the lake) Finally one year we moved the boat to Orillia to try it. That was 9 years ago and we are still there, spent 6 yrs at Mariposa Landing next to Hot Knots and now at Ojibway Bay....it's a great area for boating! and now the Sunday trips home are in the car and much calmer!

 

[cuzner]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Hey Bob C & W = country and Western.I think I'll be going again next year for 10 days.Greg I own a 24ft sundancer (aft cabin), Simcoe was nasty when we came down from Orallia,But I,m used to lake Erie, and have been in alot worse.My date for the trip brought 4 bags of clothes, 1 bag of shoes,12 hangers worth of clothes + her dog thank god for the camper top.I'm not much of gambler either, but did sit at the bar after the show and played video poker for awhile, and the show only cost 50$.I was also concerned about the strike, and made arrangments to get a ride back to Barrie to get truck & trailer back to Fenlon Falls just in case.I did see alot of people in smaller boats camping at the locks(sat around and had a drink with a few).Overall great trip and can't wait till next time!@<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[seamegr]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Jim/Bob, thanks for the info. We will definitely go again next summer. Maybe we'll put in farther east. My wife and I are both convinced we need a bigger boat. All we need now is to convince the pocketbook. My dealer is just FULL of great ideas.<br /><br />We would like to do the Rideau and Thousand Islands someday.<br /><br />Greg

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Cuzner:<br /><br />What do you mean by 'camping' at the locks.<br /><br />I cottage on the Trent between Hastings and Healey Falls.<br /><br />Do people set tents up at the locks? Or do people sleep on their boats?<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[cuzner]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Hey steam_mill, People actualy set tents up near the locks, there is a designated area at some locks just for this.I seen people in smaller boats do this and some that had their kids with them. I sat around a small bonfire one nite at fenlon falls with some other boaters.There is a ton of info on the web, check out the freinds of trent severn.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Hey Joe....Since you are near Hastings...I caught something on TV recently that said they were going to build a municipal marina at Hastings with some seasonal slips but mostly for transients like they have in Orillia, Peterborough and Lakefield...did you hear about this?

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

There is a brand new transient marina in Hastings. Haven't really checked it out.<br /><br />It is on the other side of the lock. In the wrong location as far as town proximity.<br /><br />Actually it's funny you bring this up. One of my tasks this winter is to write a letter to the Mayor (my Mayor, I'm a cottager) and adress an important issue that Hastings (Trent Hills) is NOT a destination but rather somewhere you drive/boat through.<br /><br />The town of Hastings actually has some potential. If the main drag could be replaced with trendier eateries (instead of the greasy fish and chips place) and replace the junke stores with antique stores (yes there is aslight difference).<br /><br />I still do go there about one a month by boat for dinner at the italian eatery or for ice cream. It is about a 20 to 30 minute ride...<br /><br />Joe

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Thanks for the info Joe...it's good to know incase we get down that far next year. So would it be a reasonable walk into town from the marina for supplies (solid and liquid)?

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

It is about a 10 minute walk or take your boat across the river and the liquor store is right there.<br /><br />Also, if you are looking for an overnite spot on the river itself, between Hastings and Healey Falls, there is a nice spot in front of Steam Mill Island. Many boaters spend the nite there.<br /><br />You would probably get a visit from Steam_mill (me!).<br /><br />Let me know...<br /><br />Joe

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

Cuzner glad you liked the Trent, I keep my boat in Port Severn which is lock45, We often make our way upstream over Big Chute, through Severn Falls, Swift Rapids (lock43) across Sparrow lake on up to lock42, This is a a nice cruise but is best to do during the weekdays and pick a day thats not going to be super hot This trip take 6-7 hours return. I think next year I'm going to toss a tent in the boat and go for a week or so. If you ever make your way to Port Severn let me know I would be glad to take you below lock 45 out to Georgian Bays Islands, we spend most our time on the Bay at a beach or just Cruise around, we do this in a WellCraft 196 Eclipse.

 

[seamegr]

Re: Trent-Severn waterway ?

We are thinking of staying at the Inn at Christie's Mill for a few days next summer. Does anyone have any feedback on the place?<br /><br />Greg