If you were reading this NG earlier this spring you may have noticed me
asking a thousand questions about cruising Canadian canals. The help was
freely given and good and went a long way to making our trip a resounding
success. Many thanks to all that responded!!
We started the trip by launching our boats ( our companions O'Day 26 and my
OLD Venture 25 that I resurrected from 15 years setting unused outside my
welding shop) at Lock 6 on the Erie Canal in Troy, NY. on July 22. Nearly
two weeks later than we intended. The 1st evening a strong storm blew in
and we found that we had more leaks than a soaker hose and I have to say we
were pretty depressed by the time the sun rose. But some good marking of
leaks during the night and a tube of Boatlife soon had use feeling better.
Luckily this was the worst storm that we would see during the trip.
We had made screens to close the cabin completely with the pop-top up which
made it bug free and airy which made for cool, comfortable sleeping. We
also made a 10'x 8' sunbrella shade that stretched over the cabin from the
mast step to the bimini which kept us in the shade. These two items made a
huge difference between being really comfortable and my wife getting a
flight home after the first week.
The path of our trip was Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, across Lake Ontario to
the Saint Lawrence, along the US side to Alexandria Bay, then across to
enter Canada and a week in the Thousand Islands, Rideau Canal, Ottawa River,
Lachine Canal, The St. Lawrence to the Richelieu Canal, Lake Champlain,
Champlain Canal back to the Erie and Lock 6 to take the boats out. Plus
many side trips.
I could write a small book describing our trip...bottom line, it was great.
Great weather, great people, great food, great sights, great ice cream, etc.
I was particularly impressed by the friendliness of the people working the
locks, US and Canadian. My wife kept a diary that I plan to compile to go
along with a video/slide show. I'll post it some where when it's done. If
you are planning to cruise these canals, read the cruising guides and plan
way more time than what you think you'll need.
I can't imagine a better way to spend a summer! We just needed more time.
5 weeks was not near enough.
BTW we used less than 60 gal of gas for the entire trip. Carl's diesel used
even less. Unfortunately the cost of Rum in Canada made up for what we
saved in fuel costs
Thanks Canada!!! We'll be back for the Trent Severn next year.
BTW, it's a good thing that we were not allowed to take guns or I would have
shot many of the total jerks driving large power boats on both sides of the
boarder. I'm considering mounting a howitzer in the bow for next year
Quinton
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