Publish Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009
Location: Bobcaygeon, Ontario
Coordinates: 44° 32.216′ N 78° 32.841′ W
We are about one third of the way through our transit of the Trent-Severn Waterway, which will take us back to Lake Ontario. What a beautiful and well-run system this is. The lock personnel are friendly and helpful, and each lock has a park on the upper and lower sides where you can tie up and spend the night. The whole system is run by Parks Canada, so it has the feel of a national park in the U.S. One of the more interesting things about the Trent-Severn is that it takes you across the highest waterway that you can reach from the sea by boat — we transited that stretch today, so we’ve now been to the top of the sea-faring world!
The controlling depth on the Trent-Severn is only six feet. That means the water should never be less than six feet deep, and it’s usually deeper. Today, however, we went through one of the shallowest stretches where we often had only 1.5-2.0 feet of water under the hull. We went very slow most of the day (about 3-4 knots), and we bumped lightly a few times, probably running over tree branches on the bottom. I’m thankful that our boat has a full-length keel with a well-protected propeller, and we came through unscathed. Did I mention that the minimum bridge clearances are a soaring 22 feet? That means we have about 18 inches of clearance on these low bridges — that’s a treat compared to the Erie Canal bridges that were only 21 feet.
There are two unusual kinds of locks along this system. The first isn’t really a lock, but they call it one anyway: it’s a railroad car that takes your boat up and over a road, and plops you into the body of water on the other side. It’s called The Big Chute Marine Railway, and it’s quite an experience to transit. You drive your boat into a wide, flatbed, submerged railroad car that has vertical structure on each side with slings. When your boat is in position, they tighten up the slings to hold her steady. Since our boat has a full keel, she rested on the wooden bed of the railcar, and the slings just kept us from tipping over (we’ll produce a video soon). Once your boat is secure, the railroad car climbs out of the water on dual rails (to keep the car level), goes up and over the road, and back into the water on the other side. It was somewhat surreal, and definitely something I won’t forget.
The other unusual kind of lock is a hydraulic lift lock, and there are two of these along the waterway. We went through the first one today at Kirkfield, and we’ll go through the other one at Peterborough in a couple days. Normal locks have doors that close, and the whole chamber fills with water to lift the boats to the next level. Hydraulic lift locks are like big bathtubs, where the whole tub gets lifted to the next level by a hydraulic cylinder, with the boats in it. Because there’s no turbulence, the lock is able to rise very quickly and smoothly — it feels like an elevator.
Other than The Big Chute and the two hydraulic lift locks, the rest of the locks are pretty much what you would expect, except for one thing: All the locks on the Trent-Severn are operated by hand. Each door is opened and closed by a person turning a big wheel connected to gears. The valves are opened and closed by a person turning a crank. These lock-tenders must be tired at the end of a busy day!
Tonight we’re tied to the lock wall in a cute town called Bobcaygeon. We had a delicious Italian dinner in town, and then walked to the local Kawartha Dairy for some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot of ice cream). It is supposed to rain tomorrow (again), so we may stay here another day and enjoy more of the the local fare; and some more of that ice cream!
Try “Moose Tracks” flavour at Kawartha Dairies! You’ll be spoiled for anything else!
Enjoyed hearing Ayla on the Cruisers’ Net while sailing in the North Channel. Have a safe journey…we’ll be following you via the “information highway”.
Fair winds and calm seas,
The Crew of s/v “Nonchalant”
Hi David,
Forgot to mention Kawartha Dairy, indeed it is great ice cream! One thing also since you are in Bobcaygeon (it is a very neat little place) there is a pretty famous Canadian music band know as the Tragically Hip who actually sing a song entitled Bobcaygeon. The band is based in Kingston and have a unique story telling nature to their songs. They have just never have broke into the US… but can sell out the Air Canada Center (about 18,000 capacity) on multiple nights!
Here is hoping the weather improves… getting tired of wishing for that!
Oh and if you get to Burleigh Falls and have time check out http://www.burleighislandlodge.com/ its a neat lodge right near the water way (they may have dockage as well, if not its a short walk from the lock), good food, nice pool and another unique little place along the Trent.
Cheers,
Chris
Hi there David, Kathryn and Ayla!!
Our tiny bow rider was beside your giant vessel at lock 35 in Rosedale yesterday afternoon. I just wanted to say that I’m looking forward to following you on your voyage and am in complete awe of the amazing life experience you are giving yourselves and your daughter. What she will learn in her travels will far outweigh what she will ever learn in a classroom!!!! That is not a comment to diss the american (or canadian) school system as I am a teacher myself…but you are all so fortunate to be doing something so incredible!!! Your website is truly fascinating. I wish you all the best on your journey. Peace, Love and light, Cathy
I met you when you were at Cedar Point and have been following you ever since. I contacted the Sandusky Register about you and your boat and they did come to see you and there was a lovely article in the Sandusky Register. I also passed along your website to many of my friends who have started following you. I sure hope the weather gets better. Thank you for taking me along on your venture. I look forward to many more interesting stories. Good luck, Sharon
Hi
I am enjoying your journey.. I live on the water in Clay Twp just off the North Channel… My sons went to school with Dave… but were a few years behind him. also know your mom… in fact she gave one of your little race boats to my sons… We boated here in a 35 ft Chris.. until my husband passed away… We always had dreams of doing what you and your family are doing… so I am enjoying the trip with you…
and loving it… have a safe journey.. SAF
Hi,
We had the pleasure of watching you sail by our cousin’s cottage on Saturday, July 25th., on the Trent. Your beautiful boat caught our cousin’s eye, and ours too!! He also has done a lot of boatingl with his wife from Canada to Florida, and back again. We were fortunate to see your boat in dock the next day in Bobcaygeon around noon, where your beautiful and friendly wife spoke to us and another couple. We wish you all a safe journey, and will follow you on this adventure.
Keep safe….V.C.
Hi There,
We met you anchored in Baie Fine, Maryanne Cove (the family of four on the Victory 35 Catamaran) where we hiked up the Frazier Mountain together. Glad to hear your trip is going well. I am getting alot of good information from your site as we are heading to Quebec next summer. Keep up the great work on the videos and website. We do plan on taking a trip such as this one day soon. My wife and kids say hello. Enjoy the east coast of Canada.
Wishing you calm waters,
Andre Beneteau