Discover the Trent Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada. The Trent Severn is the world’s largest inland waterway. Whereas many who cruise the Trent Severn Waterway personal their very own boats or have costly waterfront cottages, there’s a enjoyable and reasonably priced choice. Le Boat provides self-drive luxurious houseboats to lease for a number of days to a few weeks. This manner, you may cruise the Trent Severn Waterway at your individual tempo and uncover the hidden gems and wonder alongside the way in which. This was our fifth Le Boat trip with my brother Jim and his spouse, Janice. We cruised by way of the historic locks for a 7-night journey from Peterborough to Bobcaygeon, and right here’s what to anticipate.
In regards to the Trent Severn Waterway
The Trent-Severn Waterway is a Nationwide Historic Web site that stretches 386 kilometers from Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte in Trenton to Georgian Bay in Port Severn. Accomplished in 1920, the waterway options 44 locks, together with the world’s highest hydraulic carry lock in Peterborough, which raises boats 19.8 meters in buckets. When driving a Le Boat by way of the Trent Severn waterway, you get to go by way of this unimaginable lock.
The Trent-Severn Waterway is a Nationwide Historic Web site that runs 386 km from Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte in Trenton to Georgian Bay in Port Severn. It was accomplished in 1920, almost a century after the primary lock was in-built 1833. Boaters can journey by way of 44 locks, together with the world’s highest hydraulic carry lock in Peterborough, which lifts boats 19.8 meters in bucket-like containers. While you drive a Le Boat by way of the Trent Severn waterway, you get to undergo this wonderful lock.
Summer time Financial savings with Le Boat
- 2025 Early Reserving Provide – Save as much as 25%: Benefit from Le Boat’s Early Reserving supply and save as much as 25% on finances, consolation, and Consolation Plus boat leases throughout Europe. Get 15% off Le Boat’s Horizon Fleet, which is offered for journey in Canada, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. E-book earlier than September 1, 2024, and safe your trip with only a 25% deposit on the time of reserving.
- Le Boat’s 2025 Lowest Worth Assure: E-book your 2025 boat rental trip in Europe or Canada with confidence. If the worth drops after you’ve booked, Le Boat will refund the distinction. They assure the bottom value as much as 90 days earlier than departure. Early Reserving provides for the 2025 season, go to https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-season or name 1-800-734-5491.
Rent A Captain with Le Boat
To make boating even simpler for first-time cruisers, Le Boat introduced the launch of its Skipper for Rent program. Obtainable completely alongside the picturesque Canal du Midi in France beginning within the 2025 season and priced at simply US$199 per day, vacationers can enlist the experience of a seasoned Le Boat skipper to accompany them on their maiden voyage. On the primary full day of the voyage, the appointed skipper gives company with hands-on instruction on boat operation, navigation strategies, and maneuvering by way of locks. For extra details about Le Boat’s Skipper for Rent program go to https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-season or name 1-800-734-5491.
Le Boat’s Horizon 2+ Boat
This was our fifth Le Boat journey, so we felt very comfy within the captain’s chair of our Horizon 2+ luxurious houseboat. My brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Janice, joined us for this journey, and the boat comfortably sleeps 4 individuals. There are two bedrooms and two loos, a full kitchen with a full-size fridge, oven, range, and barbecue on the highest deck, and dishes and cookware are provided together with washcloths and a brush and mop.
Whereas the boat sleeps 4 individuals, you may simply drive this boat with two individuals, however it’s definitely much more enjoyable to have further assist with ropes when going by way of locks and mooring for the night time.
Watch our video to be taught what to pack, how straightforward it’s to drive the boat, and what to anticipate when renting a Le Boat Houseboat on the Trent.
Trent Severn Waterway With Le Boat
We took a seven-day cruise from the Le Boat marina simply south of Peterborough to Bobcaygeon. Throughout our journey, we went by way of 13 locks and had an unimaginable journey on one of many world’s most stunning waterways.
The boats are very properly geared up with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Tub and Hand Towels are provided, as are all cooking utensils. There’s a large water tank on board, and we’ve hardly ever wanted to refill our tank throughout a Le Boat journey. Nevertheless, you may fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, maintain it brief and candy so that you gained’t need to maintain refilling the tank.
We propose bringing seashore towels, further dish towels, and cleansing towels for a seven-day journey. We additionally packed shampoo, cleaning soap, and additional bathroom paper. Nevertheless, you should utilize the bathrooms on the locks every night time, and they’re very clear. We suggest utilizing the general public bathrooms as a lot as attainable, that means you gained’t have to fret about emptying your tanks or filling up water throughout your seven day journey. In case you do want a pump out, there may be an additional price, however they’re supplied at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely suggest packing is a few further hangers on your garments. It’s a lot simpler to arrange within the closet with extra hangers.
Day 1-Arrival
We requested an early check-in for 1 pm and spent an hour loading our boat with all our provides. We packed two coolers filled with meals for the week and garments for each scorching and dry climate and funky and moist climate. Canadian summers see all of it.
Le Boat Marina at Horseshoe Bay
After organizing our boat, we met the workers who walked us by way of every little thing we would have liked to know in regards to the boat after which took us on the water for a lesson on hour to drive and steer the boat, how you can use the thrusters, navigate by way of locks and how you can park a ship. By 3pm we had been on the water cruising to our first location.
Peterborough
Locks are open till 6 pm (or 6:30, relying on the time of 12 months), and we had three hours to get to our first vacation spot. This primary day is a brief day, so we propose reserving your first night time on the Peterborough Marina. The mooring charges right here will not be included in your Le Boat rental, however staying on the marina means that you can take pleasure in time in Peterborough and to eat at our favorite restaurant The Lightouse Bar And Grill.
Canadian Canoe Museum
Situated at Lock 20, the Canadian Canoe Museum is the most recent attraction on the Trent Severn Waterway. This fascinating museum homes the world’s largest assortment of canoes, kayaks, and watercraft. We spent about an hour having fun with its reveals that showcase the Indigenous origins of the canoe, the position of the fur commerce in these waters, and the evolution of leisure paddling. There are interactive shows and hands-on actions making it enjoyable for all ages.
The Canadian Canoe Museum is open day by day from 10 am to 5pm. We propose spending the night time within the Peterborough marina after which making your means again to the lock station within the morning to benefit from the museum earlier than heading up the Trent Severn Waterway.
In case you don’t wish to pay for an evening on the Peterborough Marina, all Le Boats embrace free docking at any of the locks on the Trent Waterway. You possibly can keep at Lock 20 without cost and stroll the 5 minutes to the Canadian Canoe Museum within the morning, or you may as well drive on to the Peterborough carry lock and keep there. It’s a simple taxi or Uber journey into city, or you may merely keep on the boat and benefit from the views.
Day 2 – Peterborough to Younger’s Level
Peterborough Raise Lock
Day two is a superb day to spend 4 or 5 hours on the waterway. There’s a lot to see on at the present time, starting along with your journey by way of the world’s highest carry lock. The Peterborough Raise Lock is a lot enjoyable to undergo. Boats drive into an enormous bucket, and as an alternative of ready for the lock to refill with water to take you to the following degree, boats are lifted by a pully system in a large swimming pool-like bucket, taking boats up 150 toes in a mere 58 seconds.
After attending to the highest it’s a stunning day alongside the canal going by way of farmland, forests, golf programs, and beautiful cottage nation.
Stopping at Youngs Level for the night time makes for a lovely night. Right here, there’s a restaurant, store, and ice cream parlor. It’s a scenic spot with waterfalls, chook life, and lovely sundown views. We selected to eat on the boat utilizing the barbecue and benefit from the prime deck to calm down with cocktails.
Day 3 – Younger’s Level to Buckhorn
Immediately is a protracted, scenic day driving by way of spectacular lakes and the Canadian Defend. The islands of Stony Lake are stunning, with multimillion-dollar cottages spanning its shores.
You possibly can cease for lunch on Love Sick Island, a singular lock situated on an island in the midst of the lake. It’s a historic vacation spot with climbing trails (they’re very rugged, although), picnic tables, and hearth pits. Some individuals select to remain in a single day on this island for a quieter night.
When you attain Buckhorn, it’s a big dock with a number of parking spots on the lock. You should purchase energy for round $10 if you wish to use the air con, kitchen, or some other electronics. There’s a liquor retailer, waterfront restaurant, and native retailer to buy any provides, ice, and water. This can be a actually sensible choice to spend the night time.
Day 4 – Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon
Immediately, you wish to get going as early as attainable as a result of parking is proscribed in Bobcaygeon. Nevertheless, you don’t wish to miss spending the night time on this well-known Canadian city. The Tragically Hip wrote about Bobcaygeon, and so they took benefit of their fame by promoting T-shirts with the lyrics on them. Sure, we purchased the T-shirt.
That is the place to buy groceries with a number of shops promoting clothes, sneakers, and souvenirs. There are many eating places to select from and there are bars, patios and microbreweries.
We ate at Gaz, which had a improbable ambiance and scrumptious meals. It was only a brief stroll from the dock overlooking the canal.
Day 5 – Bobcaygeon to Burleigh Falls
In case you have longer, you may go to Fenlan Falls, however with solely two days left in our itinerary, we started the journey again. After having breakfast and ice cream in Bobcaygeon, we made our means slowly south to Burleigh Falls. Burleigh Falls is a lovely waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the speeding water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not a whole lot of facilities, however that’s the smartest thing about taking a Le Boat trip. The boat is totally stocked with every little thing you want. Tonight is an effective night time to have a barbecue on deck, play some playing cards or sit across the picnic desk. If you wish to stroll to the Burleigh Inn, you may go there for dinner. It’s only a 5 minute stroll and there’s a nation retailer close to there as properly.
Day 6 – Burleigh Falls to Lakefield
The rivers run on this path, so the journey residence was a lot quicker. With solely two stops on the way in which again, we made a good time from Bobcaygeon to Lakefield close to Burleigh Falls.
This can be a charming city to spend the night time in, with a beautiful downtown filled with eating places, pubs, and outlets. Ensure that to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to choose up artisanal candies. In case you have bicycles or paddle boards (two items of substances that you would be able to lease from Le Boat), this can be a good place to strive them out. The water is calm, and there are biking trails close by.
Day 7 Lakefield to Le Boat
Immediately is your last day on the Trent Severn Waterway, so take your time and cease in any respect the locks and locations you missed between right here and Horseshoe Bay at Le Boat. Cease and have a picnic lunch, pop into Peterborough, lay on the seashore at lock 20 or just calm down on the waters.
You’ll need to be by way of the final lock by 6 pm so you will get to the Le Boat marina to remain in a single day because the 9 am take a look at comes early. However you could have the night to pack up and cargo your automotive, make your last meal on the barbecue, and discuss with different Le Boaters to see how their journeys went. It actually is a tremendous week on the water.
How Troublesome Are Le Boats to Drive?
The Horizon boats by Le Boat are extraordinarily straightforward houseboats to drive.
You’ve gotten two choices for the place to steer the boat. You possibly can steer it both from the highest flybridge or under within the cabin. It’s a simple shift to flip the steering from under to above, and the Le Boat workers will present you ways to do this.
Up prime provides you the perfect view and management. So when you can drive from there, more often than not, except it’s inclement climate,
The precise management of the boat is tremendous straightforward. The boats include each bow and stern hydraulic thrusters, which let you maneuver the entrance of the boat and the again of the boat, principally aspect to aspect, which actually helps in docking and even going into the locks themselves.
One factor about renting with Le Boat is that y you don’t want a ship license to drive certainly one of these. Earlier than leaving the dock, you’ll have an concerned lesson to find out about how you can deal with the boat. They educate you to show the boat, steer it, park it and run you thru all the protection options.
There are limiters on the boat as properly, so you may solely go 10 km an hour (perhaps 11 or 12 when you have the wind and present behind you. So, when you observe the buoys and markers, it’s straightforward to remain in management.
Planning your Trent Severn Waterway Itinerary
From the Le Boat docks, you may select to go south to Trenton or north to Peterborough and past. If you find yourself planning out your route, simply do not forget that you’re solely doing 10 kilometers an hour at full pace. So whenever you’re planning the place to go from sooner or later to the following, it would be best to take into consideration the timing.
Through the excessive season, you may spend an hour or so on the lock ready for boats to undergo. So our greatest recommendation is to ask the lock masters how busy the locks are forward of you and the way far they assume it is possible for you to to get. They know these waters properly.
Lock Etiquette
Boating the Trent Severn Waterway is a singular expertise. All locks are operated by Parks Canada, so there’s all the time somebody on the lock stations to ask for recommendation. They carry a wealth of details about the historical past of the locks and the native space and waters.
So, how does going by way of the locks work? It’s straightforward, and if you’re uncertain, make certain to ask the workers earlier than leaving the marina. Nevertheless, we’re right here to assist. Listed here are the steps of what to do when approaching a lock.
Drive as much as the blue line and await the pink mild to show inexperienced.
They lock workers will name you in if there isn’t any pink mild or if the lock is already open. When driving in, use your thrusters to take care of management.
These boats are tremendous straightforward to deal with to enter the lock. Simply drive sluggish, use your thrusters and ensure to flip it into reverse to cease.
With 4 individuals on the boat, there will probably be one particular person dealing with the ropes on the again and one other on the entrance. When the boat will get into place, all they need to do is loop the ropes on the lengthy cables hooked up to the lock that may assist to maintain the boat regular because the water rushes in.
You may be within the lock with different boats, so be respectful of their area and enter and depart in an orderly style. Whoever is within the entrance will depart first, after which that aspect will observe earlier than the opposite aspect exits.
In case you have any questions, ask the lock grasp; they may have the ability to let you know the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is without doubt one of the biggest boat journeys on earth. It’s a large portion of the Nice Loop Tour that boaters placed on their bucket lists to take a 12 months cruising from Florida. We suggest anybody (whether or not you’re a boater or not) spend seven days cruising this stunning a part of Canada. As Dave mentioned, phrases and pictures can’t seize the fantastic thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your individual eyes that you simply actually recognize how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas actually are. So, begin planning your journey at this time!