Discover the Trent Severn Waterway with Le Boat 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 possibility. Le Boat gives self-drive luxurious houseboats to lease for a couple of days to a few weeks. This fashion, you possibly can cruise the Trent Severn Waterway at your personal tempo and uncover the hidden gems and wonder alongside the best way. This was our fifth Le Boat trip with my brother Jim and his spouse, Janice. We cruised by means of the historic locks for a 7-night journey from Peterborough to Bobcaygeon, and right here’s what to anticipate.
Concerning 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 raise lock in Peterborough, which raises boats 19.8 meters in buckets. When driving a Le Boat by means of the Trent Severn waterway, you get to move by means of this unbelievable 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 inbuilt 1833. Boaters can journey by means of 44 locks, together with the world’s highest hydraulic raise lock in Peterborough, which lifts boats 19.8 meters in bucket-like containers. If you drive a Le Boat by means of the Trent Severn waterway, you get to undergo this superb lock.
Summer season Financial savings with Le Boat
2025 Early Reserving Provide – Save as much as 25%: Reap the benefits of Le Boat’s Early Reserving supply and save as much as 25% on funds, consolation, and Consolation Plus boat leases throughout Europe. Get 15% off Le Boat’s Horizon Fleet, which is accessible 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 Value Assure: E-book your 2025 boat rental trip in Europe or Canada with confidence. If the value drops after you’ve booked, Le Boat will refund the distinction. They assure the bottom worth as much as 90 days earlier than departure. Early Reserving gives 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. Out there solely 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 supplies friends with hands-on instruction on boat operation, navigation methods, and maneuvering by means 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 snug 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 folks. There are two bedrooms and two bogs, 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 folks, you possibly can simply drive this boat with two folks, however it’s actually much more enjoyable to have additional assist with ropes when going by means of locks and mooring for the evening.
Watch our video to study 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 means of 13 locks and had an unbelievable journey on one of many world’s most lovely waterways.
The boats are very effectively geared up with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Bathtub and Hand Towels are provided, as are all cooking utensils. There’s a big water tank on board, and we’ve not often wanted to refill our tank throughout a Le Boat journey. Nonetheless, you possibly can fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, hold it brief and candy so that you received’t should hold refilling the tank.
We propose bringing seashore towels, additional dish towels, and cleansing towels for a seven-day journey. We additionally packed shampoo, cleaning soap, and additional bathroom paper. Nonetheless, you should utilize the bogs on the locks every evening, and they’re very clear. We advocate utilizing the general public bogs as a lot as potential, that manner you received’t have to fret about emptying your tanks or filling up water throughout your seven day journey. In the event you do want a pump out, there may be an additional payment, however they’re supplied at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely advocate packing is a few additional hangers on your garments. It’s a lot simpler to prepare 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 means of every part 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, easy methods to use the thrusters, navigate by means of locks and easy methods to park a ship. By 3pm we have been on the water cruising to our first location.
Peterborough
Locks are open till 6 pm (or 6:30, relying on the time of yr), and we had three hours to get to our first vacation spot. This primary day is a brief day, so we recommend reserving your first evening on the Peterborough Marina. The mooring charges right here are usually not included in your Le Boat rental, however staying on the marina lets you get pleasure from time in Peterborough and to eat at our favorite restaurant The Lightouse Bar And Grill.
Canadian Canoe Museum
Positioned 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 displays 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 each day from 10 am to 5pm. We propose spending the evening within the Peterborough marina after which making your manner again to the lock station within the morning to benefit from the museum earlier than heading up the Trent Severn Waterway.
In the event you don’t need 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’ll be able to keep at Lock 20 without spending a dime and stroll the 5 minutes to the Canadian Canoe Museum within the morning, or you can even drive on to the Peterborough raise lock and keep there. It’s a simple taxi or Uber trip into city, or you possibly can merely keep on the boat and benefit from the views.
Day 2 – Peterborough to Younger’s Level
Peterborough Carry Lock
Day two is a good day to spend 4 or 5 hours on the waterway. There’s a lot to see on today, starting together with your journey by means of the world’s highest raise lock. The Peterborough Carry 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 stage, boats are lifted by a pully system in a large swimming pool-like bucket, taking boats up 150 ft in a mere 58 seconds.
After attending to the highest it’s a lovely day alongside the canal going by means of farmland, forests, golf programs, and beautiful cottage nation.
Stopping at Youngs Level for the evening makes for a good looking night. Right here, there’s a restaurant, store, and ice cream parlor. It’s a scenic spot with waterfalls, hen life, and beautiful 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
At this time is an extended, scenic day driving by means of spectacular lakes and the Canadian Defend. The islands of Stony Lake are lovely, with multimillion-dollar cottages spanning its shores.
You’ll be able to cease for lunch on Love Sick Island, a singular lock positioned on an island in the course of the lake. It’s a historic vacation spot with mountain climbing trails (they’re very rugged, although), picnic tables, and hearth pits. Some folks 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 another electronics. There’s a liquor retailer, waterfront restaurant, and native retailer to buy any provides, ice, and water. This can be a actually good selection to spend the evening.
Day 4 – Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon
At this time, you need to get going as early as potential as a result of parking is restricted in Bobcaygeon. Nonetheless, you don’t need to miss spending the evening on this well-known Canadian city. The Tragically Hip wrote about Bobcaygeon, they usually 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, footwear, 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
When you’ve got longer, you possibly can 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 manner slowly south to Burleigh Falls. Burleigh Falls is a good looking waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the speeding water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not lots of facilities, however that’s the smartest thing about taking a Le Boat trip. The boat is absolutely stocked with every part you want. Tonight is an effective evening 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 possibly can go there for dinner. It’s only a 5 minute stroll and there’s a nation retailer close to there as effectively.
Day 6 – Burleigh Falls to Lakefield
The rivers run on this route, so the journey house was a lot quicker. With solely two stops on the best way again, we made a good time from Bobcaygeon to Lakefield close to Burleigh Falls.
This can be a charming city to spend the evening in, with a beautiful downtown filled with eating places, pubs, and outlets. Ensure that to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to select up artisanal goodies. When you’ve got bicycles or paddle boards (two items of substances you could lease from Le Boat), it is a good place to attempt them out. The water is calm, and there are biking trails close by.
Day 7 Lakefield to Le Boat
At this time is your ultimate 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 will want to be by means of the final lock by 6 pm so you may get to the Le Boat marina to remain in a single day because the 9 am try comes early. However you’ve got the night to pack up and cargo your automotive, make your ultimate meal on the barbecue, and discuss with different Le Boaters to see how their journeys went. It actually is an incredible week on the water.
How Tough Are Le Boats to Drive?
The Horizon boats by Le Boat are extraordinarily straightforward houseboats to drive.
You’ve two choices for the place to steer the boat. You’ll be able to steer it both from the highest flybridge or beneath within the cabin. It’s a simple shift to flip the steering from beneath to above, and the Le Boat workers will present you ways to try this.
Up prime offers you the most effective 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, mainly 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 do not want a ship license to drive considered one of these. Earlier than leaving the dock, you should have an concerned lesson to study easy methods to deal with the boat. They educate you to show the boat, steer it, park it and run you thru all the security options.
There are limiters on the boat as effectively, so you possibly can solely go 10 km an hour (possibly 11 or 12 if in case 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 possibly can select to go south to Trenton or north to Peterborough and past. When you find yourself planning out your route, simply keep in mind that you’re solely doing 10 kilometers an hour at full pace. So once you’re planning the place to go from in the future to the following, you’ll want to take into consideration the timing.
Through the excessive season, you possibly can 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 suppose it is possible for you to to get. They know these waters effectively.
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 means of the locks work? It’s straightforward, and if you’re not sure, be sure to ask the workers earlier than leaving the marina. Nonetheless, we’re right here to assist. Listed below are the steps of what to do when approaching a lock.
Drive as much as the blue line and await the crimson mild to show inexperienced.
They lock workers will name you in if there isn’t any crimson mild or if the lock is already open. When driving in, use your thrusters to keep up management.
These boats are tremendous straightforward to deal with to enter the lock. Simply drive gradual, use your thrusters and ensure to flip it into reverse to cease.
With 4 folks on the boat, there might 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 should 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 house 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.
When you’ve got any questions, ask the lock grasp; they may be capable to let you know the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is likely one of the best boat journeys on earth. It’s a big portion of the Nice Loop Tour that boaters placed on their bucket lists to take a yr cruising from Florida. We advocate anybody (whether or not you’re a boater or not) spend seven days cruising this lovely a part of Canada. As Dave stated, phrases and photographs can’t seize the great thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your personal eyes that you just actually respect how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas actually are. So, begin planning your journey at the moment!
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