The Trent Severn Waterway is the most important inland waterway on the planet. Most individuals who navigate it both personal their very own boats or have outrageously priced cottages on the water.ย Nevertheless, there’s a enjoyable and reasonably priced solution to pattern a style of the Trent Severn.ย Le Boat gives self-drive, luxurious houseboats to hire for a few days to a few weeks, permitting you to discover the Trent anyplace you need.ย
Concerning the Trent Severn Waterway
The Trent-Severn Waterway is a Nationwide Historic Web site that stretches 386 kilometers from Lake Ontarioโs Bay of Quinte in Trenton to Georgian Bay in Port Severn. Accomplished in 1920, the waterway options 44 locks, together with the worldโs highest hydraulic carry lock in Peterborough, which raises boats 19.8 meters in buckets. When driving a Le Boat via the Trent Severn waterway, you get to cross via this unbelievable lock.
Summer time Financial savings with Le Boat
2025 Early Reserving Provide โ Save as much as 25%: Benefit from Le Boatโs Early Reserving provide and save as much as 25% on funds, consolation, and Consolation Plus boat leases throughout Europe. Get 15% off Le Boatโs Horizon Fleet accessible for journey in Canada, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. Ebook earlier than September 1, 2024, and safe your trip with only a 25% deposit on the time of reserving.
Le Boatโs 2025 Lowest Worth Assure: Ebook your 2025 boat rental trip in Europe or Canada with confidence. If the worth drops after youโve booked, Le Boat will refund the distinction. They assure the bottom value as much as 90 days earlier than departure. Early Reserving gives for the 2025 season, go toย https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-seasonย or name 1-800-734-5491.
Rent A Captain with Le Boat
To make boating even simpler for first-time cruisers, Le Boat, the chief in non-public boating holidays in Europe and Canada, declares the launch of its progressive Skipper for Rent program.
Out there 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 supplies visitors with hands-on instruction on boat operation, navigation methods, and maneuvering via locks. This personalised steerage instills confidence, empowering visitors to navigate independently for the rest of their tour.
For extra details about Le Boatโs Skipper for Rent program go toย https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-seasonย or name 1-800-734-5491.
Le Boatโs Horizon 2+ Boat
This was our fifth Le Boat journey so we felt very comfy within the captainโs 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 loos, a full kitchen with a full-size fridge, oven, range, and barbecue on the highest deck. Dishes and cookware are equipped together with washcloths and a brush and mop.
Whereas the boat sleeps 4 folks, you’ll be able to simply drive this boat with two folks, however it’s definitely much more enjoyable to have further assist with ropes when going via locks and mooring for the evening.
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 via 13 locks and had an unbelievable journey on one of many worldโs most lovely waterways.
The boats are very properly outfitted with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Tub and Hand Towels are equipped, 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. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, maintain it quick and candy so that you gainedโt should maintain refilling the tank.
We advise bringing seashore towels, further dish towels, and cleansing towels for a seven-day journey. We additionally packed shampoo, cleaning soap, and further rest room paper. Nevertheless, you should use the bathrooms on the locks every evening, and they’re very clear. We advocate utilizing the general public bathrooms as a lot as attainable, that approach you gainedโt have to fret about emptying your tanks or filling up water throughout your seven day journey. For those who do want a pump out, there may be an additional price, however they’re provided at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely advocate packing is a few further hangers in 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 employees who walked us via all the pieces 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 one can use the thrusters, navigate via locks and how one can 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 will not be included in your Le Boat rental, however staying on the marina lets you take pleasure in 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 latest attraction on the Trent Severn Waterway. This fascinating museum homes the worldโs 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 each day from 10 am to 5pm. We advise spending the evening within the Peterborough marina after which making your approach again to the lock station within the morning to benefit from the museum earlier than heading up the Trent Severn Waterway.
For those who donโt 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’ll be able to keep at Lock 20 without cost and stroll the 5 minutes to the Canadian Canoe Museum within the morning, or you can too drive on to the Peterborough carry lock and keep there. It’s a simple taxi or Uber trip into city, or you’ll be able to merely keep on the boat and benefit from the views.
Day 2 โ Peterborough to Youngerโs Level
Peterborough Elevate Lock
Day two is a superb day to spend 4 or 5 hours on the waterway. There’s a lot to see on today, starting along with your journey via the worldโs highest carry lock. The Peterborough Elevate Lock is a lot enjoyable to undergo. Boats drive into an enormous bucket, and as an alternative of ready for the lock to replenish with water to take you to the subsequent degree, boats are lifted by a pully system in an enormous swimming pool-like bucket, taking boats up 150 toes in a mere 58 seconds.
After attending to the highest it’s a lovely day alongside the canal going via farmland, forests, golf programs, and wonderful cottage nation.
Stopping at Youngs Level for the evening makes for a fantastic night. Right here, there’s a restaurant, store, and ice cream parlor. It’s a scenic spot with waterfalls, chicken life, and beautiful sundown views. We selected to eat on the boat utilizing the barbecue and benefit from the prime deck to chill out with cocktails.
Day 3 โ Youngerโs Level to Buckhorn
As we speak is a protracted, scenic day driving via spectacular lakes and the Canadian Protect. 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 novel lock situated 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, itโs 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 sensible choice to spend the evening.
Day 4 โ Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon
As we speak, you wish to get going as early as attainable as a result of parking is proscribed in Bobcaygeon. Nevertheless, you donโt wish to miss spending the evening 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 unbelievable ambiance and scrumptious meals. It was only a quick stroll from the dock overlooking the canal.
Day 5 โ Bobcaygeon to Burleigh Falls
In case you have longer, you’ll be able to 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 approach slowly south to Burleigh Falls. Burleigh Falls is a fantastic waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the speeding water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not a variety of facilities, however that’s the smartest thing about taking a Le Boat trip. The boat is absolutely stocked with all the pieces 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’ll be able to go there for dinner. It’s only a 5 minute stroll and there’s a nation retailer close to there as properly.
Day 6 โ Burleigh Falls to Lakefield
The rivers run on this route, so the journey dwelling 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. Be sure to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to select up artisanal sweets. In case you have bicycles or paddle boards (two items of drugs you could hire from Le Boat), it is a good place to strive them out. The water is calm, and there are biking trails close by.
Day 7 Lakefield to Le Boat
As we speak is your closing 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 chill out on the waters.
You will have to be via 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 might have the night to pack up and cargo your automotive, make your closing meal on the barbecue, and speak 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 will have 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. Itโs a simple shift to flip the steering from beneath to above, and the Le Boat employees will present you ways to do this.
Up prime offers you the very best view and management. So for those who can drive from there, more often than not, except itโs 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 facet to facet, 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 considered one of these. Earlier than leaving the dock, you should have an concerned lesson to study how one can deal with the boat. They train you to show the boat, steer it, park it and run you thru all the security options.
There are limiters on the boat as properly, so you’ll be able to solely go 10 km an hour (possibly 11 or 12 you probably have the wind and present behind you. So, for those who observe the buoys and markers, it’s straightforward to remain in management.
Planning your Trent Severn Waterway Itinerary
From the Le Boat docks, you’ll be able to select to go south to Trenton or north to Peterborough and past. If you find yourself planning out your route, simply keep in mind that youโre solely doing 10 kilometers an hour at full velocity. So whenever youโre planning the place to go from sooner or later to the subsequent, it would be best to take into consideration the timing.
In the course of the excessive season, you’ll be able to 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 properly.
Lock Etiquette
Boating the Trent Severn Waterway is a novel expertise. All locks are operated by Parks Canada, so thereโs 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 via the locks work? Itโs straightforward, and if you’re uncertain, be certain to ask the employees 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 look ahead to the pink gentle to show inexperienced.
They lock employees will name you in if there isn’t a pink gentle 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 sluggish, use your thrusters and ensure to flip it into reverse to cease.
With 4 folks on the boat, there shall be one individual 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 can assist to maintain the boat regular because the water rushes in.
You’ll be within the lock with different boats, so be respectful of their house and enter and depart in an orderly vogue. Whoever is within the entrance will depart first, after which that facet will observe earlier than the opposite facet exits.
In case you have any questions, ask the lock grasp; they’ll have the ability to inform you the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is without doubt 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 images can’t seize the fantastic thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your personal eyes that you just actually recognize how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas actually are. So, begin planning your journey at present!