The Trent Severn Waterway is the biggest inland waterway on this planet. Most individuals who navigate it both personal their very own boats or have outrageously priced cottages on the water. Nevertheless, there’s a enjoyable and inexpensive approach to pattern a style of the Trent Severn. Le Boat affords self-drive, luxurious houseboats to hire for a few days to a few weeks, permitting you to discover the Trent wherever you need.
In regards to the Trent Severn Waterway
The Trent-Severn Waterway is a Nationwide Historic Website 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 cross by means of this unbelievable 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 provide and save as much as 25% on price range, consolation, and Consolation Plus boat leases throughout Europe. Get 15% off Le Boat’s Horizon Fleet out there 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 value 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 affords 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, the chief in non-public boating holidays in Europe and Canada, proclaims the launch of its revolutionary Skipper for Rent program.
Accessible 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 strategies, and maneuvering by means of locks. This customized steering instills confidence, empowering friends to navigate independently for the rest of their tour.
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 individuals. There are two bedrooms and two bogs, 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 individuals, you possibly can simply drive this boat with two individuals, however it’s actually much more enjoyable to have further assist with ropes when going by means of locks and mooring for the evening.
Watch our video to study what to pack, how simple 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 outfitted with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Tub and Hand Towels are equipped, as are all cooking utensils. There’s a enormous water tank on board, and we now have not often wanted to refill our tank throughout a Le Boat journey. Nevertheless, you possibly can fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, hold it brief and candy so that you gained’t should hold refilling the tank.
We recommend bringing seashore towels, further dish towels, and cleansing towels for a seven-day journey. We additionally packed shampoo, cleaning soap, and further bathroom paper. Nevertheless, you need to use the bogs on the locks every evening, and they’re very clear. We suggest utilizing the general public bogs as a lot as doable, that manner you gained’t have to fret about emptying your tanks or filling up water throughout your seven day journey. When you do want a pump out, there may be an additional charge, however they’re supplied at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely suggest packing is a few further hangers in 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 employees who walked us by means of the whole lot we would have liked to know concerning 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 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 recommend reserving your first evening on the Peterborough Marina. The mooring charges right here should not included in your Le Boat rental, however staying on the marina permits you to 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 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 function 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 recommend 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.
When 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’ll be able to keep at Lock 20 free of charge and stroll the 5 minutes to the Canadian Canoe Museum within the morning, or you too can 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 superb day to spend 4 or 5 hours on the waterway. There’s a lot to see on today, starting along 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 a substitute of ready for the lock to refill with water to take you to the following stage, boats are lifted by a pully system in an enormous 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 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, hen life, and beautiful sundown views. We selected to eat on the boat utilizing the barbecue and benefit from the high deck to calm down with cocktails.
Day 3 – Younger’s Level to Buckhorn
Immediately is a protracted, 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 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 fireplace 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. It is a actually good selection to spend the evening.
Day 4 – Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon
Immediately, you wish to get going as early as doable as a result of parking is proscribed in Bobcaygeon. Nevertheless, you don’t wish 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 have 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 fantastic waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the speeding water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not plenty of facilities, however that’s the smartest thing about taking a Le Boat trip. The boat is absolutely stocked with the whole lot 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 path, 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.
It is a charming city to spend the evening in, with a beautiful downtown filled with eating places, pubs, and outlets. Be certain that to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to select up artisanal goodies. When you have bicycles or paddle boards (two items of substances you can 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
Immediately 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 calm down on the waters.
You will want to be by means 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’ve the night to pack up and cargo your automobile, make your closing meal on the barbecue, and discuss with different Le Boaters to see how their journeys went. It really is an incredible week on the water.
How Tough Are Le Boats to Drive?
The Horizon boats by Le Boat are extraordinarily simple houseboats to drive.
You have got two choices for the place to steer the boat. You’ll be able to 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 employees will present you ways to do this.
Up high provides you the very best view and management. So should you can drive from there, more often than not, until it’s inclement climate,
The precise management of the boat is tremendous simple. 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 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 find out about 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, should you comply with the buoys and markers, it’s simple 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’re planning out your route, simply do not forget that you’re solely doing 10 kilometers an hour at full pace. So once you’re planning the place to go from someday to the following, it would be best to take into consideration the timing.
In the course of 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 simple, and in case you are uncertain, ensure 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 crimson mild to show inexperienced.
They lock employees will name you in if there isn’t a crimson mild or if the lock is already open. When driving in, use your thrusters to take care of management.
These boats are tremendous simple 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 likely 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 connected to the lock that can 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 vogue. Whoever is within the entrance will depart first, after which that facet will comply with earlier than the opposite facet exits.
When you have any questions, ask the lock grasp; they’ll have the ability to let you know the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is likely one of the biggest boat journeys on earth. It’s a enormous 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 lovely a part of Canada. As Dave stated, phrases and pictures can’t seize the great thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your personal eyes that you just really respect how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas really are. So, begin planning your journey immediately!