The Trent Severn Waterway is the most important inland waterway on this planet. Most individuals who navigate it both personal their very own boats or have outrageously priced cottages on the water. Nonetheless, there’s a enjoyable and reasonably priced method 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.Â
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 carry 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 go by means of this unbelievable lock.
Summer time Financial savings with Le Boat
- 2025 Early Reserving Provide – Save as much as 25%: Make the most of Le Boat’s Early Reserving provide and save as much as 25% on funds, consolation, and Consolation Plus boat leases throughout Europe. Get 15% off Le Boat’s Horizon Fleet 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 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 personal boating holidays in Europe and Canada, proclaims the launch of its revolutionary 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 gives company with hands-on instruction on boat operation, navigation strategies, and maneuvering by means of locks. This customized steering instills confidence, empowering company 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 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 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 provided 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 actually much more enjoyable to have additional assist with ropes when going by means of locks and mooring for the night time.
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 stunning waterways.
The boats are very properly 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 have now hardly ever wanted to refill our tank throughout a Le Boat journey. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, maintain it quick and candy so that you gained’t must maintain refilling the tank.
We advise bringing seaside 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 night time, and they’re very clear. We advocate 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 payment, however they’re provided at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely advocate packing is a few additional 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 stuffed with meals for the week and garments for each sizzling 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 all the pieces 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, use the thrusters, navigate by means of locks and 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 night time on the Peterborough Marina. The mooring charges right here should not included in your Le Boat rental, however staying on the marina means that you can get pleasure from 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 latest 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 advise spending the night time 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 embody free docking at any of the locks on the Trent Waterway. You possibly can keep at Lock 20 without spending a dime and stroll the 5 minutes to the Canadian Canoe Museum within the morning, or you may also drive on to the Peterborough carry lock and keep there. It’s a simple taxi or Uber journey into city, or you’ll be able to 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 this present day, starting together with your journey by means of the world’s highest carry 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 degree, 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 stunning day alongside the canal going by means of farmland, forests, golf programs, and beautiful cottage nation.
Stopping at Youngs Level for the night time makes for an exquisite 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 high deck to loosen up with cocktails.
Day 3 – Younger’s Level to Buckhorn
Right this moment is a protracted, scenic day driving by means of spectacular lakes and the Canadian Protect. 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 positioned on an island in the midst of the lake. It’s a historic vacation spot with mountaineering 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 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
Right this moment, you wish to get going as early as doable as a result of parking is proscribed in Bobcaygeon. Nonetheless, 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, 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 incredible ambiance and scrumptious meals. It was only a quick stroll from the dock overlooking the canal.
Day 5 – Bobcaygeon to Burleigh Falls
When 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 manner slowly south to Burleigh Falls. Burleigh Falls is an exquisite waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the dashing water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not loads of facilities, however that’s the smartest thing about taking a Le Boat trip. The boat is totally stocked with all the pieces 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’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 – Burleigh Falls to Lakefield
The rivers run on this course, so the journey residence was a lot sooner. 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 night time in, with a stunning downtown stuffed with eating places, pubs, and retailers. Be sure to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to select up artisanal sweets. When you have bicycles or paddle boards (two items of drugs you can hire 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
Right this moment 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 seaside at lock 20 or just loosen up on the waters.
You’ll need 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 take a look at comes early. However you have got the night to pack up and cargo your automotive, make your ultimate meal on the barbecue, and speak with different Le Boaters to see how their journeys went. It really 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 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 high offers you the perfect view and management. So should 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 one in all these. Earlier than leaving the dock, you’ll have an concerned lesson to find out about 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 properly, so you’ll be able to solely go 10 km an hour (perhaps 11 or 12 you probably have the wind and present behind you. So, should you comply with 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. When you find yourself planning out your route, simply do not forget that you’re solely doing 10 kilometers an hour at full pace. So while you’re planning the place to go from at some point to the following, it would be best to take into consideration the timing.
Throughout 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 singular expertise. All locks are operated by Parks Canada, so there’s at all times 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, make sure that to ask the workers earlier than leaving the marina. Nonetheless, 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 watch for 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 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 can 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 must 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 can be within the lock with different boats, so be respectful of their house and enter and go away in an orderly trend. Whoever is within the entrance will go away first, after which that aspect will comply with earlier than the opposite aspect exits.
When you have any questions, ask the lock grasp; they may have the ability to inform you the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is without doubt one of the biggest 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 stunning a part of Canada. As Dave mentioned, phrases and photographs can’t seize the great thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your personal eyes that you simply really recognize how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas really are. So, begin planning your journey at present!
