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 inexpensive possibility. Le Boat presents self-drive luxurious houseboats to hire for just a few days to a few weeks. This manner, you may cruise the Trent Severn Waterway at your individual tempo and uncover the hidden gems and sweetness alongside the way in which. This was our fifth Le Boat trip with my brother Jim and his spouse, Janice. We cruised by 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 the Trent Severn waterway, you get to move by 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 in-built 1833. Boaters can journey by 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 the Trent Severn waterway, you get to undergo this superb lock.
Summer season Financial savings with Le Boat
- 2025 Early Reserving Supply – 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, which is on the market 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 presents 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 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 offers friends with hands-on instruction on boat operation, navigation strategies, and maneuvering by 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 equipped 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 actually much more enjoyable to have further assist with ropes when going by 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 13 locks and had an unbelievable journey on one of many world’s most stunning waterways.
The boats are very properly outfitted with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Bathtub and Hand Towels are equipped, 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. Nonetheless, you may fill it on the marinas. When taking showers, maintain it quick and candy so that you gained’t need to maintain refilling the tank.
We propose bringing seaside towels, further dish towels, and cleansing towels for a seven-day journey. We additionally packed shampoo, cleaning soap, and additional rest room paper. Nonetheless, you should utilize the bogs on the locks every evening, and they’re very clear. We suggest utilizing the general public bogs as a lot as potential, that means you gained’t have to fret about emptying your tanks or filling up water throughout your seven day journey. If you happen to do want a pump out, there’s an additional charge, however they’re provided at marinas alongside the waterway.
One factor we extremely suggest packing is a few further hangers to 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 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 the whole lot 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 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 propose 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 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
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 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 day by day from 10 am to 5pm. We propose spending the evening 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.
If you happen to 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 without cost 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 may merely keep on the boat and benefit from the views.
Day 2 – Peterborough to Younger’s 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 together with your journey by the world’s highest raise lock. The Peterborough Elevate Lock is a lot enjoyable to undergo. Boats drive into an enormous bucket, and as a substitute of ready for the lock to replenish 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 toes in a mere 58 seconds.
After attending to the highest it’s a stunning day alongside the canal going by farmland, forests, golf programs, and wonderful cottage nation.
Stopping at Youngs Level for the evening makes for a gorgeous night. Right here, there’s a restaurant, store, and ice cream parlor. It’s a scenic spot with waterfalls, chicken 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
Right this moment is a protracted, scenic day driving by spectacular lakes and the Canadian Defend. The islands of Stony Lake are stunning, 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 mountaineering 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 good selection to spend the evening.
Day 4 – Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon
Right this moment, you wish to get going as early as potential as a result of parking is restricted in Bobcaygeon. Nonetheless, you don’t 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 improbable ambiance and scrumptious meals. It was only a quick stroll from the dock overlooking the canal.
Day 5 – Bobcaygeon to Burleigh Falls
You probably 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 gorgeous waterfall the place locals swim within the waves of the speeding water.
That is extra of a wild tenting night with not quite a lot 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 efficient 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 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 sooner. 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 evening in, with a stunning downtown stuffed with eating places, pubs, and retailers. Be sure to cease within the Chocolate Rabbit to select up artisanal goodies. You probably have bicycles or paddle boards (two items of drugs which 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 calm down on the waters.
You have to to be by 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 may have 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 really is a tremendous 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 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 try this.
Up prime offers you the perfect view and management. So in case 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 among these. Earlier than leaving the dock, you should have an concerned lesson to study easy methods to 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 may solely go 10 km an hour (possibly 11 or 12 if in case you have the wind and present behind you. So, in case 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 velocity. So once you’re planning the place to go from sooner or later to the following, it would be best to take into consideration the timing.
In the course of 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 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 the locks work? It’s straightforward, and in case you are not sure, be certain 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 watch for the pink gentle to show inexperienced.
They lock workers will name you in if there is no such thing as 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 gradual, use your thrusters and ensure to flip it into reverse to cease.
With 4 individuals on the boat, there shall 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 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 house and enter and go away in an orderly vogue. Whoever is within the entrance will go away first, after which that aspect will observe earlier than the opposite aspect exits.
You probably have any questions, ask the lock grasp; they are going to have the ability to inform you the place to go.
Cruising the Trent Severn Water is likely 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 yr 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 images can’t seize the great thing about the Trent. It’s by seeing it with your individual eyes that you simply really admire how particular the Trent Severn and Kawarthas really are. So, begin planning your journey right now!
