Trent-Severn Waterway - Part IV

 TRAVEL DAY 92 - Orillia to Big Chute

August 9, 2023

5.18 Hours/34.4 Miles

    With very little of the Trent left, we motored out of Orillia and across Lake Couchiching to Washago. Entering a well marked channel at the end of the lake called "The Bowling Alley" because it is a straight fairway, we proceeded through the rock lined entrance toward Lock #42. Instead of going straight, we made a port turn into McGregor on the Water Marina for a fuel top off & a much needed pump out. With only a 14.5 gallon holding tank it doesn't take long to fill.

  

Lock #42 - Couchiching

    Once pumped out and filled up, we spun the Troll around in the narrow rock ringed basin and got back out to the canal. Prior to the lock is a railway swing bridge with an operator that is notorious for being in a foul mood. Although the instructions are to sound the horn for an opening, many folks have reported that doing so seems to irritate him enough that he purposely keeps the bridge shut for longer than needed times. With a reported 12' height, we dropped our antennas and top, allowing us to squeak under. Never Home, another Looper behind us did the same and cleared by about 8"!

 

Never Home makes a tight squeeze

    The lock was open and waiting for us when we arrived and we went through fairly quickly. Once out of the lock it was across Sparrow Lake and some more very narrow but beautiful channels to Lock #43 Swift Rapids.  Along the way we were able to catch a glimpse of 2 Otters swimming across the water and climbing out on the rocky shore.

   

Lock #43 - Swift Rapids

    Even more narrow and rocky shored water awaited us and another swing bridge, this one with a large sign that said "SOUND HORN THREE TIMES FOR OPENING". I did just that as the swift current pulled us closer to the bridge. I sounded the horn 3 more times jockeying the boat in and out of gear until I heard the signal from the bridge. In a few moments it began to slowly rotate away from us and we proceeded through.

  

Eyes on the water, hands on the wheel!

    An hour later we came to the second to the last lock on the Trent-Severn and one we were excited to move through, or should I say over. The Big Chute Marine Railway. The railway carry's boats in individual cradles over a 60' change in height and is the only one of it's kind in North America and in use since 1919. It was originally only meant to be a temporary solution until a full lock could be constructed but was found to be effective at preventing the intrusion of Sea Lampreys into the waterway.

  

Ottyssey on the Big Chute

 

On the other side and tied up for the night

  

    Another engineering marvel of this waterway and certainly a really neat experience. We pulled up to the blue line and the lockmaster called over to us with questions about our length, beam and draft. He instructed us to take in all of our fenders and then proceed in. The second boat in, we pulled up and the lockmaster tightened the slings to secure us in place and instructed me to shut off the engine. In a few minutes, as the traffic gates were dropped to prevent vehicles from crossing the road, the carriage began to exit the water and move slowly up a small incline. A strange feeling to be in our boat as we moved down the other longer, steeper side and placed in the pool on the other side. Once released, we made our way to the floating docks to tie up for the evening.

  

Orillia to Big Chute

TRAVEL DAY 93 - Big Chute to Beausoleil Island

August 10, 2023

5.18 Hours/34.4 Miles

    Today we finish up the Trent-Severn Waterway. With an overcast day and rain on the way, we prepared the boat for an 8:15 am departure on the final segment of the Trent. With 1 lock to go, the smallest of all the locks on the Trent-Severn.

Last lock in the rain

   We arrived with Ottyssey our traveling companion for the last few weeks at Lock #45 at Port Severn. The lockmaster asked the lengths and beams of our vessels and was able to just barely squeeze us into the lock. Upon exiting the red and green markers changed again and the swift current form the dam overflow made for a challenging exit. The markers were very close indicating no room for error. 

Dinghy Ride

    Under the bridge and out into the broad expanse of Georgian Bay. We made it to another leg of our Canadian adventure and what was sure to be some of the prettiest and treacherous cruising waters so far. 

Cedar Springs Anchorage, Beausoleil Island

    The crew was excited as it looked like we would finally catch up with the folks on Bama Breeze, fast friends we had really gotten to know in Solomons Island, MD. Bama Breeze was anchored in a cove on Beausoleil Island in Cedar Springs Anchorage in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park.

Pau Hana rafted to Bama Breeze

  

Beausoleil Island

    On VHF 73 I made the call "Bama Breeze, Bama Breeze, Bama Breeze...Pau Hana". "I see you Pau Hana, come on to our starboard side, we'll get your lines" was the reply from the guy I dubbed "The Dude".  We settled in beside Bama Breeze saving us from having to deploy our anchor. We chatted some and caught up on where we'd been and made plans for 5:30 pm Docktales.

Bama Breeze, Ottyssey & Pau Hana

    With a beautiful day, we dropped the dinghy so the crew could get in their daily run and we could explore Beusoliel Island. This Parks Canada spot is very popular and there were a fair amount of boats in the anchorage and at the campsites.

    

Beausoleil Island

  

More sage advice from the Captain

    I've said it before, and I think most Loopers would agree that one of the best parts of this adventure is the people you meet and the friends you make. We have made some awesome friends that we believe will be lifelong connections.

Big Chute to Beausoleil Island