Two weeks on the Rideau

[eastont]

We just bought a 1990 Carver 2767 Santego, and we plan to spend up to 2 weeks cruising the Rideau Canal. The Admiral (wife) fell in love with the layout from what she saw on the net, so when I told her the deal went through she jumped for joy....or a reasonable facsimile.
Compared to our other boat 25' Larson DC, it's about 3 times the cabin space, so it should me very comfortable. I hope the weather is at least 50/50 rain or sun. The forecast is for rain the first 2 days, but then sun for the next 4 days.

What I haven't told her yet, is that instead of climbing and going through the centre windshield to get to the bow, she'll have to go out the cockpit and past the outside of the helm then onto the bow. This should be very interesting as we go through the locks........LOL.

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

The Rideau canal looks absolutely beautiful from the little that I have seen and from research online. I hope that you guys have an awesome time!

Hope that you enjoy the new boat and don't forget to post pics of the trip when you get back!

 

[woodee148]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

it is beautiful up there, we spent some time on the upper and lower Rideau last summer and I hope to get back one day (week, month) to do some more exploring. If you get a chance go into westport, its a great little town just 10 mins out of your way on the upper rideau (or maybe its the lower)

not sure how familar you are with the area but they rent houseboats "WATCH OUT FOR THEM" they have no idea what they are doing

 

[rbh]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

I use to love to go up the canal when I was posted to cfb kingston, 100% humidity HELLO jones falls locks as well as lots of other little stops.
how long do you expect a trip from kingston to ottawa will take?
have fun
rob

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

What I haven't told her yet, is that instead of climbing and going through the centre windshield to get to the bow, she'll have to go out the cockpit and past the outside of the helm then onto the bow. This should be very interesting as we go through the locks........LOL.

My Cruisers Vee Sport was like that...

my wife got used to hopping onto the bed then popping up through the hatch like a groundhog...

It was funny to see.

 

[eastont]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

That's just how she got to the bow Howard. She looked up at the bow hatch the first night and said "Is there any reason why I can't climb up through this?" I said other than looking weird....no.
It was a great 2 weeks, not a drop of rain and sunshine everyday. And, since school was back in early some places, the locks and the canal were almost empty. After going up at Kingston Mills with 1 other boat, we were the only boat until we reached the Narrows on our 4th day.
We had to leave Westport because I was worried she would spend all our childrens' inheritance. What a great wee village. Two excellent bakeries meant we had to compare which one made the best buttertarts & chocolate chip cookies.
We went up the Tay Canal to Perth and upon approaching the lock the Lock Master asked if I knew one of the engines was smoking as I slowed. I had noticed a bit of smoke earlier but didn't really take too much attention. Then upon returning from Perth we hit a shoal and folded the starboard prop quite a bit. Apparently some kids keep stealing the marker........

I'll post some pics in a bit

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Sounds like you had a great time!! Except for the little smoke and prop damage, glad it wasn't any worse!

Sounds like you have a very relaxing, quiet and peaceful time! Glad that you were able to do it and looking forward to seeing the pictures when you get them posted!

 

[eastont]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Some pics of a small portion of the Rideau Canal. The second picture is typical of the swing bridges. They are so well balanced, it only takes a little energy to open/close them. Almost all the locks are still operated by hand and emptied at night so they aren't "swimming pools" for the local kids.

 

[eastont]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

One more

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Looks very peaceful! Thanks for posting the pics!!

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Looks like a great trip.

Being new boaters in Ontario, we're hoping to do some day trips on the Rideau.

I'm curious how much is no wake vs on plane. Is there a nice mix?

I don't mind going slow, but also like to open it up a little so doing a whole day at trolling speed is not my cup of tea.

 

[eastont]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Most of the time the actual canal is from one end of a lake to another. The no-wake zones are only posted at the very narrow cuts. If you want you can just hit WOT and go as fast as you can, but you miss all the beautiful scenery.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Two weeks on the Rideau

Most of the time the actual canal is from one end of a lake to another. The no-wake zones are only posted at the very narrow cuts. If you want you can just hit WOT and go as fast as you can, but you miss all the beautiful scenery.

Sounds great.

I have no problem going slow and seeing scenery but sometimes she just needs to be opened up. I figure we'd run the lakes on plane and putter through the canal.

We hope to do a section or two next year on the Ottawa end as my inlaws are there so we can make day trips rather than overnighthing it (we have a bowrider.)