Parry Sound to Big Chute

Parry Sound to the Big Chute lift railway chart view.

Today we left Big Sound Marina in Parry Sound at 7:45am and entered the Trent-Severn waterway system of canals at Port Severn at 2:07pm. Kept our speed 9 to 10 knots most of the way. Winds 4 to 8 knots N to E and sunny the whole day.

One thing about our boat and it's range of speed. Because the Rosborough is a semi-displacement design it's hard to gauge what speed is the most efficient in terms of fuel usage. Once over about 7.4 knots you start pushing a lot of water steadily as you increase your speed to 10, 12, 14 knots. The attitude of the boat doesn't really change like it does when a planing hull boat pops up at planing speeds. So, although we've been logging the miles run and fuel used, that'll only give us a rough idea of our miles per gallon since we'll never be able to run at one speed for between fuel fill ups. Looks like installing a fuel flow monitor will be a future upgrade we'll go ahead with.

We didn't have much time to get ready for our first lock at Port Severn as the lock was open and ready for us as we approached (and the lock had 5 boats already in and waiting). Luckily all went well, and after we were thru we tied up on the seawall above the lock to settle the paperwork with the Parks Canada folks for the Transit Permit to go thru all 42 locks. Cost is $4.65 per foot or CAD$116.25 for our 25 footer.

Next up is the Big Chute marine railway. Basically you drive your boat into a submerged steel mobile dry dock. They position straps underneath your hull (quickly and safely) and in no time the dry dock moves over two parallel railway tracks up the hill over the railway tracks into the next body of water. We'll upload a video shortly as well.


Sailboat heading out of Parry Sound. We had left the marina in clear weather but once out in the Sound there was a low cloud bank just east and south of us that eventually gave way.



The prevailing winds here in this latitude are from the west, as can be noted by the defined growth of these pines.


Even with our Garmin chartplotter with preloaded Bluechart navigation charts installed, and with paper charts, in many places we are constantly scouting out ahead for navigation markers delineating the small craft route thru Georgian Bay.


James piloting with Tamara as lending another pair of eyes.


Entering Port Severn we pass under the bridge. You can now see a definite current flowing out of the channel. Our first lock (labeled number 42 so I guess we are moving in the general opposite direction to most folks) will be just up ahead on the port side around this bend.


Trent-Severn waterway schedule.


Waiting on the 'blue line' to get lifted by our second lock of the day: the Big Chute marine railway or 'dry dock'. The blue line is just a section of the concrete seawall where you tie up to show the lock operators that you would like to transit that particular lock. You get behind the vessel that came in ahead of you and wait your turn. If the blue line is 'full' then you may have to tie up on an unpainted section of seawall or just idle off the fairway out of gear.


Here's a series of photos showing the Big Chute marine railing. The steel structure is moving up the hill with a load of boat suspended by straps around the mid section and stern section of the boat hulls. All boats are inclined a bit so that the boat 'fore-foot' is lighting resting on the dry dock wooden deck. That eliminates any swaying of the boats as they are moved (keep in mind that the boat owners and guests are allowed to ride in their boats for this whole operation).




Pecan was loaded at the back of the 'dry dock', so we had a very nice view going up the hill. Don't want to fall off the back of the boat on this ride!


Smaller boat are supported by straps that emerge from adjustable posts located in the center of the 'dry dock'. Two 8 foot wide boats can be supported side by side this way.







Boats loaded on Big Chute marine railway about to be 'deposited' in the lower reach of the Trent-Severn.