How To Lock a Boat (while transiting 9 locks on the Trent-Severn)

[@pladam7198]

The lock tenders on the T-S Waterway are typically university students. It’s a great summer job for them and many return each season while they are working on completing their education.

[@stevengilbert6672]

Your kind comments about the beauty of Canada and the friendliness of the people you have met along the way make be proud to be a Canadian. You may not know it, but in this video you passed over one of the best fisheries in the world!

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Steven! We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Canada - not only is the country beautiful but everyone is so friendly! We'll be back!

[@mikepech6822]

Being a real proud Canadian boater, am so glad that my fellow Canadians showed you guys a great trip. I love your videos and the appreciation you show for us and our country. I lived on Georgian bay for 40 years. We used the Trent so often, we just bought season permits. Age caught up, so unless I win a lottery and buy the 55' I want and afford a crew, I'll just have to enjoy your guys videos. lol. I can still do the driving, but everything else is a no no. But your young lady can be a cook on my boat anytime. The downfall to that is I'd need a crane to lift me off the boat lol. Damn she makes some yummy looking stuff.

[@jimgreenwood1411]

Great content here for other loopers. As someone who keeps his boat in the Trent Severn Waterway and travels the system all summer long you have nailed it.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Jim!

[@jodypresley6677]

The way you talk about my country warms my heart. Great video as always. Still snow here in Ottawa. I want to boat right now. Love you guys.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Jody! ❤️

[@LydieBaillie]

Thank you for the very helpful information on going through locks.

[@SchoandJo]

Thank you for watching ❤️

[@griddlemethis8804]

You guys rocked those locks! Happy Trails and cold Docktails!🎉

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much!

[@freeman4755]

4:20 Love seeing the footage of you two boating through my university! I'm glad you guys enjoyed the area!

[@SchoandJo]

Super cool!

[@andrewwylie2117]

Kawartha ice cream is the best … hope you find some later 😃 Thanks for taking us on your journey How fast do you go when not in restricted wake zones? Peterborough to buckhorn looks like a long way. Ranch water spicy? We were traveling as a group when the pontoon in front of us ran into problems. One of the lines was “tied” to the guide and it had gripped. As the water rose the stern was being held in place and water began to flow over the deck. One swipe of a sharp knife and the line was severed! The pontoon roared back up like a cork! Close call.

[@SchoandJo]

Good thing they were prepared with that knife! Our normal cruising speed is 6.5 knots, not much faster than the restricted wake speed 😁 We found some in Fenelon Falls, delicious!

[@johnclapperton5556]

You never know when someone else may have a tecknique that is slightly better than your own so this is a good video.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks John

[@danielnicholls6868]

you just missed Phil Boyer and his homemade solar boat that went up to georgian bay and back to trenton a week later. only on solar power his channel Phil Boyer. enjoying your vids

[@SchoandJo]

I saw one of his videos a while back, he did an incredible job on his catamaran!

[@suzanneaydelotte801]

Great information for your fellow boaters…very interesting! Your cruise was so beautiful…but that’s Canada…so beautiful! Great job! Safe travels!

[@nickgooderham2389]

Great video. You guys should do the Rideau if you get the chance. A very historic waterway with lots to see along the way. Also Rideau is typically pronounced as ree-doe.

[@SchoandJo]

We'd love to do the Rideau one day!

[@chrisbaise4333]

Pretty much my new obsession

[@doncritzer2798]

Good job on this video Scho.....

[@richardneely595]

I'm so proud of you both .you had learned so much in a short time. I love all you share and always look forward to your next share .Be safe and enjoy :)

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Richard!

[@robgionet9582]

Buckhorn is my favorite spot to boat to. A peaceful little town. The Cody Inn has great Chinese food.

[@SchoandJo]

Ahh we wanted to go to the Cody Inn but it just didn't work out - next time!

[@kathek.4960]

We are really enjoying your videos. What sets them apart from others, in our minds, is there is instructive information. We are in the dreaming and planning phase and will go to Norfolk in May for the Rendezvous to find out more. Will you be there?

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it to the May Rendezvous, but we hope you have a fantastic time there! It's such a great event.

[@BobEstler]

Great show. Very informative.

[@Niki10-32]

Wow that section with all the islands... How cool!

[@SchoandJo]

Such a beautiful area!

[@karenprice5439]

Another awesome video. . It is a beautiful day... Excellent locking...🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Karen 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@MikeSinclair-ue9so]

Lock staff are referred to as lock masters here in Ontario. Can’t wait to see your Georgian Bay Videos

[@SchoandJo]

👍

[@Alcochaser]

Another great trip. Can't wait for the boat train, Huron, Michigan, and Chicago.

[@SchoandJo]

Lots of great moments coming up for sure!

[@Daniel-cl6no]

So happy to see you guys back! You are so inspiring, since your last video, I have to tell you that that I decided to cancel buying the Sea Ray cruiser yacht from the Georgian bay and just bought an Albin 36 trawler here in Montreal. I always had love for trawlers but always stuck with cruisers. Well, finally, I made the move. Slower than slow! But much farther! Thank you, my plan is the gulf on St-Lawrence this summer. You did influence my decision on my next boat... crazy when you think about it.

[@SchoandJo]

That is crazy when you lay it out like that Daniel... We appreciate you watching and hope you have a fantastic time on your Albin 36! Trawler speed!

[@Daniel-cl6no]

Thanks @@SchoandJo in the end, it is always about pivoting ;)

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Interesting and well-done video.

[@SchoandJo]

Thank you 💪

[@lutacrew]

One of your better videos. Your business not mine, but aren’t you falling behind. Thumbs up.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks

[@vernholmes7940]

You guys are the best. You share it all and you've done it too! Great locking procedure recap. Always fun. Keep on with your great adventure.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Vern!

[@ArtFunnell]

Great job explaining & doing locking. Getting a spot at Buckhorn is a major feat of timing.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Art - it really was perfect timing haha

[@nics6174]

Awesome content. Thank you.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Nic!

[@BrianCarolH-tx4kl]

Love your videos. Saw you in Campbellford over the summer & have tagged along with you ever since. Good luck with your next adventure.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much y'all!

[@Catalina58601]

Now you can go narrow boating in the UK! Thank You for this! Im sure it's not easy going back in time to edit and put out content, but I appreciate it! TY!

[@SchoandJo]

We'd love to go narrow boating in the UK 😁 We just learned about that system recently, seems really neat!

[@gerryameil2228]

Very good job !

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Gerry!

[@BearCreekWoodworking]

You both have come a long way since your first lock! 👍 Fun Video! 😃

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks!

[@haroldhuddleston6585]

One of your best!

[@SchoandJo]

Thank you Harold!

[@michaelgarrity6090]

That was a big day for you guys having to knock down all those locks in one day. You all did a great job. It was definitely a smart thing to have two boat poles, one fore and one aft. I did that on our monster 70 footer we ran on the Ohio River. On the smaller boat I would single hand it, the boat pole was indispensable. I could not believe that one day as I was docking and using it, some people in another boat watched me use it and they asked me what it was. They were rather new to boating and didn't know about the existence of a boat pole. I explained all about them. They said they were definitely going to add one to their growing list of items that they needed to get for their boat. I am looking forward to future videos as you run the Great Lakes and down into the rivers.

[@SchoandJo]

Wow, a 70 footer would be a much different challenge - impressive! Thanks for watching Michael!

[@bobr9689]

Welcome back - I have missed your videos. You mentioned the use of fender boards - back in the 1960s, I believe it was either the decision of the lock masters on the Great Dismal Swamp Canal or the Army Corp of Engineers; that would not let my father use fender boards in the locks. I have a photo of boats having to raft along other boats. I remember the lock attendants would use long boathooks (when being raised up 8 feet), to retrieve the lines (which they just looped around the piling, and dropped back down to us, and we had to watch & keep the lines tight, but not tied.) Can't wait for your next vlog of yours. Hi Ollie!!!

[@SchoandJo]

Ollie says hi back! That is interesting that he wasn't allowed to use the fender boards! Thanks for sharing Bob!

[@outofbounds218]

Great job with explanations of locking. You guys ROCK!!

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much!!

[@katemcpolin1121]

Great video! Thank you so much for all the great tips.

[@SchoandJo]

Thank you for watching Kate!

[@scottirwin1693]

I live in lakefield and i also lived in buckhorn. So i have done a lock or 2 in the last 20 years or so. But in my experience i have lock lines and dock lines. My lock lines may be 12ft lines and my dock lines were at least double. I found it saves not only time but a hazard on the deck.

[@SchoandJo]

True! Our spring lines are probably similar to your dock lines. We didn't have the space nor budget to have a separate set of lines for locking only, but I can see the value in that, as long as they are put out of the way when they are not needed :) Cheers!

[@andykober2283]

You two did a great of making an instructional video that was both fun and entertaining to watch.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much Andy!

[@billmead5052]

Great stuff! Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us 😊

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Bill!

[@getoutsideyouneedit4050]

Great info

[@SkipHarpers]

Well done guy's!

[@lesterwicklein717]

good stuff thanks

[@roneckert6972]

Just so you know, when the red light at a lock is flashing that means the lock is operating either up or down. A solid red light means the lock is stationary for now. Keep the videos coming we're enjoying your trip. We are boaters too... living on Pigeon Lake on the Trent/Severn system.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks Ron!

[@dahveed284]

It will be interesting to see the difference from more commercially operating locks on the midwest rivers when you get there.

[@SchoandJo]

Absolutely!

[@dandersonjr]

Thanks.

[@carolwestermann5309]

Great video with tons of information. Loved it all.

[@SchoandJo]

❤️

[@walterjanzen4715]

Buckhorn and Bobcaygeon are my home locks ! Why didn’t you stop in and say hi ! Lol.

[@SchoandJo]

Hehe only if we knew!

[@petew3011]

Can’t wait to do it this summer, Lovin’ Life

[@SchoandJo]

Awesome, I bet you’ll have a blast Pete!

[@pedeeyund9804]

This is a great learning video, of going through the locks, one thing also to mention , is always go into the lock after a houseboat , because 90% of them are renters and NEVER been on a boat before, and on a forty footer, and don’t know the meaning of…slower than slow !!

[@SchoandJo]

😂

[@Artist_Kevin]

21:50 that thruster is loud. You know when its working.

[@SchoandJo]

True that! It’s a bit over powered for the size of our boat but we aren’t complaining 😁

[@mb-br6lc]

Love your videos keep them coming ❤

[@chrisrink439]

As always, good stuff. Curious: have you ever seen a solo boater on a 30-35 footer single hand through the locks, or is that not permitted/advised? A little tricky, I'd imagine, but not impossible with bow-stern thrusters on a remote, properly placed cleats and lines, more. Thanks.

[@SchoandJo]

We haven't seen that, the only single lock handing I've seen is on a 30'ish foot sailboat. We have heard about it and it is possible! You'd just have to check with each canal system to see their protocols for how many people need to be onboard. You may need to take crew for some.

[@paulhaas4299]

I had a boat in Clayton NY., in the 1000's Islands. I was surprising how many loop boats never left the islands.

[@SchoandJo]

To each their own - we've loved taking our boat in different waterways but to be honest the 1000's islands were amazing, I could see spending many seasons there 😁 Thanks for watching Paul!

[@randyputnam1056]

Great video using engine and bow thruster when locking. Have you tried using your “prop-walk” in reverse? Our single screw inboard Trojan will “walk” to port in reverse. Last year I lost our rudder (!!!!!!!!) and safely brought the boat back to dock “bumping” in forward - neutral- reverse. A LOT of folks were at the dock to help, but I was able to make it back fine. Looking forward to your winter storage video(s). Take care, happy travels!

[@SchoandJo]

Nice! That's impressive, still being able to dock without a rudder 😱 Yes we do use the prop walk, for us, it pulls our stern to starboard, which is why we prefer docking to starboard! Nose the boat somewhat in and use the prop walk to slow down and pull the stern in!

[@randyputnam1056]

Exactly! Same reason we like docking to port.

[@johnmarschalk1977]

Have a feeling since you were set up for port side at 1st lock all the locks assumed you liked left side.

[@SchoandJo]

hehe starboard for Pivot's crew! But just goes to show you have to be comfortable with either 🤷

[@mb-br6lc]

Fun fact the bay that you see the big house boat park on the rock in burleigh Falls is the bay they film cheaper by the dozen 2 with Steve Martin and Eugene levy

[@SchoandJo]

haha that's cool - thanks for sharing!

[@Grevlain]

New subscriber. Love the vids!! I have a newb question. If someone was solo-looping, could they choose to just tie off with a single mid-ship line in the lock? Or are there rules to use bow and stern lines?

[@SchoandJo]

There are rules for sure, a lot of the locks mid-ship only is great, and for smaller vessels that's the only option! If a lock tender wants you to tie the bow and stern, it's for your and your boat's benefit though, cheers!

[@lr9773]

High, my wife and I, plan to go to the Georgian bay this summer from august 5 to september 25. We start from Québec City. We ckecked and enjoyed several parts of your videos in the canal and the first part of Georgian bay. Very nice and instructive. We cant' wait to go. Constructive comment. As a retired art director, I know that waht you did represent a lot of work. It's easy to check because he have a lot of time behind the scene. However, I'm concient that it can add time to produce but what could have been interesting would be the fact of showing up from time to time a map of the place where you are located. Thank's a lot for your very good work. Hope that you enjoyed your trip in Trent Severn. Sincerly Robert and Françoise.

[@captainblacktoe1328]

One thing I’ve noticed is you use your lines on/off interchangeably, since it works for you it’s not a,problem. But you might want to work on a consistent terminology (line on for when you are attached and off for when your untied) to prevent future misunderstandings. Great job on the video.

[@SchoandJo]

🐮

[@juanitaarnold2716]

Another great video. I wanted to ask about your knife. What kind is it and/or where can you get it? Looks very handy.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much, Juanita! It is a rope knife, one side is for cutting with a sharp and jagged edge and then the other side has a point for undoing knots. You can find it at West Marine or Amazon. Here is our Amazon link: amzn.to/3TExCUN

[@tomreid5184]

@@SchoandJo Also called a "rigger's knife".

[@patrickhampton6248]

You have one engine?

[@SchoandJo]

Yes, and a bow thruster

[@SchoandJo]

Visit schoandjo.com/how-to-lock/ to learn more! Thank you for watching! This video was filmed on July 27th. Read our blog post on locking where we go into detail with all locks on the Great Loop: schoandjo.com/how-to-lock/ Get 50% off our All Great Loop Locks Spreadsheet for 24 hours: schoandjo.com/product/all-great-loop-locks/ Find out how much the Great Loop Costs: schoandjo.com/great-loop-expenses/ Want to keep up with us in real-time? Sign up for our weekly email to be filled in our current cruising plans and adventures. schoandjo.com/sunday-summary

[@buckpowers4837]

When we gonna see some movement. ayou still locked up in Canada. Guess not because Winter is coming.

[@SchoandJo]

Haha “see some movement” - this video was literally moving all day, from first lock through to the final lock through in the evening 😅

[@chardoneh]

We left Canada do the same thing! We lived close to Peterborough! We settled in Mexico on our Trawler! No more locks!! 😂😂😂

[@tcoker6616]

Where’s the Beef!?

[@SchoandJo]

🐮

[@ThePierce5144]

Pronounced “Ang’ li(short I) can”

[@SchoandJo]

👍

[@donb270]

I’ve watched several of your locking videos and sorry to say, I cringe when I see the one end of your line on a cleat. Neither end of the line should be secured because if the line gets caught in a jam….a crack…whatever..wedged, it will get impossible tight very fast

[@SchoandJo]

Hi Don! I think we went over this in the video, one end is fine to secure as long as the other is S’d around the cleat. You’re right, it’s never a good idea to be fully cleated while locking because anything can get caught up.

[@donb270]

You say one end if fine to be secured? What happens if the line gets caught on the lock wall ….caught in a crack and jams….as your boat is going down. Your boat could be hanging by the line or you will rip the cleat off your deck. Ask a lock master. I’ve had this discussion with several lock masters and they have said they’re tired of telling people. Another cruising couple almost had a deck cleat ripped of by this very scenario. Yes, very unlikely but do you want to take the chance? Up to you.😊 I do enjoy your videos and feel like I know (and like) both of you. Cheers

[@SchoandJo]

Respectfully, that is why you carry the knife! We've been through many locks and when there is inclement weather, and lines aren't secured (one tied and one left as a S) often worse damage happens by boats coming loose or pulling away from the wall. In some locks on the mid-west rivers, it would be impossible to not secure one end especially when you have 3 or 4 20-ton boats rafted off of you. We are all the captains of our own boats so if it works for you then that's great, it's just simply not what we would recommend to others. 🤙

[@bbmatthews2002]

The knife. I like it. We’ve only been through locks in Okeechobee, not the 100 or so y’all have done. My first mate hated it, but we learned a lot. Work gloves! But the knife. Good call - and what a knife! This vid really shows the normal, continuous process, and has a very home-on-the-boat feel to it versus a “new adventure” feel. Y’all look so comfortable with the boat and managing the locks. Very well done!

[@giantmillet22]

As a Lock Operator, and boater, this is the same way I do it when using attached cables or pipes in the wall. Combined with being attentive to your lines you should be able to let the loose end slip out before you have a major problem. Two other thoughts here, when using the attached lines on the NYS Canal system, I always recommend taking a turn on the cleat (not tying off) and letting the boat do the work while I just keep tension on the line throughout the lockage. This way if the wind picks up, or something goes south the boat takes the strain, not my arms. Lastly, in the NYS Canal system, unless directed by the lock operator, I recommend going as far forward as possible. 90% of the time it’s the smoothest ride going up because of the way the water flow works. Also, it’s good form in case there are a lot of boats with you. You won’t be asked to move forward to make room if your already at the last few lines or cables.