Leaving Rideau Canal! Heading Back to Trenton - Sea Ray Boating

Departing the locks at Kingston Mills on Ontario, Canada's Rideau Canal and heading the 75 mile cruise back on Lake Ontario to Trent Port Marina at Trenton, Ontario.
Here are the Google Maps locations from this voyage;
Kingston Mills Lock: goo.gl/maps/wTcCL3M5BC7L7dk18
Trent Port Marina: goo.gl/maps/z3wZ5VFLoKCLnDrf6
This video is part of our glorious 5-1/2 week long cruise that takes us from Lake Simcoe, through dozens of locks and right down to 'Mile Zero' of the Trent Severn Waterway. From there, we headed east to Kingston and onto the Rideau Canal for first ever visit there by water! For a look at the entire adventure, please check out the full Playlist here: • Summer 2022 Cruise
Enjoy this video and would like to support the channel even more? Feel free to make a one time or ongoing contribution via PayPal here: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_....
Filmed July, 2022.
Boat Specs;
- Model: 1998 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer
- Length (bow to transom): 37-6", LOA (with factory swim platform): 40'-1"
- Beam: 12'-7"
- Dry Weight: 17,000 lbs
- Fully Loaded Weight: Boat + Fuel (1,664) + Water (580) + Gear (1,250 +/-) = 20,500 LBS
- Fuel Capacity: 275 U.S. gallons, 1,040 litres
- Draft: 32”
- Dead Rise: 20 degrees
- Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline,
raw water cooled, rated at 310 HP
- Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
- Generator: Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated, 3,600 RPM continuous engine speed
- 18,000 (total) BTU (12 + 8), reverse cycle heating/air conditioning

[@michaelsorensen4597]

We did the complete Rideau and Trent last summer after purchasing a boat in Ottawa and getting back to Parry Sound. We found the Rideau to be absolutely beautiful. But It was built for smaller boats than 40' in my opinion. Much less stress entering and leaving locks in the Trent. It was a fantastic experience and the History behind the construction also incredible. Very proud to be Canadian.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Two things would have made our Rideau experience more pleasurable; If we had begun our journey at Ottawa. And if we didn't talk to anyone about it beforehand. Guaranteed.

[@SergeAdam]

You will have to go back to Rideau and get to Ottawa and spent a few days, passing to Wesport is a must, Smith Falls and Merrickville, one of the most beautiful place to stop by for the night. I did that years ago from Montréal to Ottawa, spent 10 days on the canal, then spent more than 10 days in Kingston and Gananoque region before coming back by the St-Laurence sea way. The thousand Islands region is a beautiful place to spent time... 🙏🌞

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

👍

[@seanmcc45]

Totally agree with your perspective on the Rideau.. My past two trips from Kingston into Ottawa have been down the St Lawrence, into Montreal then up the Ottawa. 2 days travel from Kingston.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Might have to try something like that ourselves if we ever venture that way in the future. Thanks for your insights 👍👍

[@richardadams6853]

You need to retire Paul... no time constraints LOL. Loved the video. See you on the water this summer!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Retire? That's for old people 😂

[@BikeBoatandTravel]

Interesting perspective on the Rideau. Thanks for you candor on it. We have been all around that area on the bike and I have always thought the area beyond Kingston (East) looks very inviting for boating. Sheltered for the most part and there seems to be lots of marina opportunities along the way.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Indeed, but our issue came down to our poor travel practices 😉 Too little time left to head beyond where we got in the Rideau. Oh well, it was an experience and I'm not sad that we didn't get any further.

[@tigerphid9677]

I had never even heard of the Rideau until I saw your video.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

It was an interesting trip for us - our first time traveling the Rideau. I hope you have a chance to watch the rest of the series to see more.

[@AdventuresonTour]

You need to keep going east beyond Kingston. The run to Brockville is fantastic. Thr 1000 islands has so much to offer. Just don't do it mid July to mid August. That's stupid season those 4 weeks 🤣🤣🤣

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, if we were ever to return to that area, the Thousand Islands would be our destination. Lots to see and visit, with no waiting on any locks ;-)

[@spring4522]

I watch your videos and I enjoy them. I was a little disappointed that with this video you iterated several times that you weren't trying to put it (the Rideau) down, then you proceeded to put the Rideau down. All can say is that's your loss. When it comes to the Rideau, I'm one of those you've had your fill of.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Hi Chris, My intention wasn't to put down that waterway, nor do I think any of my statements reflected that sentiment, only give my impressions of our brief time there. As with anything in life, different folks will have different takeaways for their individual experiences. Mine was that it didn't live up to the hype. I think that there were too many folks overselling it...

[@LITTLEROCKSHORES]

You should have added a bow thruster to your 400 Sedan. That would fix your wind problems. Try Northern Georgian Bay and the North Channel if you want the best boating in Canada. Life outside the ditch is so much better!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

kzbin.info/aero/PLKhjT5kr2l2FDUSJ32njBNbTBkNmAS1S1

[@LITTLEROCKSHORES]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Like I said, Northern G’Bay and the North Channel.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Oh Tay👌

[@farleyschapira5351]

I for one, enjoy your commentary, I mean, how much natural waterway beauty can one take in a video? Its good to hear your voice providing, real life experience.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I'll be surprised to learn how many folks actually watch this one right to the end 😉 I edited out about five minutes of my endless talking in this one 😂 And yes, that ice cold Corona was much appreciated after a very full day 🍺

[@farleyschapira5351]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo well, if I have to be honest, you don't sound too bad at 2x speed, 🤣

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Good one!! 😂🤣

[@cpwatching5647]

Great adventure!! Thank you for going and sharing. I did not know if that canal system until you headed to it. We looked it up and learned about it and it's history. Got to see a glimpse of it with you. Take care!!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Thanks for coming along. I guess it was a bit of a learning experience for both of us ;-)

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Back since November! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zom0cmmDeNOmh68 Put up about 40++ videos since then!!

[@mikec4736]

Fair, honest recapitulation of your experience on the Rideau and I concur with your assessment.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Well, as I mentioned, it was an experience. An expensive one, but happy we got as far as we did. If we were ever to head back that way (beyond Trenton), I think that the Thousand Islands would be a preferred destination...

[@hockeynutt9434]

Watching your adventures in the middle of winter is grest. All our boats are put away and we are bored. This helps, plus your Vlogs are worth the watch. Thanks for posting.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Great! Producing these videos during the off season helps ME get through the winter and boating withdrawal 😉 Hope you're enjoying my daily Shorts videos as well. They are way quicker to edit and are another fun look back to summer.

[@hockeynutt9434]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Yes I have been! Hoping that posting less during the boating season and waiting will slow down your "Fan" crowd from noticing you every single day.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

That would be nice, but probably not going to be the case anymore. We had talked about that situation many, many times - even looking at completely and permanently shutting down the channel, but I'd probably end up having to spend the rest of my life explaining the big 'why' to the world. It was bad enough telling our local crowd what happened, as many were beside themselves when I stopped posting daily on Facebook and Instagram. And of course, there were all sorts of rumours floating around that I was sick, we were breaking up and more nonsense. If nothing else, I've discovered how easy it is for some (too many) people to be swayed by social media, rumours and innuendo. It's sad, really...

[@hockeynutt9434]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo I have followed you since the beginning and understand the hassles of being recognized constantly.. Hope you stay!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

That's the plan. . . For now 😉

[@clevjam]

Hey Paul, Personally I lean to videos of yours that have more talking than not. Very nice video but I agree with you and anchor girl. I prefer seeing you guys enjoying the water without the big city world stuff on shore. Well done my friend and CHEERS! 🍺

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Good, I'm glad you enjoyed this one. As I replied to another comment, I thought that the talking at ther end was running too long, so I actually edited out about five minutes of it...

[@cruisingjacksonrose7008]

You could spend weeks just touring the Bay of Quinte and PEC

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, but we still didn't even get a chance to visit all of the TSW last year. We're looking forward to seeing the areas we missed last year this coming season.

[@sylvaintherrien6469]

Hum sad for you guys Ottawa to Kingston is the best way my opinion but you must go that way from were you come from. Montréal to Kingston would be up current for us Retire do the triangle to Montréal to Ottawa and Kingston very Nice I have the same felling about lake champlain last year so many people told us it was so wounderfull and it is 90% ancor did not like it àt all!!!! Good décision if you had 3 weeks vacations capitaine and capitoune good décisions 😁😁😁 Remembrer Never never do de rideau with last week of july and first week of august (Québec construction holiday) Nuts Cheers my friend

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes - the French Navy as many referred to them 😂 No worries, glad we made it as far as we did. Was an interesting experience. Looking forward to new adventures this summer👍👍👍

[@Motorvader]

Sounds like the trip up the Rideau made you guys appreciate what you have close to home. In that sense it would seem it was well worth it (checked that box so to speak). Trenton Port Marina seems like a nice home away from home from all of the videos you guys have made there. I plan to take the same approach of increasingly longer cruises to gain confidence in the new to me 310 Sundancer I purchased in March. A lot of work has been done to the engines and Westerbeke generator and I want to make sure everything is 100% before I venture too far down the FL west coast and eventually the keys. I liked your cockpit table lamp so much I bought one for our boat. Can't wait to do our first overnight on the new boat and try it out. Stay warm up there!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, even though we've been exploring our lovely Trent Severn Waterway for the past 20 seasons, it still feels both new and definitely like home, despite its total run of 240 miles. Do we stay on the TSW this coming season without traveling farther afield? Time will tell. As for your new-to-you 310 Dancer, I think you will be very happy with it for your cruising. The only thing that may happen (speaking from experience) is that you might love it so much that you'll want to move up a couple/few feet ;-)

[@Motorvader]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Do what you guys enjoy - that's all that matters! The 310 is the perfect distance cruising boat for my daughter and I. When she's not around I'll be single handing it up and down the coast. I'll be 61 in March and may decide to upsize when I retire but for now this boat suits our needs perfectly. The voracious marine growth in the gulf is the main reason we didn't go bigger. Keeping it in a rack space marina less than 2 miles from home reduces our yearly maintenance and operating costs by a few thousand bucks. There are very few rack space marinas that will accept boats over 12K pounds and the 310 Sundancer was the largest our marina would accept. Fully loaded she weighs in at 15-16K and their Wiggins Marina Bull is rated for 20K. The only way I'd want a bigger boat is having on lift in the back yard ($1MM+ home today!) or in the water on a fresh water river or canal where there's little or no growth.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Although we don't have barnacles in these parts, some areas are overrun with Zebra Mussels - small clams that stick to everything in the water. They can cause issues with engines and even municipal water treatment plants, but we are lucky that they aren't too bad in our marina.

[@Motorvader]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Another benefit of rack marinas in FL is once we remove canvas we're covered for named storms. This is a big deal because there isn't enough marina capacity for storm haul outs and reserving what few spaces are available costs about $2000 a year. I've read that some people had to anchor their boats up rivers or hire a boat transport company to move their boat inland for hurricanes Irma and Ian. My friend's 37' Silverton in NJ floated off its blocking in the yard and drifted into someone's backyard during Sandy!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Ouch. And OUCH!!

[@eternitysshore]

Thanks for the honest Rideau eval. I'm glad you got to enjoy some new open water and experienced the delight of seeing the boat happy and healthy on plane. Where are those "other places we'd like to visit" versus heading back to the Rideau Canal? Other Great Lakes? How about the Great Loop? Of course then you would be one of those "loopers!"

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

As we have access to literally anywhere in the world that is accessible by way of an ocean, our potential cruising areas are virtually limitless. That said, I think that for us, keeping within the greater Great Lakes area will provide us ample new destinations to explore. The North Channel on Georgian Bay, heading up and then down to Chicago, the Detroit to Sandusky area, north shore of Lake Erie, the actual Erie Canal, the Thousand Islands, the Big Apple of NYC are just some of the places that immediately come to mind. And given how we travel, two months of cruising to/on those waters would be perfect for us. As for the Great Loop, that ship has sailed. Check this one out; kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3TOqqWPma2ana8

[@eternitysshore]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo Oh yeah! Brain freeze. I saw that video and your reference to Sam and Rev who I also watch. Sam, the former pilot is quite the disciplined and prepared one and they always seem to be leaving before sunlight. Obviously, not everyone does the loop like them. But I can totally understand not wanting the stress of all the timing of bridges, tides, and weather. I'm sure you could do it with less "structure" but it would probably not be nearly as enjoyable. And as you say, you guys have it really good where you are with all the great "nearby" destinations. I do hope a Boogaboo can eventually have her picture taken in front of the Statue of Liberty! Cheers to that!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Yes, getting down to NYC by water would be a truly epic adventure! The closest we've been to Lady Liberty was during a very impromptu road trip to New York to visit the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Intrepid back in 1989. That was a quick visit and I only recall brief glimpses of the statue on our trip.

[@nicksperry9936]

I'll have to try out both the Rideau Canal and Trent Severn Waterway. Both look beautiful to boat on.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Both are, but as we are more 'local' to the Trent Severn Waterway, it will be preferable for our grand tours.

[@sylvaintherrien6469]

I read all your coments on rideau and have the same felling with everyone telling us how wounderfull is lake champlain was à big désappointement for us !!!!! And when say we did not like it Ouf

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

I think that if we never heard 'how beautiful it is' that we might have had a different experience. Oh well, at least we now know what it's all about.

[@mvperseverance]

Do you have any “How I Did It’s” coming up? On another note… I’m fortunate to have the Mississippi to cruise on, but you are so blessed to cruise where you do. It’s so beautiful!

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Thanks for that. And I do have a handful of How I Did It videos I'm hoping to put out soon(ish). Been super busy recently, so time is at a premium - but I'll do my best to get them started ASAP! 😁

[@timkenyon6088]

By now, you know what I am gonna say....new horizons with some more open water....THE GREAT LOOP! TK on Nellie May. 😀

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

The great what? Huh?? I don't know what you're talking about 🤣

[@lindamaurice9923]

Paul nothing to do with Rideau but what is the easiest way to remove the name off a boat.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

If it's vinyl tape type, a heat gun works perfectly. A bit of fooling around, but effective. If it's painted on, might have to get the sander out 😬

[@lindamaurice9923]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo it's tape not paint. Thanks

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

Then you're in luck 👍

[@pokeygravityryder]

Lol you didn’t even get to the parts I consider nice. Anchoring in Morton bay would have been nice. Surprised you didn’t sleepover at confederation basin in downtown Kingston and walk around downtown.

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

To tell you the truth, by the time we did our turnaround I had my fill of too many people telling me how beautiful the area was and that we HAD TO visit them all. The problem was that it got waaaaaaaay over sold and ended up being more of a shoulder shrug than anything.

[@pokeygravityryder]

@@BoatingWithBoogaboo I hear you. I agree that the wait times can be crazy. We don’t do it often for that reason. Since Covid, staffing levels have been low, which also slows the locking. The Kingston and Ottawa ends of the canal aren’t the best. I find the water murky. My favourite part is midway near chaffey’s and newboro. I’ve done the Trent a couple times and it’s a different vibe. The lower end can also have murky waters which aren’t pleasing. Sucks it wasn’t fun for you

[@BoatingWithBoogaboo]

No worries. It was memorable in its own way and I'm not sorry we experienced it. But I'll know now not to take too much stock into what anyone tells me 🤣