“Small loop”

[Cartouche]

Thanks for the discussion of the Causeway and Fixed Bridge portions of the LaSalle Causeway. This was confusing to me so I goggled and read Canada updates. I now understand the problem: A. the fixed portion of the bridge is open continually for boats less than 16' air height but this depends on weather and snow melt, and, B. the causeway section of the bridge for larger boats transiting was demolished a year ago and a Bailey Bridge temporarily put in place. For 2026, Canada reports the Bailey Bridge will be removed with a barge once per week on Sundays. It will be replaced the end of the day. So, if someone doesn't get to the bridge on Sunday you have to wait a week. Yikes, planning has to be accurate or less. Glad I heard about this and will watch for updates.

As stated not confirmed fpr Sundays that was last year, also to think about if you have to get out mid week you can't

 

[Ronk135]

After reading Skipper Bob "Cruising the Rideau and Richelieu Canals" (2017 edition) it mentions some interesting items related to this trip including:
I. Skipper Bob book
a. CANPASS to expedite customs ($40)
b. User Fee Decal "if vessel is 30' or longer the owner must obtain a user fee decal when entering the US". Does that mean re-entering?

II. Skipper Bob book and/or Bacchus mention:
c. Mooring Pass vs Seasonal Mooring Pass "This pass covers docking or tying up for the night". Break even is staying over 11 days?
d. Locking Pass or One-Way Pass "All of the canals in Canada charge for the use of the locks".
Note: I understand these can be purchased prior to March 31 for a discounted amount but does anyone check for these at the locks?

III. Skipper Bob comment
"Don't forget flag courtesy. You should hoist the yellow quarantine flag when entering Canadian waters and display this flag until after you have cleared customs. Once you have received your customs clearance, enter the customs clearance number in your log. Then lower the quarantine flag and raise the Canadian Courtesy Flag until you leave Canada." I plan to get a courtesy flag but wonder if this commonly done?

 

[drewread]

After reading Skipper Bob "Cruising the Rideau and Richelieu Canals" (2017 edition) it mentions some interesting items related to this trip including:
I. Skipper Bob book
a. CANPASS to expedite customs ($40)
b. User Fee Decal "if vessel is 30' or longer the owner must obtain a user fee decal when entering the US". Does that mean re-entering?

II. Skipper Bob book and/or Bacchus mention:
c. Mooring Pass vs Seasonal Mooring Pass "This pass covers docking or tying up for the night". Break even is staying over 11 days?
d. Locking Pass or One-Way Pass "All of the canals in Canada charge for the use of the locks".
Note: I understand these can be purchased prior to March 31 for a discounted amount but does anyone check for these at the locks?

III. Skipper Bob comment
"Don't forget flag courtesy. You should hoist the yellow quarantine flag when entering Canadian waters and display this flag until after you have cleared customs. Once you have received your customs clearance, enter the customs clearance number in your log. Then lower the quarantine flag and raise the Canadian Courtesy Flag until you leave Canada." I plan to get a courtesy flag but wonder if this commonly done?

We did the Rideau from Ottawa to Kingston last summer (and then proceeded through the Trent-Severn into Georgian Bay.)

They absolutely check for the passes at the locks, as well as if you plan to moor overnight. You don't need a mooring pass for brief stops - staying for a half hour to an hour to provision or use their washrooms is generally not an issue, just chat with the lock master before you do. Nobody had an issue with it on our entire trip.

We did have a mooring pass for the convenience of being able to easily stop each day after maximizing lockages.

The Kingston bridge removal was initially scheduled for a Wednesday and Sunday opening last season during the proposal phase. That was cut down to one a week (Sunday) when it was officially released.

For the sake of all of the other cities along the route I hope they keep that once a week minimum ! They are losing tourism dollars by rushing people through already, it will be even worse if boaters have to plan for a 2 week run in the Rideau.

Frankly that once a week opening was a pain in the buttocks. We definitely rushed through the Rideau faster than we would have preferred because of it. We did not want to have to bounce around for an additional week, so it became a push to get to that bridge in time. We would have spent more time in the Rideau if it wasn't for that bridge.

 

[Frosty]

a. CANPASS to expedite customs ($40)

Just a note: I had no problem (or slowness) with customs entering Canada. Do note that you cannot be at anchor, but must be tied up in one of the designated "telephone reporting" spots (this is so if they do want to board you, there you are). Other note is that at least where I was, the "special phones" had been removed and so one used their cell phone --- but you still had to be at one of the phone spots. You can look these up online with a convenient map system.

If CANPASS lets you check in from anywhere you please (including at anchor) I could see it being useful. Maybe that's what they mean by "expedite."

III. Skipper Bob comment
"Don't forget flag courtesy. You should hoist the yellow quarantine flag when entering Canadian waters and display this flag until after you have cleared customs. Once you have received your customs clearance, enter the customs clearance number in your log. Then lower the quarantine flag and raise the Canadian Courtesy Flag until you leave Canada." I plan to get a courtesy flag but wonder if this commonly done?

I have used the Q flag in many places, but for some reason I had this idea that it's not customary when entering Canada from the US. I don't imagine it could hurt though. (If anyone knows differently, please do tell as I would fly the Q flag if it's customary.)

I saw many, many US cruising boats in Canada and all were flying the Canada courtesy flag. I would 100% say you should. It should be smaller on the fly than your own ensign, and should also be mounted higher than your ensign (where exactly on your boat depends on boat type). Customarily your own country's ensign should be at least 1" on the fly for every foot of boat length, as a starting point.

I imagine some of the small fishing type boats I saw that weren't flying any flags might have been from outside Canada, but as a cruising boat I would always fly a courtesy flag.

 

[twistedtree]

Check whether CANPASS is still a thing. It might be obsolete. NEXUS definitely speeds things up, and at least in the PNW it opens up additional check-in locations.

And Yes, you will need the DTOPS User Fee sticker. It's about $30. It's needed for any crossing into the US. I think its primary purpose is to show that it's a US Boat, so not being imported into the US and subject to duty.

 

[PNK]

I would add that, if the timing works for you, making a stop in Kingston is a great place to visit for a day, or even two. You leave the Hudson and head into Rombout Creek. There is a small marina, but also the town dock allows transient tie-ups, but call ahead about space. (There is another, bigger, marina, a bit further up Rombout Creek if there is no space at the town dock, but it is on the "wrong" side of the creek, so walking back to the interesting parts of town is not practical.)There are a number of really good restaurants within easy walking distance of the town dock, even a nice hotel and restaurant called Hutton Brickyards that is also an easy walk, if you want a night away from the boat. There are frequent outdoor craft fairs and music at the Brickyards in the summer. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is also worth a visit.
Should be a great trip!

 

[Ronk135]

Thanks for the heads up. I will add this to the itinerary. BTW, I just received “Ports Cruising Guide to the Rideau Canal” (2021 edition). An outstanding reference !! Will buy the “Port Guide for the Champlain Canal” next.
Question: Does anyone know if the numerous nautical charts referenced in these guides are truly necessary. It seems the canals don’t need them but what about the lakes ? I will check if my GPS extends into Canada.

 

[drewread]

Thanks for the heads up. I will add this to the itinerary. BTW, I just received “Ports Cruising Guide to the Rideau Canal” (2021 edition). An outstanding reference !! Will buy the “Port Guide for the Champlain Canal” next.
Question: Does anyone know if the numerous nautical charts referenced in these guides are truly necessary. It seems the canals don’t need them but what about the lakes ? I will check if my GPS extends into Canada.

Not sure what you are using for navigation, but Navionics worked well for our Rideau and Trent-Severn Waterway trips. We had a few issues with autorouting not working properly through some of the locks and swing bridges, but figured out a decent workaround.

There were a few issues with some of the markers and chart joint alignments, but we submitted error logs for those and I believe that they have all been fixed. We caught them pretty easily while checking through the generated routes - which we did every time we generated them.

For what it is worth we also had a great time in Kingston, ON. We were at Confederation Basin Marina which is city run and quite nice. It is right downtown and there was lots of entertainment right out of the marina gates.

 

[Frosty]

As mentioned by @drewread, I found Navionics to have good charting of the Rideau Canal (I have the MFD version). In contrast, Aquamaps was pretty slim on info. Some lakes were okay, while other areas were just blank blue waterways.

If you plan to stay in the channel, then those were very well marked and you almost wouldn't need a chart (though of course I'm not recommending that).

 

[drewread]

If you plan to stay in the channel, then those were very well marked and you almost wouldn't need a chart (though of course I'm not recommending that).

Yes, definitely don't go through the canals without some type of chart, electronic or otherwise. There are many parts through the Rideau that you can't make a mistake in.. But there are also more than enough places that look like a lake that you can motor right across.. But are actually flooded farmers fields with a very narrow channel cut through them. There are actually lots of places to make mistakes that will end your trip.

 

[Bacchus]

After reading Skipper Bob "Cruising the Rideau and Richelieu Canals" (2017 edition) it mentions some interesting items related to this trip including:
I. Skipper Bob book
a. CANPASS to expedite customs ($40)
b. User Fee Decal "if vessel is 30' or longer the owner must obtain a user fee decal when entering the US". Does that mean re-entering?

II. Skipper Bob book and/or Bacchus mention:
c. Mooring Pass vs Seasonal Mooring Pass "This pass covers docking or tying up for the night". Break even is staying over 11 days?
d. Locking Pass or One-Way Pass "All of the canals in Canada charge for the use of the locks".
Note: I understand these can be purchased prior to March 31 for a discounted amount but does anyone check for these at the locks?

III. Skipper Bob comment
"Don't forget flag courtesy. You should hoist the yellow quarantine flag when entering Canadian waters and display this flag until after you have cleared customs. Once you have received your customs clearance, enter the customs clearance number in your log. Then lower the quarantine flag and raise the Canadian Courtesy Flag until you leave Canada." I plan to get a courtesy flag but wonder if this commonly done?

One missing detail... if you don't buy the discounted mooring pass be sure to save your receipts for daily mooring. I have never done it but understand that once you accumulate enough day moorings to equal the cost of the season mooring they will not charge you for addnl days mooring. The only downside is you can't take advantage of the discount available by purchasing season mooring before Mar 31 and you need to save a show the saved receipts each addnl time you want to stay over.
You may find an occasional lock that doesnt check your pass or mark the day used on a 6 day pass... but it's the exception and rarely occurs.

I have rarely observed use of the Q flag prior to checking in. I have seen officials walking the docks in Kingston and having passengers record their vessels until the Capt has completed check in. You should record the check in # and post it in a dock side window where it is obvious.

It's not obvious but the season lock pass is good for all Canadian canals... Rideau, TSW and Chambly which makes is worthwhile if you are cruising multi canal systems.

 

[Frosty]

Yes, definitely don't go through the canals without some type of chart, electronic or otherwise. There are many parts through the Rideau that you can't make a mistake in.. But there are also more than enough places that look like a lake that you can motor right across.. But are actually flooded farmers fields with a very narrow channel cut through them. There are actually lots of places to make mistakes that will end your trip.

I hope I didn't give the impression that no charts should be used. But IME those "very narrow channels" through the Rideau waterways were extremely well marked. Easy to connect the dots (buoys) because they were very close together.

I would not have enjoyed it without good charts, and would not recommend it; but I was impressed with how well marked it was.

 

[drewread]

I hope I didn't give the impression that no charts should be used. But IME those "very narrow channels" through the Rideau waterways were extremely well marked. Easy to connect the dots (buoys) because they were very close together.

I would not have enjoyed it without good charts, and would not recommend it; but I was impressed with how well marked it was.

Agreed - It is well marked, but because it is so well marked (and there are so many markers) it only takes a moment to lose track of where you are and where you should be going that you could easily see a marker you should be rounding 2 or 3 markers away and think it is the right one.

Especially after the markers flip sides at the top of the river and you are tired.

 

[Ronk135]

I contacted Garmin for my Echo Map UHD 94SV. I kept thinking paper charts. My friend who passed away gave me three large chart books for the Erie Canal. Garmin confirmed "chart(s)" are needed and electronic. Charts like "Canada Coastal Charts" that can be downloaded to my computer or Garmin unit. I think that is right. The area covered by this specific chart covers the entire trip from Cape Cod ($219.99). Well worth the price.

 

[Frosty]

You can also download the Canadian Sailing Directions. They are free and have some good information. The Rideau Canal is covered in "CEN 308" which you can find here, in the "Central Canada" tab :

Canadian Sailing Directions

Canadian Sailing Directions

charts.gc.ca

(Not saying they replace charts.)

 

[Bacchus]

Agreed - It is well marked, but because it is so well marked (and there are so many markers) it only takes a moment to lose track of where you are and where you should be going that you could easily see a marker you should be rounding 2 or 3 markers away and think it is the right one.

Especially after the markers flip sides at the top of the river and you are tired.

Yes... I recall and retell our first experience on the Rideau many many yrs ago and first day out of Kingston. Approaching Motons Bay below Jones Falls and wanted to enter a very narrow cut between rocks with markers basically in line... so stopped and pondered how to pass. Main channel was upstream and red on R - Stbd but charts showed side channel red on Port which seemed odd...I expected red on Stbd enter a side channel/ marina etc.

I waited and another approaching vessel ( local) zipped right in with red on Stbd so I followed and observed rocks the size of VW beetles.

It turns out the Canadian convention is red to port if downstream and there was a small (non-navigable) stream at the far end of Mortons Bay so entering with red on port / downstream made sense... glad I hesitated and stopped to confirm as the alternative could have been a disaster on my first day on the Rideau.
The moral of the story is... if unsure... stop to figure it out... not slop down but STOP,!

We've been back about 10X and the Rideau is one of our favorite / frequent cruises.

 

[Cartouche]

One missing detail... if you don't buy the discounted mooring pass be sure to save your receipts for daily mooring. I have never done it but understand that once you accumulate enough day moorings to equal the cost of the season mooring they will not charge you for addnl days mooring. The only downside is you can't take advantage of the discount available by purchasing season mooring before Mar 31 and you need to save a show the saved receipts each addnl time you want to stay over.
You may find an occasional lock that doesnt check your pass or mark the day used on a 6 day pass... but it's the exception and rarely occurs.

I have rarely observed use of the Q flag prior to checking in. I have seen officials walking the docks in Kingston and having passengers record their vessels until the Capt has completed check in. You should record the check in # and post it in a dock side window where it is obvious.

It's not obvious but the season lock pass is good for all Canadian canals... Rideau, TSW and Chambly which makes is worthwhile if you are cruising multi canal systems.

Hi Don no Early discount passes this year as they are doing the same as they did last year mooring passes will be available but not discounted this year. My notification told me they would be available early spring, and you are correct 10 nights = a Season pass

 

[Bacchus]

Ed
Thanks for the update. It has been a few yrs since my last Canadian canal cruise but still our favorite.

 

[Cartouche]

Hopefully we will see you back on this side of the lake, always thought your boat is pretty suite, and I keep looking for one, since selling Cartouche cheers