Champlain to Ottawa

Day one we had an uneventful trip up to North Hero. We usually stay around the point from the Mariana from North Hero Mariana in Perlots Bay. Since the wind was coming from the South we decided to stay on the marina side, making sure we were well clear of the mooring field. A little later we were kicked out because the marina said we were inside 2 moorings, I didn’t see any moorings anywhere, but, oh well. We started around the corner and I gave Brent instructions to watch depth carefully. He did, but forgot to watch the plotter. A few moments later we heard and felt that horrible crunch as we went aground. Brent clamed that he had 13 ft. Indeed he did, I read gauge myself. The plotter said 2 ft. Not sure what happened but we were in real heavy weeds and somehow they were affecting the reading. (The next day we passed many canals showing 3 ft on the sounder without a bump.) After carefully sticking depths around Windsong and lots of black soot from the diesels on the hull we got off. What really aggravates me is in the Power squadrons Safety courses I teach I always emphasize that most accidents happen because of poor handoffs between Captain and crew. And what do I do. I now have a personal example to add to the course not just statistics.


The sun came out and we had an enjoyable dinner with Champagne given to us by the Montgomery’s.

Day two, We woke up to heavy ran on deck. Fed and took dogs for a walk and were under way before 7:30. Passed Fort Montgomery right before approaching Canada. This fort is better know as Fort Blunder because it was accidently built it in Canada and it had to be moved South to US territory.

After Fort Blunder we put up our Q flag and headed for Customs. I was really worried about this because Canadian customs taxes any alcohol overage at a very high rate. We were way over our limit. There is a rumor that open bottles are ship stores and are not taxed, I do not believe this is true. But I went in planning to declare the two 1.75 liters that were unopened and keep quite about 6 open bottles of same size. I would tell the truth if asked. I went into the office, talked about the dogs and the trip, then left without ever being asked about alcohol.

Twenty miles away is the third narrowest lock of our trip, 21’ 6 “for our 20’3” inch beam. Most of the crew was tense. The plan was to have Joan at controls, Amy on port bow, Brent on starboard bow and me on stern as we went in. Joan had a small panic attack as the moment approached.

Even lock master who earlier said no problem did not look all that calm

The captain was cool at least on the outside

We fit on port.

And Starboard too

And tomorrow Lock 8,7, and narrowest of all lock # 4 which we do not have a picture of.

Lock 8

Day 3

After a very quite night on the wall at lock 8 next to fields and fields of corn, we rose early to more morning rain. There were two of us on the wall, both Cats. The other Cat was a PDQ 32, about 3 ft narrower than us so he was not having much trouble in locks and canals.

Joan took on the challenge to open the lock doors for us. Much to my surprise she took one door all the way from open to close.

The rest of the way was uneventful and we arrived at lock one which is in Chambly with out incident. We stayed in the Chambly Marina for showers (temperature only HOT) and laundry (only cold). We all went for a stroll around the Fort, out to lunch at a wonderful brewery, Bedondaine & Bedons Ronds, definitely the best food and beer. Jay had too fix our head the next morning and Brent ran to the hardware store to get the bolts. He got back just before it started to rain for real. Good job Brent!

 This is a picture of the Fort from the back of the boat while we were in the marina.

Day 4 Left Chambly heading down the Richelieu in the rain the next morning. Amy and Joan stayed inside for most of the trip while Brent and Jay did the driving in rain gear.

 There are a lot of churches near the water, very pretty. About 3 o’clock the sun came out just before we reached the lock at Saint Ours. Real easy locking through. We stayed on the wall for the night. The island is quite beautiful with nice trails, the trees marked with signs with their names and descriptions. John and Ellie Wheeler on Adios II were staying on the wall to so we had a good time meeting them and chatting over drinks. They are experienced gold loopers and we learned a lot.

 
  Montreal: We stayed in a marina on the edge of Old Port, right by the clock tower.

I loved the architecture. We walked along the port and up the pedestrian street of artists. It was very pleasant with restaurants along the sides and street players and artist kiosks up the middle.