We sailed the long-way 'round this summer. We *could* have come down the trent, and every motor boater advised us that we could or should have. But, I wouldn't want to do that trek on a small engine and a mast on deck... locks, docking, anchoring etc. are a big enough pain on a small 26' boat as it is, let alone with a 32' mast overhanging by 6'.

A 3rd option is to sail upstream through Welland/Erie/St.Clair/Huron - we came down, but I don't think we'd make it upstream due to the massive currents and our little diesel.

My wife and I have agreed that if we go north again, it will be on a truck and launched in Georgian Bay. YMMV.

 

Will a sailboat with a fixed keel fit on the Railway Lift?
It is one of the questions I have often asked regarding the Trent and I don't think it has ever been positively answered.

And...
I have often heard of locks being referred to as a lift. Well if a lock is called a lift than what the heck do you call this??

 

Will a sailboat with a fixed keel fit on the Railway Lift?
It is one of the questions I have often asked regarding the Trent and I don't think it has ever been positively answered.
And...
I have often heard of locks being referred to as a lift. Well if a lock is called a lift than what the heck do you call this??

I found this on the Hunter Sailboat Owner's site, it seems to answer a few of my questions as well as yours about the railway.

I've seen those lift locks from the ground, but it was before I started sailing and I don't recall seeing a sailboat go through. I'm sure the well (or whatever it's called) will accommodate a 4' draft.

 

I have talked to sailboat owners who have done it with mixed results. Supposedly you can carry 5' draft but one boat with this draft hit a couple of rocks while well within the channel. Apparently the rocks can get moved by the ice (not sure how since it is not frozen that deep) and powerboats happily go over these spots that are 4'6" and then a sailboat comes along.

In terms of mast down, at the Ontario end the first lock is right at Trenton so it is mast down before entering the canal. At the other end it would be a case of where is there a mast crane. I suspect in Georgian Bay somewhere (Midland but there might be one closer).

Going through a canal with mast down is not a big problem. I did the Erie Canal a few times with a Nonsuch 30 with a 50' stick. Because of the taper I had about 5' sticking out at the front and 15' out the stern. You just learn to think about where the end of the mast is (wind instruments/tricolour are off of course).

Going through Lake Huron and Erie is entirely doable. Coming down is really quite easy since you have the current in the St Clair and Detroit Rivers with you. Going down the Welland locks is quite easy. The other direction is a tougher challenge. The locks can be nasty and probably want 4 people on board who have some strength. The rivers are slow. The only real problem is at the bridge at Sarnia. There is a lot of current and you need a boat that can do 5 knots in calm water. At that speed you will make it but it will be a very slow proposition.

 

I suspect in Georgian Bay somewhere (Midland but there might be one closer).

My home port is Midland, which is a short motor from Severn, so that part isn't a big deal.

The more I read and hear about this though, the more inclined I am to truck the boat.

I would like to do the Trent though. I'll probably rent a houseboat. Yeehaaa!

 

Sailboats were never intended to go through locks. They are the wrong shape and have little steerage in reverse. I have done the Tent/Severn from one end to the other and back again in a 19ft cuddy powerboat and I have also done a portion on a houseboat. Both experiences were wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed those trips. I have also taken my sailboat through the Erie canal from Oswego, NY to Waterford, NY and that was not nearly as enjoyable. So for me if I really wanted to enjoy the canal experience I would do it in some sort of power boat but I would still do it in my sailboat if I had to move it from Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. There would still be enjoyment doing the canal because it is an interesting trip regardless of the boat you use.

 

As Killarney, (who is in a location I am very jealous of ) said, the river currents are not a big deal. When you come up the Detroit or St Clair you manoeuvre to the side with the least current. It probably averages 2 knots. Takes longer but doable. The current under the Blue water bridge is stronger but you stick to the Canadian side where there is actually a back eddy right till you are under the bridge then you will see a current of 4-5 knots. A north blow adds to this. You can make it.

The hardest part of going the lake route is crossing Erie. It is a long trip against the prevailing wind. Few ports on either side and any of them would take you well of the rhum line. If you do decide to go that way contact me for more info.

Sail boats can definatley up over the marine rail road. Have watched just about every size and shape of boat go over it. Quite amazing.

 

In talking with my Canadian cousins, they indicated my 5.5ft draft would pose a problem on the Trent. Not that I couldn't make it but I would bounce in a couple of places due to the lack of maintenance of the waterway recently.

If you want to check out the other option call and talk with Andrews Trucking in Virgil Ontario. They are one of the biggest boat haulers in Ontario and have loads to and fro from that area. Lots of Canadian Chicago/Mac racers use them to back haul from the upper lakes to the Toronto area. But then racers most likely have to go to work on Monday.