Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 17

recommend calling in advance to ascertain availability of the service. Another
option could be the Port de plaisance
Réal-Bouvier in Longueuil. Getting it
back up can be done once you get to
Saint-Paul-Île-aux-Noix.
FOLLOWING THE RICHELIEU
TO LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Navigation up the Richelieu from Sorel to
Lake Champlain is very picturesque and
simple as you just have to follow the river's
markers. There are lots of places to stop
and overnight or fill up with gas at marinas
along the way. You should plan ahead as
far as timing is concerned to transit the
ten locks along the way. All are managed
by Parks Canada with their helpful staff.
The first lock will be at Saint-Ours, an
easy one as it is quite large and with less
than a foot going up (or down for that
matter). From there, once again, try to figure what your timing will be to transit the
Chambly Canal with its nine locks leading
from Chambly to the town of Saint-Jeansur-Richelieu. This can be a half-day affair
if timed right. Keep in mind that things
can be busy with quite a few boats in transit at the height of the summer season.
From Sorel, you can make it to the
Chambly Canal in one day, even on a
"slow" boat if you started early in the
morning. And, for faster boats, you'll have
to pull back on the throttles when passing
marinas along the way with, understandably, "No wake - Slow" signs on the river.
The shores on both sides of the river are
close by and offer a lot to see, with quaint
historical villages such as Saint-Denis,
Saint-Charles, Saint- Marc. This is a very
enjoyable trip upriver in protected waters.
If you freed your lines early leaving
Sorel, you should be able to make it to the
Chambly Canal locks before the end of
the afternoon at the latest. The last marina
before the locks is Mathias Marine, a fullservice facility with excellent docks and a
fine restaurant on the premises. From
there, some 6 nautical miles remain before
you get to the entrance of the Chambly
Canal locks.
It is also possible to overnight at Parks
Canada's waiting dock in Chambly which

Located on the south shore from Montreal, the Port de
plaisance Réal-Bouvier in Longueuil is close to Old
Longueuil restaurants and attractions in
a quiet and natural setting.

Cruising References
There is ample and reliable documentation to accompany you on a trip down the St.
Lawrence from Montreal to Lake Champlain.
For information on marinas and facilities along the way, the Nautisme Québec website at nautismequebec.com offers an online version of its annual Nautiguide (hard
copies are usually available in marinas and it is free) with a comprehensive and updated marinas directory. Their INautique app has the same info and is very user
friendly.
The St. Lawrence Cruising Guide (120 pages) published by L'Escale Nautique is a very
well put together cruising guide covering the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf from
Cornwall to the Magdalen Islands, including Chaleur Bay and the Mingan Archipelago.
It also includes the Richelieu, Ottawa and Saguenay rivers. You can order it on their
website at www.escalenautique.qc.ca/boutique/
For cruising on Lake Champlain, the Cruising Guide to the Hudson River, Lake Champlain & the St. Lawrence River is a must. You can find it in marine stores and online at
the Nautical Mind Bookstore.
It is possible to charter a sailboat on Lake Champlain. Well reputed and Montreal
based Navtours has a fleet out of Burlington. Look them up on the web. They also
have a base in the Bahamas.
A single summer isn't enough to explore all Lake Champlain has to offer. Some never
tire from it. There are over 30 marinas accommodating close to 3000 residing boats
in the summer. Many are Canadian flagged boats, especially in the northern part of
the lake. It is a little more than an hour by car from Montreal. You'll hear "Français" on
the docks and in the bays at anchor! July is busy and, at times, dozens of boats can
be anchored in the popular bays of Valcour Island. The lake's national parks - 16 state
parks - accessible from the water, offer as many opportunities to stretch your legs -
and those of the kids! - go to the beach or enjoy nature.
As an aside, a few pointers if you consider going further downriver, to Quebec City,
for example. From Sorel, you can stop in Trois-Rivières at Marina de Trois-Rivières at
Île Saint-Quentin, which is well protected and "full service". Just keep an eye on the
weather forecast before crossing Lake Saint-Pierre where a nasty chop can build
up in north-easterly winds. And unless your boat has a very shallow draft, you'll
have to follow the markers along the commercial channel. From Trois-Rivières,
you navigation plan to Quebec City should account for the tides the further you
approach your destination.
Henri René de Cotret
A long-time sailor, the author is a regular contributor to L'Escale Nautique magazine
and a boating safety consultant.

w w w. c a n a d i a n y a c h t i n g . c a

17


http://www.nautismequebec.com http://www.escalenautique.qc.ca/boutique/ http://www.canadianyachting.ca

Canadian Yachting June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting June 2020

At the Helm: Uncharted Waters
Special Feature: Canadian Cruising - There’s No Place Like Home!
Travel Destination: The Rideau – Living the Past Today
Travel Destination: From Montreal Fun to Lake Champlain Serenity
Power Review: Axopar 37 XC
Electric Power: Re-powering with Electric
The Port Hole: June 2020
Tech: Lithium Ion and Solar Power
DIY/Maintenance: Synthetic Teak Decking
Crossing The Line: Self-Isolation
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Intro
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Cover1
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Cover2
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - At the Helm: Uncharted Waters
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 4
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 5
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Special Feature: Canadian Cruising - There’s No Place Like Home!
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 7
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 8
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 9
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Travel Destination: The Rideau – Living the Past Today
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 11
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 12
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 13
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Travel Destination: From Montreal Fun to Lake Champlain Serenity
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 15
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 16
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 17
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 18
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 19
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Power Review: Axopar 37 XC
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 21
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 22
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 23
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Electric Power: Re-powering with Electric
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 25
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 26
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 27
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 28
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - The Port Hole: June 2020
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 30
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 31
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 32
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 33
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 34
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 35
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 36
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 37
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 38
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 39
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 40
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 41
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Tech: Lithium Ion and Solar Power
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 43
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 44
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 45
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 46
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 47
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - DIY/Maintenance: Synthetic Teak Decking
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 49
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 50
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 51
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 52
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 53
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 54
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 55
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 56
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 57
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 58
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 59
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 60
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - 61
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Crossing The Line: Self-Isolation
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Cover3
Canadian Yachting June 2020 - Cover4
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