Review Of Canada's Rideau Canal Le Boat Adventure

Le Boating on Canada’s Rideau Canal Again

By Judi Cohen

In 2021 my husband and I, our daughter Alison and her playful Samoyed puppy Joni, enjoyed captaining a luxury houseboat with Le Boat Vacations on the Canada’s Rideau Canal so much, that for Father’s Day in 2022, we decided houseboating would be ideal for another family getaway. And with Joni again too. (Remember, Le Boating is dog friendly!)

Packing our gear and food was a snap using Le Boat’s packing list, as was our easy three-hour drive from Toronto to the Smiths Falls, Ontario, base of Le Boat operations in Canada.

During our drive we discussed the many fabulous options for our 3-night weekend rental, including whether to cruise south from Smiths Falls on the Rideau canal towards Kingston, into the larger lakes and open waters, as we did last year, or go north towards Ottawa with more canal cruising through multiple locks.

Judi & her family on her first Le Boat trip last summer (2021), also on Canada’s Rideau Canal, on a Horizon 2 category boat. * Photo: Judi Cohen

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Our Le Boat This Time – Horizon 3 Plus

We chose a larger boat than the one we had last time — we booked a Horizon 2 our first time and Horizon 3 Plus this time.

The Horizon 3 Plus was much more comfortable for four adults with a large master cabin and two smaller cabins, all with their own toilet and shower.

In Canada, the Horizon fleet ranges from boats with one bedroom and one toilet accommodating three guests, to boats with up to five bedrooms with five toilets, housing 12 guests.

Our Horizon 3 Plus LeBoat docked at Kilmarnock Lock on the Rideau Canal. * Photo: Judi Cohen

All come with fully equipped kitchens, and bed and bathroom linens.

By choosing the larger boat we had more room on board to sleep, eat and play, and a full-size refrigerator

The generous interior space on our Horizon 3 Plus LeBoat. * Photo: Judi Cohen

In Canada, only Le Boat’s Premier Horizon Fleet is available. And there are five categories of Horizon Le Boats to choose from.

Worldwide, the Le Boat fleet is comprised of three main categories:

Premier (available in Canada & Europe)
- Horizon Fleet (from Horizon 1 to Horizon 5)
Comfort & Comfort Plus (available in Europe)
Budget (available in Europe)

Arrival at Smiths Falls Friday

The weather was overcast, with high winds, on our arrival at Smiths Falls and the staff recommended that we overnight on our houseboat at the dock and commence our cruising in the morning. We heeded the expert advice, unloaded our things from the car and wheeled them in a cart to our boat.

Le Boating with the family on Canada's Rideau Canal

Family freezing on our Le Boat the day of arrival in Smiths Falls. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We took advantage of our overnight stay in Smiths Falls to take the dog for a walk into town and check out the quaint shops and historical buildings. Many shops had already closed, nonetheless it was fun to window shop.

This turned out to be a wonderful way to start our holiday with a homemade dinner and a quiet sleep on the boat. The fresh cool air from our roof vents and open windows smelled like we were in the country.

Joni & Lawrence waiting at Old Slys Locks on Canada's Rideau Canal

Joni & Lawrence waiting at Old Slys Locks. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Le Boat Training & Cruising North on Saturday

We had fun cooking up a breakfast of eggs and bacon onboard before our Le Boat instructor came to give us a lesson on captaining our boat, including familiarization with navigational maps, emergency procedures, boat operations and how to enter and exit the locks.

Ninety minutes later, with Alison as our captain, we were ready to untie and start our adventure.

Our instructor did an excellent job and also reassured us that if something goes wrong, help is just a phone call away. He stayed on the boat while we cruised through the first lock and then jumped off on the dock wishing us a great trip!

We had already decided on our drive from Toronto to head north on the historic Rideau Canal this time, from Smith Falls towards Merrickville, cruising through a variety of historic locks including Smiths Falls Combined Lock, Old Slys Locks, Edmunds Lock and Kilmarnock Lock before arriving at the Merrickville Lock Station.

Joni, the Navigator waiting to cruise through the Kilmarnock Lock. * Photo: Judi Cohen

On our first 3-night Le Boat cruise (in summer 2021), we cruised south from Smiths Falls through Poonamalie Lock, overnighting at Beveridges Lock. We then cruised on Big Rideau Lake before overnighting at Westport, with a final night on Colonel By Island before returning to Smiths Falls.

A map showing both Le Boat cruise routes Judi has has taken — one first south of Smith Falls, the second north of Smith Falls. * Map: Le Boat

The Rideau is the only canal dating from the great North American canal-building era of the early 19th century that is still operational along its original line.

It is fascinating to see the Parks Canada staff at each lock station operate the lock gates and sluice valves with hand-powered winches. We felt like we were cruising through the centuries, while having all the modern conveniences at our fingertips.

going through the locks of Canada's Rideau Canal

Judi and Lawrence working the ropes with Alison, JP and Joni supervising. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Merrickville Misadventure — Ship Happens

When approaching the Merrickville Locks, the lock master advised us that if we were docking overnight, we would have to move out of the lock area and into another location a short distance away where there was parking for our boat. He warned us about shallow waters around the dock.

Shallow water and the rocky shoal below Judi's Le Boat

Shallow water and the rocky shoal below our boat in Merrickville. * Photo: Judi Cohen

As we approached the dock, we saw the lock master waiving his hands thinking he was signaling us to proceed. In fact, he was telling us to stop.

Within seconds we ran up on a shoal and we heard our boat scrape along the rocky outcropping below us. We turned off the engine, knowing we were in trouble and called the emergency number for LeBoat.

They asked a series of questions to determine our precise location and wanted to ensure we were all ok. They arranged for a boat to come out to meet us which must have been challenging given that it was a holiday weekend.

Other boaters saw we were stranded and came over in small rubber Zodiacs to ask if we needed any help. Alison and our dog climbed into the Zodiac and were taken to shore.

Friendly boaters took Alison and Joni to shore while we waited for rescue boat to arrive. * Photo: Judi Cohen

After Joni did her thing, the boaters invited Alison to the dock for snacks while we awaited the rescue boat.

rescue of Judi's Le Boat in Merrickville

That look of relief after our rescue in Merrickville. * Photo: Alison Cohen

Two hours later the rescue boat arrived with Le Boat’s technician, John, and the rescue boat owner from a local marina on board.

They tied a rope around our boat and within minutes they were able to tow us off the shoal and back into open water. John opened a hatch in the floor to check that we did not have any water in the boat. He gave us a clean bill of health, smiled and stayed to speak with us for a bit.

VIDEO: Below is Judi’s video of her Le Boat being towed off the shoal.

https://youtube.com/shorts/qn48FY_4lK4?feature=share

Following the rescue, we needed to move the boat to another parking space on the dock. Alison was reluctant to captain, however John told her to get in the captain’s chair as he instructed the operation. She did just great and immediately regained her confidence and was able to continue to captain our boat for the rest of the trip.

Someone once told me that there are three types of captains, those who have grounded a boat, those who will ground a boat and those who don’t admit to grounding a boat.

I hope that sharing our experience will be useful to seasoned and novice house-boaters alike. And that our experience provides reassurance that with training and attention, your houseboat experience will provide memorable time with your family or friends to bond and share the learning.

Once we were docked for the night in Merrickville, we had a group hug and went for a walk along the colourful main street before returning for dinner and a much-needed good night’s sleep.

Judi & Lawrence shopping in Merrickville

Judi and Lawrence at Country Bumpkins Shop in Merrickville. * Photo: Alison Cohen

Crossing over the lock returning from a walk in downtown Merrickville. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Father’s Day Sunday

We enjoyed Sunday morning with Father’s Day Brunch on the top deck.

Father’s Day Brunch on the Top Deck of our Le Boat in Merrickville. * Photo: Alison Cohen

Then we took a walk into Merrickville, stopping at the flea market, where Alison bought a vintage fishing tackle box, and then into Violet’s on Main for home-baked cookies.

Violets on Main Merrickville Village Bakery. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We were lucky to find a nice table for a late lunch in the outdoor courtyard of The Goose & Gridiron Restaurant that allowed dogs. Joni and we were thrilled!

A Peaceful Night at Kilmarnock Lock

Later in the day we cruised to the very quiet Kilmarnock Lock, with rural farmland and apple orchards for an overnight stay. The lockmaster left at 7pm and before leaving he told us the lock would re-open at 9am.

Peace and Quiet at Kilmarnock Lock. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We heard only the sound of bullfrogs coming from the surrounding swampy area, and the odd fish jumping in the canal. It was peaceful to be at one with nature whilst in the comfort of our lovely Le Boat houseboat.

Returning our Le Boat — in Smiths Falls on Monday

After a sound sleep, we left Kilmarnock to cruise for a couple of hours back to Smith Falls and return our boat around noon.

We removed all of our personal belongings, and placed our garbage on the dock as instructed. We loaded everything up in handy wheelbarrows for a short walk to the Le Boat parking lot.

As we checked out at the Le Boat office, we briefly talked about our experience with the staff. We paid $680 to Le Boat to cover the cost of the towing.

Our insurance policy, purchased from Le Boat had a $1,500 deductible clause, meaning that we were responsible for the first $1,500 of damage in the event of an accident.

Lessons Learned

The sting of our boating misadventure in no way robbed our family of the joy we experienced on our return to the Rideau Canal to once again laugh, cook, plan and navigate together on a Le Boat houseboat. We created special memories with a bit of a twist that will be shared with our friends and family for years to come.

We learned that it is important to not only take out adequate insurance but to also understand the terms and conditions should the unexpected occur.

Similar to a car rental, Le Boat charges a daily rate for Collision Damage Waiver Insurance, with a deductible of $1500.

If you choose to waive the daily insurance, the renter can choose to leave a larger credit deposit at time of pick ($5,000) and your liability for loss or damage to your boat is limited to the amount collected if there is damage to the boat.

We were fortunate to have cellular phone service with our own carrier, and that Le Boat’s emergency response was prompt and excellent. Luckily the boat did not sustain damage. Keep the emergency phone number handy on the boat at all times, both in your cell phones as well as on a written note handy on your cruising and road maps. The emergency number was posted in various places throughout the boat and readily at Hand.

Our misfortune on the Rideau Canal was a learning experience on the importance of understanding navigational maps and reading the information from the onboard GPS.

It can take just moments of inattention or confusion to create an unfavourable scenario.

Passing the red and green buoys on the correct side of the boat is critical.

When getting the instructions from Le Boat before heading out, be certain to ask lots of questions and pay close attention to the trainer.

Do Your Homework

Le Boat provided useful information to help us prepare for our adventure.

They also provided a Complete Guide to Boating Vacations guide along the Rideau Canal, a Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We admittedly should have studied these in depth before setting sail.

Final Thoughts about My Le Boat Weekend on Canada’s Rideau Canal

Despite our incident, I will certainly return for a third time to Le Boat, whether here in Canada on the Rideau, or in France, Spain, the UK or Italy for a family or friends’ getaway.

We will remember our 2022 Father’s Day Weekend forever and share our story happily with others.