Navigating the Saint Lawrence Seaway

[longjonsilver]

i have found this on the locks:

https://greatlakes-seaway.com/wp-con...craftguide.pdf

Does anyone know of a good cruising guide to the SLS?
thanks
jon

[Flagman101]

An idea of the sector your looking for?
It's a very long river.
I sail mostly the Quebec city region.
Not the same issues than upper river.

[Mike OReilly]

When I sailed out the river to the Atlantic (to Newfoundland) I used:

Probably the most useful guide was the French-only Nautiguide
It was available at most Quebec marinas. I think you can request a PDF now, but you have to be able to read in French.

DFO Sailing Directions
This was quite useful. It is geared mostly to large freighter vessels, but has a lot of useful info. And the digital versions are free now.

Cruising Guide St. Lawrence River and Quebec Waterways
This I found only moderately useful.

We also used online sources like Waterway Guide and Active Captain.

[Chotu]

Where would you typically anchor in Montreal and go ashore if you wanted to visit?

We were actually just saying this is one of our first trips we’d like to make once we have a rig and things pretty much complete.

I’ve enjoyed all the food, roaming the underground city and Piknic Électronik and all that a couple times by RV. It’s a wonderful city to visit.

[longjonsilver]

i am seriously considering buying a boat on lake ontario (Trenton) and taking her to Halifax this next summer - May? So thanks everyone.
jon

[AA3JY]

To be honest ..haven’t been on the ‘Seaway..but I’ve been under a portion of it in the Brockville area..yep..wrecked dived some of wrecks along that portion. Very disconcerting when one hears a heavy sounding ‘Thump..thump..’ over head and yea ask your self am I deep enough..😁

[fourlyons]

That was one of my all-time favorite trips. We started in Ithaca, NY, and finished three months later in Maine.

I found Cheryl Barr's*Down East Circle Route to be pretty helpful.

Choto, we anchored across the river from Montreal, in the small suburb there, Longueuil. There is a marina and park there. We anchored off the park and visited the Colonial era festival/reenactment thing going on. Then went into Montreal on the train.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Where would you typically anchor in Montreal and go ashore if you wanted to visit?

The currents around Montreal are quite strong. We didn't try and visit, but apparently there are transient docks available. We went past a little ways and anchored a short distance downstream. It would be an easy dinghy and a taxi ride back into the city from there.

https://www.waterwayguide.com/explor...55&mode=marina

[Flagman101]

Montreal, you can stop a La ronde marina.or at the old Montreal port. Yes the current is strong.
Do motor up current close to the seawall on the Montreal side.
Going downstream do keep a close eye on wind and current
It gets very choppy when wind against current.
The close tou get to Quebec city the more you need to follow tide
You wont go anywhere if you tru going against tide.
Also you will get on avarage a 15 foot tide twice a day.
Tides will distat your planing.
Bring warm weather gear">foul weather gear. Very warm clothes even in summer. Some area will have water temps at aroung 4'c .
The St-Laurence will test you and your crew but is very rewarding
Commercial traffic are all stand on vessels all the way to Tadousac. Lots of cargos.
Keep clear.

[Chotu]

Didn’t see the responses. Thank you.

Can anyone define strong current in terms of this area?

I grew up sailing (motoring) in a river with a 4 knot reversing current. My first boats motored at a standstill for hours. Even backwards once, when I times the current wrong in my late teens.

Is the current about this strong or worse?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

That was one of my all-time favorite trips. We started in Ithaca, NY, and finished three months later in Maine.

I found Cheryl Barr's*Down East Circle Route to be pretty helpful.

Choto, we anchored across the river from Montreal, in the small suburb there, Longueuil. There is a marina and park there. We anchored off the park and visited the Colonial era festival/reenactment thing going on. Then went into Montreal on the train.

Yes, Longueuil is a good spot! I’ve stayed there visiting by land and took the metro in to the city from the Longueuil station. Very convenient.

If I can anchor over there and get ashore with the dinghy left safely behind, this is ideal.

[fourlyons]

I don't remember anything more than 4 or 5 knots, but on a sailboat, between the predominant wind direction and the current, the only direction I would want to go is outbound.

[Flagman101]

Depending on sector you will get between 1 to 6 knots.
Current actually reverse with tide when you get to Quebec city.

[hpeer]

We came down with our little boat, 16,000#, 13 thundering HP MD-7A.

We stayed at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and took the bus to Montreal. A very nice marina, no hoops to jump through, got a pump out. The bus ride through the countryside was pleasant enough and interesting in itself. No hassle with currents.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

I don't remember anything more than 4 or 5 knots, but on a sailboat, between the predominant wind direction and the current, the only direction I would want to go is outbound.

This actually makes lots of sense.

Maybe it’s best done as a loop.

Even then, you have to buck the predominantly SW winds returning to the east coast usa