Lake Ontario

[Fosters Imports]

Has anyone gone from Hamilton or close by to Kingston by power boat? I want to make a trip but have been told it's costly on fuel and it would be cheaper for me to trailer there?? Any help would be appreciated.. Just trying to get a general idea on how long how much etc.. Thanks

[sailingmonica]

Last summer we helped a friend move a 25 ft houseboat from Hamilton to Scarborough. The houseboat had a V8 GM engine. We chose a day when there was no wind (boat moves easier on flat water), burned about 120 litres of gasoline, our speed was about 4-5 knots, took about 9 hours from dock to dock. Our friend was quoted $900 to move the boat on land by trailer.

Take a look at what the distance is between Hamilton and Scarborough, then Scarborough to Kingston and do your own calculations. Then get quotes from boat movers and compare with what it would cost for you to move it.

It all depends on what type of boat you have, what is your cruising speed, what is your fuel consumption and of course how comfortable you are doing it. It can make for a nice trip, though, especially if you carefully chose the weather and make a couple of overnight stops.

[knottybuoyz]

Hamilton to Kingston 322 kilometers along the shore. Would be a nice trip but you have to keep a keen eye on the weather. First half is in open lake.

My 25' express cruiser (VP 290 DP) burns 1 lt per kilometer so it'd cost $322 approx. to make that trip.

[MC01]

If you have a small enough power boat that you can put it on your own trailer and pull it yourself, it'll definetly be cheaper to do that, but then what's the point of having a boat?

If you have to pay for haul-out / truck / launch, it'll be cheaper to take it over water.

[Lodesman]

Probably cheaper to go along the New York side.

[marshmat]

I do this trip regularly, via Highway 401 (about 330 km / 4 hours). For my little boat, it's cheaper and safer (and faster) this way.

From Trenton onward, the route is sufficiently sheltered that anything over 20 feet or so should have no trouble in good weather. West of Trenton is pretty exposed. A boat capable of open-water passages could go right down the middle of the lake, but I wouldn't do that in a small boat or if there's a risk of weather. There are places to put in for fuel and shelter every 50-75 km or so along the shore. Expect to be ripped off at the marina pumps (just like the Kingston gas stop with the sign saying "Last fuel on 401 in Ontario", the prices are often inflated by 10 to 15 cents a litre.)

If you decide to do it by truck and trailer, there is a free (but poorly maintained) municipal ramp in downtown Kingston and a pricier ($10-$12) but very well kept ramp at Portsmouth Harbour that can easily handle boats of 30+ feet. The inner harbour marina has facilities to launch larger boats and, from what I've seen, isn't unreasonably pricey.

Stopping near Brighton for a night lets you break the trip up into two legs done at slower speeds, and could save a fair bit of fuel money.

[knottybuoyz]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

Probably cheaper to go along the New York side.

Not a big difference. Just 50 more kms. Probably a nicer trip though.

[Fosters Imports]

Originally Posted by sailingmonica

Last summer we helped a friend move a 25 ft houseboat from Hamilton to Scarborough. The houseboat had a V8 GM engine. We chose a day when there was no wind (boat moves easier on flat water), burned about 120 litres of gasoline, our speed was about 4-5 knots, took about 9 hours from dock to dock. Our friend was quoted $900 to move the boat on land by trailer.

Take a look at what the distance is between Hamilton and Scarborough, then Scarborough to Kingston and do your own calculations. Then get quotes from boat movers and compare with what it would cost for you to move it.

It all depends on what type of boat you have, what is your cruising speed, what is your fuel consumption and of course how comfortable you are doing it. It can make for a nice trip, though, especially if you carefully chose the weather and make a couple of overnight stops.

THANK-YOU all very much we really appreciate all the responses!

[Fosters Imports]

Thanks all for the info and thanks for the marina info for launching.. We appreciate the help.