The Big Chute!

How it works!

The vessels are floated into the cradle, which is approximately 80 feet (24 m) long by 26 feet (7.9 m) wide. Four 200 horsepower (150 kW) electric motors provide traction by cable. It can transport up to a combined total of 100 short tons (91 t) in weight.^[1] In this enlarged version the increased weight is borne on a dual track which keeps the carriage level (the front and back wheels are on different tracks, with the front of the carriage on the upper tracks. The carriage is kept horizontal due to the relative profile of the tracks. Toward the end of travel, the carriage assumes a slight “nose down” attitude as it submerges into the water. Boats rest on the bottom of the carriage, and webbing slings are provided to support boats safely and prevent them from tipping. The old system has been decommissioned by Parks Canada, to conform with modern safety standards, although the old tracks and carriage still remain. The last operation of the old system was in 2003.

We awoke fresh to start the day.  There were 4 boats already waiting to go through the “Big Chute” so we pushed off at about 9:45 AM to head to the blue line and await to be called by the lock master.  We floated onto the platform and they pulled straps up to support the boat.  Our running gear hung out over the back of the platform. It was a bit funny, as we noticed that they had a small notebook with all types of boats in it that had hand written information about where to place the straps for each boat model. We were the only boat on the lift.  Then it started to up the railway and over land.  Janis sat out on the front of the boat to see the trip first hand.  Pretty cool.  It was not a scary as you would think.  We were placed into the water again and they told us when to start the engines and motor out from the platform.

Once out, we waited for Getaweigh to come through and took photos of Bubba and Anne. This is what we would have looked like.

After this we headed to our last lock of the Trent-Servern Waterway – Lock #45.  As we followed the waterway, we saw many nice cottages and houses on the rock islands. There were a few narrow areas where we had to dodge a rock that was submerged.

We also saw a place that looked like a plastic zoo!

Lock #45 was not very long and both Getaweigh and Paraiso could not fit into it together.  We went first and then headed through some narrows into more open water.  It was a relief to be in more than 10 ft of water for a change.

We stayed in Midland, ON at Bay Port Yacht Center.  This was a large marina that was full service.  We celebrated our successful goal of completing the Trent-Servern with Bubba and Anne.  

We decided to spend the next day at the marina to clean up our boats and prepare for the Georgian Bay Crossing.