High Water

Mon-Fri July 17-21

The good part about transiting through the Trent Severn Waterway canals is that they open at 9 am. We can sleep later and still make the first lock opening! Lock 13 and the next several locks from Campbellford were only about a mile apart. There has been so much rain this spring and summer that the currents from many of the dams are still very swift. Lots of noise in Lock 15--it was the water flowing over the lock gates! Also water over the lock flight 16/17. We are surprised the locks aren't shut down; very glad the locks aren't closed like the Erie Canal.

Water overtopping Lock 15 gates

We went through lock 18  and then into Hastings Village Marina for the night and for a pumpout.  The next morning we stayed a couple extra hours at the marina to use the wifi and talk to AT&T again. Contrary to what AT&T told us before we left the states, our wifi hotspot does not work at all. My AT&T phone works most of the time, but not the wifi. AT&T is no help. So I have to depend on free wifi from the marinas.

A fish sculpture at the riverside Pices Park in Hastings

We had an excellent day cruising through Rice Lake and Otonabee River, about 37 miles without locks! The river reminds us of the upper St. Johns River in Florida--a narrow winding river, lily pads back in the coves, and trees with big bird nests--but no alligators!! 

Otonabee River

We stop at Peterborough Marina before the next series of locks. 

The fountain in Little Lake at Peterborough

Then we notice the bilge pump is really running a lot. I text some loopers that live in the area to hunt for a marina that can pull our boat out of the water. The nearest marina that can pull our boat is 32 miles and 12 locks away--can't make that in one day. Kelly checks and rechecks the bilge pumps and the high water alarms to make sure they work. Then we search for leaks. The water is coming from around the stern tube. But we had the rear seal/cutless bearing fixed last fall in Demopolis. Somebody uncrossed their fingers!

We are anxious to get going on Wednesday to the Peterborough Lift Lock. It is a lift of 65'- the highest lift lock in the world. It is a big pan and we pull in with 3 other boats. It was a smooth ride up and a great view! Thanks to looper Ron Liss for taking our picture!

Waiting to go in the Peterborough Lift Lock

Our view from the top

At the top of the lift!

We proceed through 8 locks total then pull into a small marina and campground Islandview Resort. Three big guys had to struggle to pull the boat to the dock--there is a wild current here. But at least they have electricity to make sure the bilge pumps keep running. And the bilge pumps are running even more! The next morning Kelly has the repair marina bring a big bilge pump, discharge hose and battery just in case. 

A view of the island

It is a nice 4 hour cruise through Stoney Lake. Everything is built on big rocks! 

Stoney Point

Buckhorn Marina is just past Lock 31.  The marina has a hydraulic trailer to pull us out of the water. They immediately pull off the prop and stern tube seal plate and will let everything dry out to repair it on Friday.

The next morning the weather was great for working on the boat. The marina owner loaned us his truck to go to the grocery store and then we washed the mustache from the front of the hull. 

That afternoon about 3, all the repairs are dry, they are going to launch us! We are still on the trailer, they back up about 30' and into the water. Oh no!!! It still leaks. One guy starts feeling around and discovers the stern tube is split on the bottom. We never considered this. How could this happen again? We had the stern tube replaced 10 years ago! We are IN DEEP SHIP!!!!!