OOPS! Overlooked July 31
July 31 – Tuesday
We departed St. Anne’s lock wall early (06:20) with the new sun in our face and that made it difficult to distinguish the red buoys from the green. That could lead to problems because there are a lot of them marking a very complicated series of channels leading us through shallow waters, around islands and upstream on the St. Lawrence a short distance, to enter the Canal de La Riva Sud. We did it, and found ourselves heading for the St. Catherine ship lock. Some other cruisers told us tales of boats being held up a full day to get through the lock since commercial shipping is given priority. They also told us to have $25. Canadian, ready in exact cash to pay the toll. As we approached the lock we saw several other cruising boats tied to the dock waiting to enter so we approached and rafted to one of the boats. As soon as our lines were secured and we learned the boat we were tied to, was from New York, the loud speaker advised us to prepare to enter and we did. A total wait time of maybe 10 minutes. Five boats entered and locked through by 09:30 and we were headed to the next and last big one. As we approached the St. Lambert lock, the bridge lifted, gates opened and the green light came on. 30 minutes and another $25. and we were on our way to Sorel (or Saurel if you are French Canadian), about 50 miles down the St. Lawrence. Down the St. Lawrence means a +2 kt. current and we averaged a solid 10+ kts. with an easy power setting of 1800 RPM.
The St. Lawrence Seaway is a lot more intimidating on paper than it really is. There were ships, but not many. There were also pontoon boats, bass boats and water skiers. Pretty much like the Bay near Baltimore except radio transmissions were in French. We were tied at the transient dock in Parc Nautique de Sorel by 3:30. A nice facility for one night – it is the home of many, many of the 24’ – 30’ go-fast type day boats used by the “French Navy”. Tomorrow we will head south on the Richelieu River and Chambly Canal toward Lake Champlain, and The United States of America, where we all speak English, for the time being. Traveling through French-speaking Quebec has not been our favorite part of this trip.