FLORIDA BAY

Marathon, Florida

EVERGLADES

Shark River

RENDEZVOUS

Palm Island, Florida

LOVERS LEAP

San Juan Islands – Stewart Island, WA

SOUTH SOUND

Tacoma, Washington

BLAKE ISLAND

Puget Sound, Washington

FLORIDA BAY

Marathon, Florida

Newboro Lockstation 36 Features One of Four Blockhouses on the Rideau Canal

Newboro Lock Was a Fun Stop! A picture-perfect day on the water for the crew of Kismet. Before we arrived at Newboro, we went through Davis and Chaffey Locks. We locked through to the upper side of the lock and tied up under the cover of some shade trees. The Newboro Lock features a Blockhouse–one of four, constructed by Colonel John By, on the Rideau Canal. They built blockhouses to defend the channels and locks on the Rideau; they housed a garrison of about ten men. Newboro is one of the few communities that arose because of the construction of the…

Jones Falls – A Flight of Locks

Jones Falls is a Good Example of a Flight of Locks – After leaving the anchorage at Morton Bay, we headed for the locks at Jones Fall. Boats were already locking through, east to west. So we tied up to the blue line on the long dock below to wait for them to finish locking down. Since Jones Falls is a series of locks near each other, called a "flight of locks," we were there awhile watching the process. [wpgmza id="24"] Jones Falls is a Good Example of a "Staircase" Lock The first three chambers, Locks 42-41 and 40 of Jones…

On Our Way to Morton Bay – Kingston Mills – Rideau Canal, Ontario/Quebec

The Rideau Heritage Route, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Ontario and Quebec, Canada – Kingston Mills – We began our ascent of the Rideau Canal at the Cataraqui River system, cruising through the Cataraqui Marsh before we arrived at Kingston Mills, 4.35 miles from Kingston, our first of 24 lock stations on the canal. For about two weeks, we followed the canal and navigated through historic, charming villages, were witness to a few local events, and met friendly Canadians. They operate the old locks, of the Rideau Canal, today as they did when the locks first opened in 1832. A 19th-century…

Kingston, Ontario, Marks the Start of Our Rideau Canal Cruise

After making a loop through the Thousand Islands, on the Saint Lawrence River, we returned to the canal system in Ontario. The first stop was Kingston, the southern starting point of the historic Rideau Canal The French established Kingston, Ontario in 1673 as a trading post, Fort Cataraqui. In the 1780s the British took possession of the Fort and officially named the city, Kingston. For a short three-year period, in 1841, Kingston was the capital of Canada. In 1844 they moved it to Ottawa, at the northern end of the Rideau River. As we walked around town, we noticed a more European…

Thousand Islands – Fifty Miles of Beauty

January 27, 2019
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Saint Lawrence River

The Thousand Islands, an archipelago of 1,864 islands, lies between the US and Canadian borders. We were looking forward to cruising around the islands to get a feel for the history of the area. We saw many islands with unique houses sitting on rocks–some small cottages, but many were masonry castles. The Thousand Islands area is known for its recreational boating and historic houses. The wealthy built summer homes with big boat houses filled with classic wood boats. Lots of visual interest for the captain and crew as we maneuvered Kismet around the archipelago. Familiar With Thousand Island Dressing? It originated in this summer resort…

Boldt Castle – A Vision of Love! – Heart Island, New York

January 23, 2019
Lisa Favors
•USA-EAST, CRUISING, Saint Lawrence River

Thousand Islands – Home to Bolt Castle! Ever since we did the Great Loop boat trip in 2005/06, we have wanted to visit the Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands, in the Saint Lawrence River. We didn't take that route. Ever since we've had it in our minds to return to the area to visit the Thousand Islands and the amazing Boldt Castle. Millionaire George Boldt, in the late 1800s and into the early 20th century, worked for the wealthy Astor family as the General Manager of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, in New York City. George's vision was to build a 120-room…

Crossing Over the Saint Lawrence River to Visit Clayton, New York

January 9, 2019
Jim Favors
•USA-EAST, CRUISING, Rideau Canal, Trent Severn Waterway

Clayton, New York is Home to the Antique Boat Museum Clayton, New York, and the Thousand Islands area, on the Saint Lawerence River between New York State and Ontario Canada, are places we’ve always wanted to visit. We knew we'd have to cross the border again to dock on the U.S. side of the river. We would have to cross back again to Canada to resume our trip to Montreal. The border crossing felt seamless as we used the new mobile app from the Department of Homeland Security, called CBP Roam, to check into Clayton. One highlight of visiting this small town…

Rockin’ the Locks! – Trent Severn Waterway – Ontario, Canada

Gateway to the Trent-Severn Waterway – Trenton, Ontario

December 3, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Last Day on the Trent-Severn Waterway for the Crew of Kismet! Frankford was a fun stop and we're glad we spent the night there, but now that the Trent-Severn Waterway is behind us, we are antsy to move on – time to explore places we've not been before. It seems most of our cruises include revisiting a few past favorites along with exploring new territory. This 2018 end-of-summer cruise is no different. We redid the TSW north to south this time, backward from when we did our first Great Loop trip in 2006. Looking back, starting with the Ranger Tugs and…

Peaceful, Friendly Stop in Frankford, Ontario – Trent Severn Waterway

November 16, 2018
Jim Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

We Looked Forward to our Stops in Campbellford and Frankford – Cruising to Campbellford today, followed by Frankford, Ontario tomorrow. At this point on our Trent Severn journey, we were only three travel days, 18 locks, and 50 miles away from Trenton, Ontario, and the end of this amazing Canadian waterway. We departed Hastings for a leisurely 19-mile cruise to Campbellford for a quick overnight stay. After negotiating several locks we arrived at the roomy dock wall at Old Mill Park where we knew, from our earlier visit, we’d have electricity and be able to fill up our water tanks…

Riding the Bucket at Peterborough Lift Lock – Ontario, Canada

November 2, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Powered by Gravity – Lock 21 Features the Unique Peterborough Lift Lock! The day started off like most other days on this journey, however, on this day we were excited to be locking through the Peterborough Lift Lock. Built in the early 1900s, the Peterborough Lift Lock is quite a treat for boaters transiting the Trent Severn Waterway. Peterborough lift lock is on the Otonabee River section of the waterway. It is a Canadian National Historic Site, fashioned after smaller lift locks in Europe. Considered to be a marvel of modern engineering, because gravity powers it, the Peterborough Lift Lock is the…

Lakefield Lock Wall Was a Dreamy Stop – Trent Severn Waterway – Ontario, Canada

September 21, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Lakefield Lock 26 was one of the most picturesque stops on the Trent Severn Waterway The historic little town of Lakefield resides in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. After transiting five locks, Lakefield was our planned stop for the day. The approach to the lock was a long, narrow, twisty, rock and tree-lined canal. We were the only boat there when we arrived, later joined by a young couple on a speedboat who camped, in a tent on land, by their boat. We tied up on the lock wall before the lock (the upside of the lock). Although, at first…

We May Never Leave Bobcaygeon – Trent Severn Waterway – Ontario, Canada

September 13, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Stopping in Bobcaygeon was a Highlight of our Trent Severn Waterway Cruise! – Jim and I have been talking about Bobcaygeon for some time now, especially when we made plans to cruise the Trent Severn Waterway again. We missed stopping in Bobcaygeon last time, on our first "Loop" trip in 2006. So, for us, it was always the place on the Trent Severn that we regretted not stopping at. In 2006, after we locked through to the upper side, there weren’t any spots available, either below or above. So we pushed on through. It was mid-June, and the height of…

Locking Up and Down to Fenelon Falls – Trent Severn Waterway – Ontario, Canada

September 6, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

It was a cloudy, windy day on our cruise to Fenelon Falls – The overcast day was unfortunate since we were to transit Kirkfield Lift Lock 36 on that day before we docked at Fenelon Falls. Located in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, the hydraulic lift lock would be the highlight of our day on the water. I wanted to get a few good photos of the trip. We remember it as being a very scenic ride up in the “tub” when we came through the Trent Severn during our Great Loop trip in 2006. The channel leading to the lock is…

Locking Through – Trent Severn Waterway – Ontario, Canada

August 29, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Trent Severn Waterway – Canada’s Renowned Inland Passageway – Jim and I cruised the Trent Severn Waterway once before, it was on our first Great Loop trip, in 2005/06. That time we did the whole waterway, this time we will only do the stretch from Lake Simcoe, south to Trenton. No Big Chute for us this time. It will be interesting to do this waterway from north to south. Last time, we were traveling home to complete our “Loop” in Charlevoix, Michigan, so we went from Trenton to Severn, ending up in Georgian Bay. Our end-of-summer trip plans start with the Trent Severn Waterway…

2018 Great Lakes Rendezvous Day Three

August 24, 2018
Jim Favors
•RENDEZVOUS-RANGER TUGS, REN-Great Lakes Area

Rendezvous Day Three – Started Off on the Docks with a Big Pot of Coffee and the Best Butter Tarts we’ve ever had – Baked fresh at Wilkes Bakery, in downtown Orillia, that morning. These tarts are so fresh and buttery, if you eat one it’s hard to stop! After mingling on the docks with our "sweets," we reconvened at the Royal Canadian Legion for John and Laurie Gray's presentation on the Great Loop. The presentation was followed by lunch. There was a huge interest in this presentation by the attendees. Many would like to do the "Loop" on their tugs. We spent…

2018 Great Lakes Rendezvous Day Two

August 23, 2018
Jim Favors
•RENDEZVOUS-RANGER TUGS, REN-Great Lakes Area

Yesterday Was Fun, But the Rendezvous Day Two Was Action Packed! – The scheduled meals and presentations, of the rendezvous on day two, were easily accessible, located across the street from Port of Orillia, at the Royal Canadian Legion, which worked out well. The RCL folks were easy and delightful to work with, they made us feel like members. After breakfast Ranger Tugs Customer Service Rep Tim Bates conducted a Q & A for everyone, which continued on the docks with one-on-one sessions on attendees' boats. Much appreciated by all. We left open a 3-hour window for "free time." Attendees could…

2018 Great Lakes Area Rendezvous – Day One – Potluck Dinner on the Dock

August 19, 2018
Lisa Favors
•RENDEZVOUS-RANGER TUGS, CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, REN-Great Lakes Area, Trent Severn Waterway

DAY ONE – 2018 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous – We all came for this! A gathering of TugNuts and Tugettes. We love our boats, and there's nothing like a rendezvous to bring this happy group of boaters together to have a good time. We started the festivities before the actual event began, with the BBQ dinner at Lefroy Harbour Resorts, on Thursday night. On Friday more boats arrived at Port of Orillia, by Happy Hour Ranger Tugs littered the docks, every shape, size, and color, and one Cutwater Boat. Several people came but didn't bring their…

Kismet Arriving for the Rendezvous in Orillia – Ontario’s “Sunshine City”

August 19, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Orillia, Ontario – Location of the 2018 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous – Our friend, Mark Renshaw is the one who suggested Orillia as the location for this year's rendezvous. Mark is a Ranger Tug owner, and he's from Orillia. Jim was looking for a location on the Trent-Severn Waterway because it is one of our favorite canal systems. Boaters could cruise the beautiful Trent-Severn after the event. Fifty-five percent of attendees were Canadian, 45% Americans It was a surprise to us how many local Ranger Tug owners signed up for the rendezvous. Due to Lefroy Harbor selling…

Lefroy Harbour Resorts Rendezvous BBQ & Seafood Boil Feast!

August 17, 2018
Jim Favors
•RENDEZVOUS-RANGER TUGS, REN-Great Lakes Area

Lefroy Harbour Resorts is Also a Ranger Tug dealer – Lefroy Harbour Resorts is located in Lefroy, Ontario, on Simcoe Lake. They have been a sponsor of our Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Great Lakes Area Rendezvous’ since we started the first one in 2014. During the initial planning stages, last spring, Ryan Stovold offered to host a pre-rendezvous reception at Lefroy for the participants, Thursday evening, the night before our event started in Orillia. The friendly staff at Lefroy welcomed everyone as if we were all long-time friends. Just as when we arrived at Lefroy a few days ago…

Launching at Lefroy Harbour – Ontario, Canada

August 17, 2018
Lisa Favors
CANADA-EAST, CRUISING, Trent Severn Waterway

Before the Rendezvous, we launched the boat at Lefroy Harbour — Ontario, Canada. Great Spot, close to Orillia, where the rendezvous took place. [wpgmza id="25"]

Round Lake Retreat in Charlevoix the Beautiful – Our “Forever” Homeport

August 16, 2018
Lisa Favors
Charlevoix, CRUISING, GREAT LAKES, Michigan

Escaping to Charlevoix for a Three-Week Vacation! – When we arrive home after being away for the winter, we typically have a slew of chores to do at home. That's after we put the boat away for a couple of months. Well, we got through the list and soon our thoughts turned to scheduling summer cruising time in the Great Lakes. Jim and I used to have a slip in Charlevoix, Michigan on Round Lake. It was our home port for many years before we retired and started long-distance cruising. Charlevoix is a second home for Jim and me. We still know…

Trailering Kismet North for Summer Cruising in Northern Michigan

August 16, 2018
Lisa Favors
•BOATERHOMING, •STAGING-STORING, •TRAILERING, Charlevoix, CRUISING, GREAT LAKES, Michigan, Traverse City

On the Road Again! – We were dubious about trailering Kismet back home; it was already mid-April. The temperature should be okay, right? We kept a close eye on the weather as there were serious low digits on the horizon for our hometown of Traverse City, Michigan. Ideally, we'd like to not have to winterize the boat when leaving Florida. Not looking too good as our departure day inched closer. We even stayed a couple more days, hoping not to do this chore. However, as serious blizzard conditions headed for Traverse City, our outlook seemed glum. We couldn't wait much longer as we…

Time to Go Home – Loading Kismet in Fort Lauderdale

August 15, 2018
Lisa Favors
•TRAILERING, CRUISING, FLORIDA, ICW-EAST COAST

Think we have the hang of loading the boat now! After six years of trailering our Ranger Tugs R27, we guessed that loading the bigger boat onto the trailer would be harder. The only other time we trailered the boat was in the Pacific Northwest last fall. We took delivery of her in August and cruised for several weeks before loading her again. The boatyard lifted the boat out of the water by a travel lift and placed it on the trailer. That's a good thing because we were a little intimidated by the whole OVERSIZE LOAD requirements, rules and regulations. We wondered how…

New River Rendezvous with Family – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale – One of my favorite stops on the water! I love the boating activity on the New River, and the River Walk for an early morning stroll, or late afternoon explorations up and into Las Olas. I suppose the most fun we have is watching tug boats tow mega-yachts past the cockpit of our boat. We'll sip cocktails and dream of all the places we could go in those big yachts. But, then we'll say, "With that bigger yacht, first of all, you'll need a bigger crew to get around, to clean and maintain. Secondly, loss of privacy…

Women On Ranger Tugs —Women Ranger Tugs Owners Discover Boating As A Rewarding Lifestyle Choice.
SEE MORE!

Upside Of Downsizing To A Trailerable Trawler —Learn about the inherent benefits of owning a trailerable trawler.
Flexibility, Mobility & Affordability!
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Women On Board Cruising – Want to inspire your wife, girlfriend or partner to do the Loop with you? Have them read this book. Twenty-five veteran women boaters share the trials, tribulations, helpful tips and humor about their long-distance cruising adventures. SEE MORE!

When the Water Calls… We Follow – Reflections On the Great Loop Adventure. Read how these “Loopers” prepared for the trip, overcame obstacles, also see what they enjoyed and learned while undertaking their Great Loop adventures.
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