Reviews from Garry McClean (21)

  • Marina Review for Lakefield Marina

    Reviewed by: Garry McClean , Watermark, on Feb 18, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 5

    Staff very helpful, good tie up space, along the wall, little tight at the docks. Good provisioning location with local butcher/bakery/and fresh vegetables, all within 5 minute walk. Beer store and liquor store also close by.

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  • Marina Review for Buckhorn Yacht Harbour

    Reviewed by: Garry McClean , Watermark, on Feb 18, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 5

    First Class facility, confused that it says no haul out, as they have the capability should check with them for vessel size, they also do dry storage, as that is where my vessel gets stored.

    • WG Editor Comment:

      Marina listing states they have haul out capability.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 34 Fenelon Falls

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Lots of space with power above, and close to all the amenities. Avoid this location on weekends, as gets very busy and space disappears quickly. Some space below, no power. As with all the locks from lock 26 Lakefield to Rosedale, you will see lots of houseboats. Help them out and give them advice, as many are inexperienced!

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  • Lock comment on Lock 35 Rosedale

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Great overnight spot, showers available. Space above and below, quiet, sheltered. No amenities in the immediate area. Can get busy.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 36: Kirkfield

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Approach to the lock is from Balsam Lake and is narrow and long with few passing spots. Strongly suggest VHF radio monitoring, and lots of securite calls about location, size, and direction. Cannot overemphasise this!! Space for tie up below, very sheltered, nothing in area. There was a restaurant, not sure it is still going. From here to next lock about 1 hour, watch your depths and accelerate very slowly when entering canal lake. Space out larger boats to avoid dead heads that can get stirred up.

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  • Marina Review for Rawley Resort, Spa and Marina

    Reviewed by: Garry McClean , Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Rating: 5

    Great stopover spot, but reserve ahead. Free ice, just ask for it! One shower, but restaurant washrooms always open. Liquor store, limited groceries in the area. Other restaurants close by. Can see lock and the wait times, so suggest you leave early to be the first one on the blue line or through the lock. Best spot for a stopover.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 45 Port Severn

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Smallest lock in the system, and can be slow transiting. Ample tie up space above, and suggest try to transit first thing. Three restaurants in the area, best would be Rawley lodge, which also offers transient tie up, but reserve at least 2-3 days ahead. Below lock can become tricky with lots of markers, and tight turns. Suggest use of VHF radio and securite call, to avoid meeting other boats in some very tight spots. Liquor store and some groceries nearby.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 44 Big Chute Marine Railway

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Arrive early for best chance of getting through in a timely manner. Lots of blue line space, and the adventure of going over the chute is fun. Have camera ready. Some overnight space above for tie up, limited amenities.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 43 Swift Rapids

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Beautiful area, no amenities, lots of quiet space below the lock. Above room for maybe 3-5 boats. All garbage must be packed out. Lots of stairs if you stay below to get to washrooms. From here to big chute it is 1 hour, so good jumping off point for the morning to get over the chute early.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 42 Couchiching

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Very busy especially on weekends. Tie up space available, but nothing in the area. Suggest you use this lock late in day or early in morning, but by then all tie up space will be gone. Big lock so can handle lots of boats, but waiting area is small, and river becomes very congested.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 32 Bobcaygeon

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Good tie up space both above and below. Space for 6-8 boats below with power. Close to all things in town, and lots of restaurants and pubs to chose from. Try to avoid on weekends as lots of boat traffic from the local area. If you want a nice breeze stay above, but no power. Arrive early!!!

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 31 Buckhorn

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Great overnight tie up, above the lock space for roughly 10-12 boats with power, can be very busy on weekends. Below lock space for 2-3 boats no services. 2-3 restaurants in area, and groceries a good 10 minute walk.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 30 Lovesick

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Busy spot arrive early if you want to stay over. No road access, and you must take all garbage with you. Good nature walk across the dam. Above lock can be a little breezy and choppy.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 27 Young's Point

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Limited space, available, but well worth the stop over. Good shopping at Lockside trading, Old Bridge Inn good restaurant as well as others in the immediate area. Small grocery store/agency store within 5 minute walk.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 26 Lakefield

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 10, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Excellent overnight spot, lots of tie up space, and very quiet, sheltered from all weather. A ten minute walk to groceries/liquor/restaurants/and other supplies. One of my favourite spots and there is a bicycle trail that runs all the way back to Peterborough and then Hastings if you are adventurous.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 3 Glen Miller

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Be aware there is a submerged breakwall below the lock than runs almost to the bridge. It has green lateral bouys on it, but keep a close watch and favour the shoreline as you enter and leave the lock from the down side.

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  • Bridge comment on Glen Ross Swing Bridge

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'

    If downbound, it is hard for the lockmaster to see approaching boats, you may want to call when you enter the reach. Very little tie up space, and freeboard on the wall is very low.

    • WG Editor Comment:

      Vessels wishing to lock through should tie to the blue line.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 14 Crowe Bay

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Be careful entering lock from the upstream side as the are competing currents from the dam and the inlet to the power station. Quiet spot for overnight and only 1-2 hours from Campbellford.

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  • Lock comment on Locks 16/17 Healey Falls

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Lots of space above the lock, and a nice walk to see Healey Falls from the dam. Quiet overnight spot, nothing in the area. 2 hours to Hastings from here with lots of slow cruising and scenery to enjoy.

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  • Lock comment on Lock 18 Hastings

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    Great overnight spot, lots of tie up space above the lock, albeit a little noisy as close to road, but also close to all amenities. Leave early in AM if upbound as you have a good 4-5 hour run to reach next lock, and the run across Rice Lake first thing in morning is preferable. Stay here always when up bound, and also downbound.

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  • Lock comment on Lock and Dam 23 Otonabee

    Comment by: Garry McClean, Watermark, on Feb 9, 2019
    Vessel Type: Power
    LOA: 40'
    Draft: 4.0'

    A great quiet overnight spot on the waterway. Nothing nearby, but there are fire pits, and lots of tie up space above the lock. Have stayed here many times, and great jump off point for Buckhorn the next day.

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