Boat trip from Champlain Marina to Montreal Click image to expand. Use left arrow on expanded image to return here.

The boat trip from Champlain Marina to Montreal is a great way to spend a week on the water. This trip has a leisurely pace and is very easy to plan. The general landmarks are Champlain Bridge, Canadian Customs, St. Jean, Chambly Canal, Chambly, Auberge Handfield, Sorel and Montreal. The Chambly Canal begins at St. Jeans and runs parallel to the Richelieu River for about ten miles where it reconnects to the river at Chambly Basin. We like to make this trip with layovers at St Jean, Auberge Handfield and Montreal. We have also done it with layovers at Chambly and Montreal. The trip can also be done with one layover at Sorel and then on to Montreal the second day. Be sure you have charts as the canal is sometimes narrow and has rocks in some areas. Be prepared in the narrow sections because a very large boat may come go by without slowing down and creating a big wake. They will be close and there may be rocks at the edge of the channel. The most significant narrow sections are just north of Canadian Customs and just north of that south at the island. We recommend having a copy of Waterway Guide or Waterway Guide - Great Lakes

The trip begins at the Colchester Causeway opening - rain or shine.

The first leg of the trip is about 30 miles North to the Champlain Bridge. At the bridge, notice a new US Customs dock on the west side.

Canadian Customs is about 20 minutes north of the Champlain Bridge on the west shore. Follow the markers into and out of the customs dock.

The marina at St Jean is about three hours from Champlain Marinas when cruising at 25 to 30 mph.

We like to have a continental breakfast on the dock when on a boat trip. On his first boat trip, Jack volunteered to make breakfast. jack served scrambled eggs, french toast, bacon, fruit and muffins.

This is the first northbound lock in the Chambly Canal. The canal is well staffed and most to the canal staff speaks English. There are fees for the canals and credit cards are accepted.

The canal is narrow for much of the way and is very scenic.

There is a very active bike path along the ten mile canal from St Jean to Chambly.

This is one of several swing bridges you will pass through.

A bridge attendant opens the bridge as boats approach.

To minimize the time the gate is open, boaters are asked to get close to each other as they approach a bridge.

The ropes in the canal system are passed, fore and aft, as the boat enters the lock. The ropes are usually dry and clean.

After leaving the first lock, it is a long while to the next lock.

A lot of the locks are grouped just south of Chambly. There are a couple of locks less than a mile south of Chambly and then two in the village of Chambly. The multiple locks grouped next to each other is because of the high drop and rise.

There docks where you can tie up while waiting for the first group of locks to open. The wait is usually a half hour more or less. There is an ice cream shop next to these docks.

At the village of Chambly, there is a wall to tie up to while waiting for the village lock to open. This lock requires opening a swing bridge in the center of town. This is in the center of the village and some spend the night tied up here. There is a marina on the north side of these locks and it has fuel. Fourquet Fourchette is a fun restaurant about four blocks walk from locks.

The bridge is open and many people stop to watch the boats pass through the two locks into Chambly Basin

When northbound, Chambly Basin and the marina at Chambly can be seen from the top lock at Chambly

It is fun to talk with other boaters while the lock are filling or draining.

This photo shows the lower locks at Chambly while it is draining.

This is, southbound traffic, in the upper lock at Chambly while it is filling.

This is, northbound traffic, in the lower lock at Chambly while it is drained.

Here is the northern entry gate to locks at Chambly

Auberge Handfield is a favorite layover. It is a very small marina on the Richelieu River that has a fantastic restaurant. There is one waiter who speaks English. Auberge Handfield also has a pool, pool bar and inn. They do weddings and events so reservations at the inn need to be made well in advance. This is truly like visiting a small foreign village. There is a really great bakery a short walk north of the marina.

Try not to be on the outside because most of the boat traffic ignores the no wake signs.

There is one last lock between Auberge Handfield and the St Lawrence Seaway. Look closely and you will see this lock has floating dock tie up.

Last lock at St Ours These two old gals have come to spend the day at the lock watching the boats go by.

The sight of this bridge means the seaway, at Sorel,  is just ahead. Check the shipping traffic on the Seaway and seaway maps and charts.

Sorel is an active shipping port. Gas is available at the marina about one mile north of where the Richelieu meets the St Lawrence Seaway. Depending on your schedule and weather this may be layover. There is a simple restaurant here. When entering this marina be sure to carefully check your charts and stay in thee marked channel.

The St Lawrence Seaway is an active shipping waterway and you will pass many large sea going vessels. Be prepared for the wake. The wake may be behind the ship for miles. Quarter through the wake and be ready to stop and power up the side of the wake. Our fleet includes a 21 foot bow rider and 25 foot bow rider and it is rare for them to get wet.

Entering the port at Old Montreal! The marina is right in the center of Old Montreal.

The docks are modern. The facilities are somewhat limited but clean. They do have ice and laundry available.

Walk down the dock and you are in the waterfront park.

In addition to many fine restaurants and shopping, there are lots of other things to do.

If you have had a quiet boat trip to this point,, you have some exciting boating with a ride in the rapids,

Hang on! You are about to get wet!!