We left Marina Valleyfield at 0715 to enter the Beauharnois Canal in time to transit two lift bridges and arrive at the first of two Beauharnois locks in time for the scheduled opening. But it’s all about the freighters which trumped the schedule to determine bridge openings and lock access. You can’t be in a hurry.
During the wait to enter the first lock, we enjoyed the delicious and now famous “Chericuterie Board” for a quick lunch aboard African Queen IV.
The Beauharnois locks were the busiest we’ve experienced yet, with five powerboats in addition to our fleet of two sailboats. Boats were required to raft up to fit them all in the lock.
Unlike the American locks, which use floating bollards, Canadian locks use lines fixed ashore. As the lock empties, you pay out the lines and eventually leave them hanging.
We finished the day zigzagging across Lake St. Louis, which is quite shallow, to dock at the Royal Saint Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval, QC. This club has reciprocal privileges with Rochester Yacht Club and was very welcoming.
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