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19-Day Cruise Notes & Photos

Writer's picture: Gord and DonnaGord and Donna

September 26th, 2023


Yesterday, I took notes from the log book of all the fuel we added on the trip and the engine hours elapsed.


As I'm writing this, the charts are still on the boat so I took the distances from the internet.


We travelled 123 km from Brockville before turning around at Jones Falls on the Rideau. So that's a round trip of 246 km. Again, that's 'as the crow flies'. We likely travelled quite a bit further with our wanderings along the way. I suppose I could have logged the actual distance on the GPS chartplotter but it was often turned off. 246 is close enough.


We used a total of 58L of gas and logged 35 engine hours. Using that and some previous numbers, our fuel consumption works out to 1.64 liters per hour.


Our onboard fuel tank holds a maximum of 68 liters (just under 15 imperial gallons). We never filled it to the top but if we had, we could have done the whole trip on one tank and had 10 liters left over.


Our (SOG) cruising speed (Speed Over Ground) usually varied between 8 and 10 km/hr.


As we hoped it would be, our comfortable little cruiser is amazingly economical to run.



 




Marty and Eva were there to see us off on Sept 1st and Marty's help loading and unloading the dinghy was much appreciated.



A beautiful sunset at Kingston Mills.



Stuffed Mushrooms!



Stepping lightly at West Grenadier Island.



A box stove fire on one of the 'Parks Canada' Island installations..



This little cruise ship (Kawartha Voyager) that is better described as a 'monstrosity' in the Rideau, has a bow section that folds up flat against the wheelhouse to enable it to fit into the smaller locks. In the photo, the bow section is half way back down as she leaves the lock. The photo also shows the autumn colours just starting.



I was a bit upset to learn that this commercial ship has priority in a 'Parks Canada' facility but that's just the idealist in me.


After all, the 'Parks Canada' mission statement does begin with "On behalf of the people of Canada . . . ." and not "In support of private business. . . ."

Oh well.


The photo below shows a common view in the Rideau Waterway. Narrow channels and calm waters are lined with trees, bushes and wildlife that includes hawks, bald eagles, ducks, geese, swans and lots of great herons.



The following is an early morning shot (still dark outside) of Donna making coffee as we were preparing to race a rainstorm back to Smith Island. The single LED dome light above the galley makes the area as bright as day.



Here's another night photo with the main cabin dome light shining bright. A third dome light is situated in the forecabin and a fourth in the head (bathroom).



Back at our club's installation on Smith Island.



'Helen Back' inspired many people to comment on the boat. All were very positive and some were extremely impressed with the design. Many people loved the name too.

 

The construction was officially finished in August, about a week before the trip began. A big 'Thank You' to all who have helped along the way and/or followed the blog through the different stages of concept, construction, finishing and eventual first cruise. We hope it has been entertaining.


Best Wishes to all!

Donna and Gord


 

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