Northern Boating Trip 2026 (aboard "Tutta Bella" the motor yacht). (Forth day of trip)

Monday 7 September 2026

Marina de Trois Rivières

Trois Rivières, Quebec, Canada

Photos taken last evening of the new buddy boats and the neighboring paper mill.

05:45 -  Early pre-dawn departure from the marina down the narrow marina channel to the St. Lawrence River.  Visibility improved greatly as the sun came up and we soon passed the African Queen.  

Tutta Bella is the White boat on this AIS map.

Here comes the sun!

Our buddy boat.

Before we knew it we were causing along at 14 plus knots with some significant assist from the outgoing river current.

The crew kept busy when off-watch.

After about 6 hours we arrived at Quebec.

Two Canadian Coast Guard Ice Breakers at their base below the Citadelle.

The iconic Chateau Frontenac with the Levis ferry arriving.

A new Cruise ship in port:  The National Geographic Explorer.

We finally arrived at the partially hidden entrance to the Basin Louise.  Entry is through a tug boat staging harbor and a lock.

Through the lock you enter the Bassin Louise containing the welcoming Port of Quebec Marina with 400 slips (Marina staff are stationed in the lock on weekends and holidays to assist with visitors finding slips).

After we settled in and had lunch we explored the old city.

Old French architecture abounds.

View of a Champlain statue from inside the Chateau Frontenac taken by Will.

I led everyone to one of the highest viewpoints at the Citadelle (fortress).

More architecture.

Charlie took this photo in front of the Quebec Parliament where a protest was taking place.  

Back into the walled City through one of the several gates.

Northern Boating Trip 2026 (aboard "Tutta Bella" the motor yacht). (Third day of trip)

Sunday 6 September 2026

Saint Ours Lock

Saint Ours, Quebec, Canada

Departing the St. Ours Lock and the friendly Parks Canada Lock Tenders.

St. Ours Hydroelectric dam.

09:18 Departure from a very quiet night at this island park facility complete with camping facilities.  There was only one other boat here and it was a sailboat heading South for the winter.  The Lockmaster indicated that boat traffic in general has been low this year.  Could it be the boycott,  high price of fuel, or the 40% exchange rate on currency?

Our plan was to head for a marina in Trois-Rivieres on the St. Lawrence River for tonight before catching the tide down to Quebec City leaving at 05:30 tomorrow morning.  The weather today was fantastic with wind of 10 knots out of the North and clear blue skies.  We also had 100% favorable currents of 1.5 knots in the Richelieu River and up to 3 knots in the St. Lawrence River.  We saw several ships in Sorel and Trois-Rivieres and passed one ship en route.

Our close ship encounter.

Will was at the helm and saw this mirage fast approaching.  He took appropriate evasive action and the good shipping crew of the Tutta Bella safely passed.

The "ship".

We followed this route across Lake St. Peter after our ship encounter in the narrows.

The LaViolette Bridge entering the port city of Trois-Rivieres.  The City is know for its pulp mills and exporting wood products.  Our marina is located in a City Park.

Northern Boating Trip 2026 (aboard "Tutta Bella" the motor yacht). (Second day of trip)

 Saturday 5 September 2026

Chambly Canal Lock #9 Dock

St. John, Quebec, Canada

Waiting for Lock # 9 to open.

-We entered Lock No. 9 with the help of the friendly Parks Canada staff.  Everything went very smoothly under the watchful eyes of the local residents passing through the catwalks over the lock gates, the many bikers and cyclists using the bike path and the boys fishing.  We later saw a large perch taken from the canal.

          Once underway "Tutta Bella" proceeded some 7 miles to the next lock interrupted only by several opening bridges.  We saw many walkers, joggers and bicyclists along the old mule path (now bike path) and most of them waved.  There are many handsome homes and farmer's fields along the way.

Arrival at lock No. 8.

Boats were traveling in both directions on the canal today.  The Lockmasters control the flow by grouping boats together and arranging for passing situations in wider sections of the waterway.

Traffic was also "heavy" because a beer festival being held in the Chambly parks in and around Fort Chambly.  Many people arrived by boat for this event.

Part of travel boat group.

Mosts locks had beautiful flowers.

All of the boats had an able bodied seaman on the foredeck.

Locks 8 through 1 are sort of a flight of locks all set up to bypass the rapids on the Richelieu River.

Fort Chambly and the beer tents.

Downstream of Chambly Canal we followed the Richelieu River North encountering mostly powerboats.

Approaching Mount St. Hilaire and the McMaster railroad Bridge.

Pretty church in Beloeil.

One of several cable car ferries crossing the Richelieu.

We stopped for the night at the St. Ours Lock.  It is located at the end of a hydroelectric dam in scenic surrounding including this old lockmaster's house.  We will proceed North to the St. Lawrence River and Trois- Rivieres tomorrow at 09:00.

Northern Boating Trip 2026 (aboard "Tutta Bella" the motor yacht). (First day of trip)

Friday 4 September 2026

Hillman family dock

South Hero, Vermont 

We, Charlie Hillman, Will Patten and Marc Gervais gathered in the early morning to depart on this long anticipated trip to Quebec City.  Will is in Charge of the food, Charlie is in charge of the boat, and Marc is in charge of navigation and French communications.

Departure at 08:33 under a hazy sky, calm seas, 70 degrees temperature and a light North wind.  

Off we go.

Our destination for today is Saint John, Quebec, Canada 45 miles away at the entrance to the Chambly Canal on the Richelieu River.

Approaching the Canadian Border crossing just North of Rouses Point, New York.  The process is simple.  We pull up to the Customs pier, tie up, everyone get off the boat with their documentation and answers any and all questions asked by the friendly Crossing Agents.  The Lady Agent starts asking me if I am Canadian and then speaks to me in French. I explain that I am traveling with my friends to visit Quebec City and that we will be staying at the "marina port Quebec" .  Charlie answers questions in English by the male agent about Tutta Bella and any declarations concerning goods being brought into Canada.  The agent is happy with the USCG Documentation and clear answers on any alcohol on board. 

Will says I am traveling with them.  We are cleared in about 5 minutes.

Arrival at the docks in Saint John  in front of a new drawbridge at 14:33.

After a walk up to the Canal Office at Lock No. 9 we discover that a low railroad bridge in the way will be opening soon and that we should tie up at its entry dock to be first in line for a 09:00 lockage in the morning.  We followed the Lock Tender's advice.

The high point of the day for me anyway.  We had a fine dinner at a Fish and Chips Restaurant called Capitaine Poufs.  There is a concert near our original docking space but we can still hear the music here at Lock No. 9.