In all of North America, there is only one marine railway.   There were others, but the one at Big Chute is the only one in operation today, and if you have never taken your boat through, it’s a fun ride.  Big Chute has operated on the Severn Canal for more than 90 years, about 10 miles upstream from Georgian Bay.  The ride is simple.  You get your boat into the slings and bunks on the rail carriage and it takes you up and over the rocks and into clear water beyond.  The lift is a little less than 60 feet and the ride is about 600 feet in all.  Your boat stays level as you go up or down the incline but it wasn’t always that way. 

            I can remember going through the system in my father’s 45 foot Admiral’s Barge and the boat would be on quite a steep angle.  The ride was quite shaky, too, wobbling side to side and up and down.  Sometimes a cupboard or the refrigerator would fly open and dishes or food (usually milk or eggs, of course) would spill out and roll toward the bow or stern.  Water in the bilge sometimes made things interesting, too.  She was a wooden boat, so we usually had some water in the bilge.  Going down hill, it’d all flow up to the bow and soak the carpet.  We’d also have to remember to start the engine (yes, she was a single) and clear the water out of the exhaust system or it’d back up into the engine.  These days, the new railway is a lot easier.  Your boat stays level and the ride is a lot smoother.

            When you approach from Georgian Bay, the narrows just before the marine railroad need your full attention.  In this no wake zone there’s a current running three to four knots depending on the time of year.  It’s so narrow there’s no room for passing, especially in a big boat.  At the helm of big boats, skippers should look ahead before making the run through the narrows and let the downstream boats through first.  You may have to step up the RPM a little for to give you steerageway against the current.  At the upstream end, there’s an abrupt jog to starboard, then port and you’re in the basin below the marine railroad. 

            The blue line is to starboard and there are docks to port and sometimes all the spaces are full, so boats sort of mill around in the basin, trying not to hit each other.  While you’re waiting, bring all your lines and fenders in board.  You won’t need them.  You don’t have to worry about staying in line.  The attendants are experienced and they keep good track of who’s next.  And sometimes they have to rearrange the order a little when they are loading the carriage to make most efficient use of the space.  So if a couple of boats behind you get called in first, don’t worry.  You’ll get your turn.

            If it’s breezy – it often is – remember your angle of approach.  Always approach from downwind, at about a 60-degree angle.  You have more control.  If you try to go in a straight line, the crosswind will blow you out of line and you’ll have to start over.  Take it slow, with short burst on the port or starboard side to keep you in line as you approach the sling.   Just as your bow gets to the sling, turn the boat straight and the momentum will carry you up against the wind and straight into the carriage.  Follow the attendants’ instructions.  They know their stuff because they do this day in day out.  They’ll call you “skip” and tell you to move the boat up or down until they catch you with the slings.  Once you’re secure, stop engines and wait.  Without warning you’ll start to slowly move up the hill.  It always takes you by surprise.  You’ll feel your boat lift out of the water and off you go.  It’s quite a sensation and at the top you get a wonderful view back toward Georgian Bay.  At the top, there’s a slight delay for the “push-pull” system to change directions, then you’re back in the water.  Start your engines when they tell you and don’t put it in gear until they tell you or you might foul your props.

            It’s a great experience… I recommend it… and take lots of pictures.  It’s a ride you and your family won’t forget.