Day 262 – 6/22/24

Starting location: Tied to floating dock on Richelieu River before locks 3-2-1 in Chambly, Quebec, Canada.

Weather: mid 60s am, high 70s pm, partly sunny

Ending location: Tied to floating dock just after lock at St.-Ours, Quebec, Canada.

Statute miles: 32

General summary: It turned out that all three Looper boats planned to move on to the same next spot as we were, so we went through the lock first as we could motor the fastest, with intent to relay the situation back to the rest of the group. These last three locks are stacked on top of each other, so you go in to one, await door closure and water level drop, motor forward about 20 feet into the next after the front door opens, then repeat to exit into Lake Chambly.

There were few speed limitations to the next lock, with the exception of no wake zones around marinas, stand-up-paddle board schools, and delicate structures, so we made fast time to the lock at St-Ours. There was available overnight moorage either before or ofter the lock so we decided to lock through so we could motor on early the next day. This lock was unusual because it contained a floating dock inside to which you fastened your own lines. Once through, we tied off for the night and communicated with the Looper group that there was plenty of space.

The small nearby town had few services, but there was a park above the lock wall with rentable structures for overnight use, adirondack chairs for resting, and picnic table for dining. We enjoyed docktales that evening in that park with the group.