Le Boat, with 40 years’ experience supplying self-drive boats on the rivers of Europe, just launched its North American product in May with a variety of cruises on the 125-mile Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada.
Lisa McLean, marketing manager for Le Boat in Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, says 65 percent of its customers in Canada this year are from North America. According to McLean, 91 percent of Le Boat’s previous North American clients indicated an interest in sailing on their home continent.
A sizeable share of Le Boat’s travelers are Europeans. McClean says there are also some travelers from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, including some visiting North America for the first time.
Le Boat, which rents out a fleet of about 900 boats in eight European countries, has a network of almost 40 bases there for launching or returning the boats. For this year in Canada, though, boats are picked up and returned to Smiths Falls, Ontario — halfway between the two ends of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa and Kingston. Its accessible by plane and shuttle from Toronto and Ottawa, or by Via Rail.
Le Boats offers a 60-page Rideau guidebook that highlights details of interest along the historic canal, and recommends routes for fishing, wildlife watching, shopping, festivals and arts.
Some boats can accommodate up to 10 passengers.
Credit: 2018 Le Boat“These are all suggested itineraries,” McLean said. “If clients fall in love with first town they visit, they can stay there for the whole trip if they want to. And those who want to see as many places as possible can go beyond our recommended three hours of travel a day and stop in as many places as they wish.”
The trip from Smiths Falls to Ottawa is 44 miles; the one to Kingston at the other end is 53 miles. The company recommends a week for either, and a two-week cruise to explore the whole length of the canal. On a weeklong trip, the rates run from $1,542 to $5,744 for boats (not per person). Boats accommodate up to 10 people, depending on size and season. In September/October, fall colors usually attract visitors in high numbers.
There are 47 locks on the Rideau, which is not nearly as daunting as it may sound. Each one has two Parks Canada staffers to help at the lock station. The friendly parks personnel also provide advice on good restaurants and can call ahead and check on parking availability at the next port.
The water is clean; you can swim in it, do watersports and eat the fish you catch.
Parking and lock fees are included in the package, and McLean says groceries are not a problem.
“It’s only a short walk to groceries and alcohol from our base in Smiths Falls, or people can get a start with a one- or two-day preordered food and drinks package,” she said. “You can also arrange ahead to rent a kayak or bike and have it onboard. The water is clean; you can swim in it, do watersports and eat the fish you catch.”
According to McLean, the boats are easy to drive, and everyone gets a two-hour demonstration and trial run.
“There’s a big steering wheel, and stern and bow thrusters so you don’t have to reverse when sailing in or out of parking,” she said. “You just have to be 18 years old. There’s a 1-800 number for support around the clock, and we’re close by if anyone needs help.”
Fifty percent of this season’s customers are previous Le Boat clients, and the company expects to have crossover to the European product from guests trying them out on the Rideau.
The minimum commission for agents is 10 percent, and the company negotiates rates for group sales. Le Boat offers webinars, online promotional materials, brochures in three languages and other support.
Interested agents should get in touch with the sales department in Ontario via 800-734-5491 or [email protected].
The Details
Le Boat
www.leboat.com
