The Downeast Loop is an enchanting 2,400-mile circuit that traverses through the diverse coastal and inland waters of New England and the Maritime provinces of Canada. Nearly sixty percent of the route is in Canadian waters. This loop is renowned for combining historic charm with natural splendor, providing cruisers with a comprehensive exploration of the region’s rich local heritage and stunning landscapes.
The clockwise journey of the Downeast loop commonly begins in New York City and extends northward along the Hudson River. Some may opt to continue all the way up the Hudson, through Lake Champlain, and hop over to the St. Lawrence River at Sorel, Canada. However, the more common route involves branching off the Hudson at Waterford and heading west to Lake Ontario via the Oswego Canal and Erie Canal.
At the northeast shore of Lake Ontario is the Canadian city of Kingston where you can enter the St. Lawrence River and cruise down, through Montreal, to Sorel. At this point, you could take the Richelieu River south to Lake Champlain, returning to the Hudson and New York City to complete the 750-mile Triangle Loop.
To continue the Downeast Loop, you would instead continue down the St. Lawrence River from Sorel. The voyage continues around the Gaspé Peninsula in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, coming down the coastline of New Brunswick and past Prince Edward Island. You then travel through the Strait of Canso and circle around Nova Scotia, crossing the Bay of Fundy, and returning south along the New England coast back to New York City. Of course, variations and offshoots throughout the course of this loop are common and can add some extra adventures along the way. This route weaves through the U.S. and Canada, offering a unique blend of quaint maritime villages, bustling harbors, and pristine natural landscapes. Whether you’re a seasoned boater or new to cruising, the Downeast Loop promises an adventure you’ll never forget on your Fleming.
There also exists a common variant to the Downeast Loop and Triangle Loop that involves traversing the historic Rideau Canal instead of directly entering the St. Lawrence River at Kingston on Lake Ontario. The Rideau Canal is over 200 years old and connects Lake Ontario to the Ottawa River with 47 locks, most of which are still physically operated by manpower. After traveling from Kingston through the Rideau Canal to the Canadian capital of Ottawa, you would then take the connecting Ottawa River to Montreal and join the St. Lawrence River. From there you would just need to follow the St. Lawrence down to Sorel and either take the Richelieu River south to complete the brief “Triangle Loop” or continue down the St. Lawrence to resume the Downeast Loop.
“The Rideau Canal was a highlight of our journey. All the locks are hand-cranked, and the canal itself is a Canadian national park. My favorite stop was the historic Hotel Kenney at Jones Falls. The canal ends in Ottawa with a flight of eight locks lowering you to the Ottawa River. We spent several days exploring Ottawa before descending. Between Ottawa and Montreal, we visited the lovely resort and marina at Montebello, a must for its beauty, food, and atmosphere.”
– Gail and David Bernstein, Fleming 58-027 “Tonto’s Reward”
Choosing to cruise the St. Lawrence River out of Lake Ontario offers a distinct and scenic passage through the renowned Thousand Islands. This picturesque stretch features over 1,800 islands along the river that form the border between the United States and Canada. As you navigate the Thousand Islands, you’ll encounter unique landscapes, historic mansions, castles like Boldt Castle on Heart Island, and pleasurable cruising through crystal-clear fresh water.
A unique European-like city blending old-world architecture, a contemporary lifestyle, and a lively arts scene. It is filled with historic buildings, statues, and military forts dating back to the 1700s, including the iconic Château Frontenac and Montmorency Falls north of the city.
The beautiful countryside of Prince Edward Island happens to be Canadia’s smallest Province, but it certainly packs a punch. Known for their potato farming, fresh seafood, and legendary mussels – PEI is commonly referred to as “Canada’s Food Island”. Check out the cities of Summerside or the capital of Charlottetown as you traverse the Northumberland Strait.
“Make sure you eat mussels when in PEI.”
– Gail and David, Fleming 58-027 “Tonto’s Reward”
“St. Peter’s Marina in Bras d’Or Lake was a stop Tony Fleming made during his travels in NE Canada. It is a favorite summer vacation spot for boating Canadians and Americans who have discovered this secret jewel. We anchored in Corbett’s Cove for a couple of nights and like Tony Fleming, we stayed at St. Peter’s Marina.”
– Perry and Vicki, Fleming 55-053 “Blessed Again”
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia combines rich history with a lively and vibrant waterfront that features one of the world’s longest urban boardwalks. Try docking at The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, a full service marina that is more protected than the busy waterfront areas.
“Lunenburg is a quaint fishing village on the coast of Nova Scotia. They are known for their colorful architecture, maritime museum, Bluenose II Schooner, and friendly residents. We stayed on a mooring ball in Lunenburg Harbor and used the dinghy to motor to the city dinghy dock.
– Perry and Vicki, Fleming 55-053 “Blessed Again”
Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island is a haven of scenic beauty, with over 125 miles of trails and 45 miles of historic carriage roads. Experience the breathtaking sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. In 2021, Burr Yacht Sales hosted a three-day Rendezvous and scenic cruise here for 22 Flemings!
Fleming yachts are renowned for their superior seaworthiness and extended nautical range, which make them ideal for the varying conditions and longer stretches of the Downeast Loop. Whether navigating the calm waters of the Hudson or facing the more challenging seas around Nova Scotia, a Fleming ensures a smooth, safe ride thanks to its well-engineered hull and advanced stabilization systems. With a 5’ draft and hinged masts to reduce air draft when necessary – most Fleming yachts can handle the various locks and bridges found along the Downeast Loop and we have had 55, 58, and 65 owners complete the trip with their Fleming.
Acadia National Park stands out as a BYS favorite of the Downeast Loop. In 2021, Burr Yacht Sales hosted a three-day Rendezvous and scenic cruise for 22 Flemings!
“Room to safely move around! We never felt cramped in our Fleming 55. Other boaters came on board and immediately commented about the expansiveness of our Fleming. The ample storage allowed us to carry things on board like gallons of oil and spare parts. Our fuel capacity and extended range were distinct advantages of our Fleming 55. It’s a journey, not a race. Make sure to spend time speaking with Fleming owners who have taken this trip!” – Perry and Vicki: Fleming 55-053 “Blessed Again”
“The boat is sound and can handle bigger seas than we would like to. We traveled slow and had very low fuel consumption. The Fleming’s great galley was a joy for my wife to work in and provided wonderful fare for all on board. Being able to call AJ, Pat, Michael and many others at Burr yacht Sales made the trip smooth.” – Gail and David, Fleming 58-027 “Tonto’s Reward”
“My number one tip for cruising these days is Starlink. It replaces numerous systems on the boat such as KVH/DirectTV, Sirius Weather and XM radio. You will always have internet and it truly is a game changer! We removed the KVH domes to lighten the weight of the mast once we integrated Starlink. You will be lowering and raising the mast during this journey, so always make a stop at Burr on your way north and Michael Schoelkopf and the team will see that you are trained and have the skills and tools to feel comfortable and confident.”- Preston and Nina, Fleming 58-008 “45° North”
“As you travel north, you’ll sense that your Fleming is growing larger, especially in the smaller village marinas. Have faith, Tony Fleming and his Fleming 65, Venture made the trip without any significant marina or anchoring issues. – Perry and Vicki, Fleming 55-053 “Blessed Again”
“Prepare for 30A power and splitters in much of Canada. Ensure your generator is in good condition and have oil for changes, as you’ll use it often. Bring plenty of fenders for the locks. Be ready to raft up with others. If you don’t speak French, use a translator app. A French-Canadian friend greatly helped us with marina reservations and updates.” – Gail and David, Fleming 58-027 “Tonto’s Reward”
Mast and clearance adjustments are needed for certain areas of the Downeast Loop, specifically the Erie and Oswego Canal systems. Most Flemings are outfitted with a custom mast that is easily hinged down by unscrewing 6 bolts and gently lowering the mast onto a cylinder fender. We provide training and refreshers on this operation to ensure you are comfortable.
Extra fenders and lines are a must when traversing through the locks.
“Get some big old fenders that you don’t mind beating up and set of good, heavy duty gloves for handling the locks and lines in the Canals. The locks are not the place for your pretty, new custom covered fenders.”
– Robin and Bernadette, Fleming 55-156 “Blessed”
Wireless headsets can be a vital piece of gear for longer trips. Especially for trips like this with various locks to navigate, along with new docking and anchoring situations.
Ensure you have charts for Canadian waters, and of course have physical charts as backups are never a bad idea.
Pack enough food and supplies for parts of the trip with limited access to grocery stores. Poultry in particular is not readily available in Canada and expensive when you do find it.
Did you know BYS offers spare parts kits and a complete Fleming Tool Bag stocked with all commonly needed tools for your Fleming? Contact us for further information.
We love to feature videos and photos from our Fleming owner’s adventures.
