Boating through the Seven-mile Rapids
and other tips.
The seven-mile rapids is called by that name because there used
to be a winter logging road in the early 1900s. It was seven miles
from Chapleau to that point. Timber was brought out with horses and
sleighs. Now there are no roads along the Chapleau River.
The rapids are only a short piece of swift water, but quite
narrow. It is best to keep the motor running at a moderate
speed.
Just remember what Humphrey Bogart said to Katharine Hepburn in
"The African Queen". He said "you've got to move faster
than the water, otherwise you can't steer".
Many years ago, we dynamited some rocks out of the last 100
yards above the rapids. If you follow the instructions below, you
will have no trouble. At worst, you might bend a prop or bump the
shore.
Going down-stream:
- Do not attempt to go through if you see a boat approaching from below. When you have made the final turn (the river bends to the
right), you will be about 100 yards from the rapids. Leave the
motor in forward and slow down to a slow
troll.
- Stay in the middle of the channel and do not attempt to go through if you see a boat approaching from below.
- When you are about to go through the fast water, speed up the
motor enough so that you can steer the boat through the narrow
stretch.
Please remember though that there are some rocks about 300 yards
below the rapids. The rocks are in the middle of the straight
stretch that has the high hill on the right. Your best bet is to
stay hard right when you are alongside the rocky hill. Once the
river widens, you are okay for a while.
Coming back up-stream:
This is easy, but do not attempt it if there is another boat approaching from above. Use as much power as you need to make good headway
against the fast current and be quick with the tiller, to keep the
boat in the middle. Once you are through the fast water, slow down
to a troll and remain slow for 100 yards above the rapids. That way
you can't do much damage in case you graze a rock.
Other rocks:
You should always stay in the middle when you travel through
narrow channels at speed. There are always likely to be rocks close
to shore, even in places that we consider clear.
Below the seven-mile rapids, one of the worst rocks is the one
to the north-west of the little island. I mean the island that is
marked in about the centre of our map. That rock is just under
water most of the time.
Watch out in the part of Henderson Lake, to the east of the two
big islands. The map shows that also. That entire side should be
viewed with suspicion. Remember, you can't do much damage when you
are moving slowly.
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