Renting Canoes in the Ottawa area

As the subject says, I am looking to rent a canoe in the Ottawa area. I would like to be able to rent one for some weekend paddling, which will most likely be just flatwater.

Are there any places where I might be able to do this for a reasonable charge? Anybody used such a service, if so what was your experience?

Thanks in advance

Alex,

I haven't rented canoes from them (just kayaks) but Trailhead on Scott St. rents both canoes and kayaks - here is the link:
http://www.trailheadcnd.com/OTTAWA/ssrent.htm

Whenever I (or friends) have rented from them, they have always been very knowledgeable and helpful.

Nigel - just to set the record straight - It was Alex asking about the rentals, not myself. I already own a sea kayak.

I have looked at the Y canoe club web page though - the Maps and Routes page (http://www.flora.org/oyccc/trip-routes.html) s very interesting and I will likely try a couple of the routes on the Gatineau that are described there. I usually do my paddling on the Ottawa between Brittania and Fitzroy and also on various parts of the Rideau.

Cheers,

The day after I posted this question what did I receive with the Citizen that morning but a Trailhead flyer. It's good to hear of people's experience with them.
http://www.trailheadcnd.com/SummerRentals.htm seems like a more up to date page, but thank you for the right direction. Their prices look reasonable. How are they for returning the canoe with a minor ding or scratch? (ie. rubbing against rocks or such, nothing critical to hull integrity, what I would call normal wear and tear)

Alex

Normal bumps and scrapes are included in the rental price; tears and breaks, that's another matter!

I have a question from this web page which is more of a 'curious' question than anything. What follows is some information of a particular trip and my 'curious' question relates to the date of the information, some 20 years ago. Is the date accurate and, if so, has the information changed in the last 20 years? TIA

Trip Destination: Crotch Lake General Area: Ontario - Silver Lake Topographic Map Numbers: 31C/15 Type of trip: Flatwater Time needed for trip: 1-2 day(s) Difficulty of trip: (X) Leisurely (X) Average ( ) Demanding Best time for trip: June/July Distance from Ottawa to Start: 55 Mi (90 km) Distance traveled by Canoe: 10 Mi (16 km)

How to get to start and finish of trip (Car access): Hwy 7 - pass Silver lake. Take Hwy 509 north. Take dirt road west (10 miles) to dam at Gull Lake (there is a store and parking for a fee). Start at ? Direction North west.

Canoe Route: own choice

Comments on Portages: lining canoes and portage at Gull Creek till come out on lake

Comments on Rapids: N/A

Comments on Campsites (Limitations, General Location) Plentiful, several located about area of lake near Gull Creek.

Source: Petrasovits, May 1980

Yes, the date is accurate.

Yes, the information probably has changed in the past 20 years (for example, you now have to pay to camp on Crotch Lake).

All route information on the Club's website is published 'as is', and no claims are made for current accuracy.

Nigel Ward, member, Y Canoe Club.

I've heard some good things from friends about Crotch Lake. It sounds like a great outing...

Maybe some members of this newsgroup could offer to update the info if they do the trip....

btw, another good bit of paddling info can be found at www.paddle1000.com if the 1000 Islands sounds like a possibility for another expedition...