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Portage By-Pass Sites

Boat lift - Ottawa river water way

The Ottawa River offers an efficient by-pass system to circumvent obstacles to navigation, such as rapids and dams. The system consists of state-of-the-art hydraulic trailers and trucks that lift your vessel onto a platform and transport it safely by road to the launching site on the other side of the obstacle. The traveling time varies from 20 to 50 minutes.

How to make a lift reservation

You can book a reservation online or by calling 1-866-224-5244. Reservations must be planned 24 hours in advance. We will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your reservation and confirm time of pick-up.

Types of crafts accommodated

The by-pass system can handle many types of recreational crafts:

  • Cruisers up to 30 – 32 feet in length
  • Pontoon boats up to 28 feet
  • Fishing boats, PWC
  • Sailboats with retractable masts and keels 
  • Weight not to exceed 12,000 lbs
  • Boats exceeding 8 feet 6 inches (2.60 meters) in width require a special transportation permit billed to the client.

Unfortunately, due to clearance and trailer design, houseboats or sailboats not equipped with retractable keels and quick-stepping masts cannot be accommodated.

By-Pass Sites

Following is a list of the by-pass sites:

  • Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario – By-pass
  • Lavergne Bay
  • Portage-du-Fort and Bryson, Quebec 
  • Chichester and Desjardinsville, Quebec 
  • Rapides-des-Joachims, Swisha, Quebec 
  • Mattawa – Ontario

All by-pass sites have modern docks, concrete ramps and select sites have additional amenities available to make over-night stays at the docks more convenient.