SMITH FALLS, ON – Le Boat’s 2018 Rideau Canal Cruises are officially open for the season following a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Kilmarnock Lock Station in Jasper, ON.

This marks the company’s first North American destination, which comes on the heels of the opening of Base Operations in Smiths Falls, ON. With over 40 years of experience, Le Boat is largely known for being Europe’s largest boat rental company, and with this new North American offering it’s now poised to become a global brand.

With its North American headquarters and base located in Smiths Falls, Le Boat boasts a fleet of 16 state-of-the-art Horizon cruisers, which are especially designed to meet Ontario Maritime and Le Boat customer requirements. Considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century, the Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously-operated canal system in North America.

“The Rideau Canal is a vacationer’s dream, offering the best of all of Le Boat’s European destinations in one place,” said Cheryl Brown, Managing Director of Le Boat. “It has the elegant beauty and charm of French waterways, the delightful lagoons of Italy, and the dramatic, scenic lakes and rivers of Ireland, Holland and Germany. Most of all, it is a mecca for lovers of nature, with every imaginable water sport such as fishing, paddle boating, canoeing, swimming as well as hiking, biking and birdwatching.”

Le Boat’s Premier Horizon cruisers offer large forward staterooms, a roomy top-deck area with BBQ, and can sleep from two up to 10 people on four different modules. All boats are fully equipped with a kitchen including a fridge, stove, microwave and TV/DVD player, while all cabins come with an en-suite bathroom, shower and towels.

No experience or boating licence is required. Le Boat Horizon is equipped with bow and stern thrusters for easy maneuvering into and out of locks, plus it has bumpers around the entire boat for added safety and a capped speed of 10 km/hr for the Rideau.

After opening the books in 2017, Rideau Canal rentals are currently 72% sold out, “but there is still some boats available for the 2018 cruising season,” said Brown.

For more information go to leboat.com or call 1-800-734-5491.