The two routes you mentioned Ottawa River / Trent Severn could both be done on the same trip. The question for your whole trip is what do you want to accomplish. If it is speed take the Great Lakes to the Welland, then Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence then down the St. Lawrence to Montreal. Trips on the Trent Severn, the Western Erie to Oswego NY, the Rideau to Ottawa with the Ottawa River to Montreal are all some of the best cruising in the north east of the Mississippi. Each of these legs will increase travel time by days. If you have the time experience them all if you are doing a return trip. Marty Campanella Bay Pelican KK42