Wow. Jet boating with Saute-Moutons was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Montreal. I…read morehighly recommend it, but it's not for everyone. It's thrilling, it's exhilarating, and sometimes, it's even scary. This is like a roller coaster ride on the water. And you will get completely soaked, from head to toe, over and over.
If getting repeatedly hit and completely doused with large volumes of cold water is not your idea of fun, then do not go on this ride and stop reading now. However, if you're looking for a little excitement in your life and want something different to do, this definitely fits the bill.
If you're concerned about safety, our guide pointed out upfront that Saute-Moutons has not had a single fatality since opening for business in 1983.
What to expect is pretty simple:
1. You show up to the docks/Saute-Moutons 45 minutes prior to departure. You check in, sit through a tutorial, and review safety procedures.
2. You check your bags/belongings at a counter into a secure room. You change into clothes for the ride.
3. Clothes: Wear a swimsuit or anything you don't mind getting completely soaked. Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes, including footwear in case you decide to wear your own footwear on the boat. Saute-Moutons provides low-quality sandals with strapped-in heels that you can use, included with your ticket price.
The water is cold and you will be traveling at high speeds so you will get cold. Saute-Moutons provides sweaters (fleece pullovers). Don't be afraid to layer up. You then put a jumpsuit on. Then you put a poncho on. After that, it's the life vest. Even though you have all of these layers, make no mistake, every crevasse of your body will get wet.
Do not bring any loose objects with you onto the boat. You risk losing it. There are pouches on the back of each seat where you can store items such as waterproof cameras, but I don't recommend bringing much else. The water comes in at quite a force and it will easily knock off things like glasses/sunglasses and loose footwear. You might even considering bringing spare contacts because if you're not careful, the force of the water could knock the contacts off your eyeballs.
4. Once everyone is checked in, briefed, and dressed, they are loaded onto an aluminum boat. Ours had two 700 horsepower engines (1,400 horsepower total). Powerful. We made our way south down the St Lawrence River, around Nuns' Island, to the Lachine Rapids. Along the way, our guide narrated and gave us a river tour of Montreal.
5. The fun happens at the Lachine Rapids. Basically, the captain of the boat goes around in circles, in the rapids, trying to smash the front and sides of the boat into huge oncoming waves. You'll go up waves, down waves, and crash directly into them. The captain times a lot of the hits and most of them are huge, dramatic, and downright jolting. To get an idea of what I'm describing, just search YouTube for videos of Saute-Moutons. I must note the videos do not completely do what you actually feel in person justice. Sitting in the boat at rest, the water can get as high up as your belly/chest. The boat gets filled with water (it later drains out).
Prepare to get water from the St Lawrence River in pretty much every orifice of your body except for, probably, those in your nether regions, which should be protected by at least two or three layers. I sat on the far right side of the boat (starboard). The first wave the captain smashed into us struck the right side of the boat first. I can only describe it as a rude awakening. It was literally like a roomful of cold water crashed into me from above and from the side. Whoosh. I got a direct hit of water into my right ear. The first hit set the tone for the rest of the ride. People were laughing hysterically, including myself, at how crazy the whole situation was and what we had gotten ourselves into.
During the ride on the rapids, the guide (one of two Saute Moutons employees on board) continues to commentate. Our guide also took photos and videos of us with a GoPro. That media was available later on Saute Moutons' website. At one point, he handed us a shampoo bottle and had us pass it around. We literally washed our hair during the ride.
6. The ride lasted about an hour. We made our way back to the docks, all soaked, some cold. They have changing rooms so you can change into a new set of clothes. Consider bringing a large waterproof bag to put your wet swimsuit/clothes in.
Todd "the Legend" was our guide (I think that is what he wanted us to call him). He was hilarious. It appears he's been doing this for years and multiple times per day. I'm not sure where he gets his energy from and how he's able to be "on" all the time. Not only is he informative, but he's very friendly and entertaining. He's like a comedian.
Prices vary depending on season. We paid about $70 Canadian each after all was said and done. That included tax and tip. I thought it was worth it.