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St Lawrence-Lake Champlain-Erie Canal

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2005 : 09:00:11

I am trying to plan a trip that would take us down the St Lawrence to Chambly, up the Richelieu River to Lake Champlain, up the Champlain canal to the Erie canal, along through the finger Lakes to the Oswego canal, to Lake Ontario and home.

Has anyone done this trip or know of a source of such information? I am trying to plan for time requirements, minimum number of mast dips and maximum enjoyment.

Derek Thain 78 TR FK "PASSAGES"

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 20:20:31

I don't know any sources of info although I'm sure the NY State tourism department would have info on the Erie & Oswego canals since they're really working to promote boating on the Erie canal. I'm originally from around Rochester & Syracuse (NY) so I do know that once you hit the canals you will want to keep your mast down until you're back on the lakes as there are many, many bridges over the Erie canal.

It's a trip I'd love to do. Please do keep us informed about what you find out & share your trip with us.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 22:06:19

Sounds like an interesting trip. Here are some resources:
www.canals.state.ny.us and www.nycanal.com
800-4canals4 and 585-234-7708

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 22:44:34

I bought a copy of Richardsons Hudson River Chartbook and it shows everything but the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River to Cornwall, which is in another book. Looks like about 600 miles, 43 locks, and about half of it sailing, with most of it running or reaching.

Probably leaving last week of July. That should keep me away from house renovation for a while. Will check the links and report back.

Thanks for responces.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 07/04/2005 : 22:55:59

If you plan to visit the western end of Lake Ontario during the last week of July you can witness some of the greatest inland racing, the LYRA regatta.

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John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2005 : 06:59:20

I have a friend that is taking part of that route, although he going from Seneca, to the canals, to Ontario, up to St. Lawrence, then back down through Champlain, etc. I can ask if he can provide a source.

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John P
Captain

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USA
324 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2005 : 13:59:04

Here is a good link for part of the canadian portion.

http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/

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jm
Captain

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Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 14:52:13

If your start point is from Prescott, the Rideau Canal won't come into play. Unless you're planning on going to Sorel via Ottawa and the Ottawa River. If so, say hi to Mr. Martin for me.

p.s. Derek, I PM'd you..

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2005 : 21:30:33

John P

If your friend is going to pass by Prescott before July 23 give me an email. I live three blocks from the river, and four from the marina.

Would like to see him.

Derek

Edited by - on

roberoo
Navigator

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USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2005 : 21:23:04

Derek,

I am in Buffalo. Alot of the Canal Travelers actually use either Erie Basin Marina or RCR Marina to stay over nioght before they continue on. If you are here abouts drop me a line.

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2005 : 23:06:50

Bob & Hope

Thanks for the kind offer, but I expect we'll be turning north at the Oswego canal. That sure is one mad Genny you have.

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2005 : 13:46:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by thaind
 Bob & Hope

Thanks for the kind offer, but I expect we'll be turning north at the Oswego canal. That sure is one mad Genny you have.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You're going to miss some beautiful country in western NY. Good luck with your trip.

Edited by - on

cvwall
1st Mate

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USA
56 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2005 : 08:26:21

Try also the latest edition of "A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast" It includes good coverage of the Hudson River and the canals.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2005 : 20:20:59

Locks 2-6 on the Erie Canal were closed yesterday because of a crack found on Lock 5's structural cement. Boats are being held in Waterford which isn't a bad deal if its short duration. Will advise when this portion of the canal reopens. You should also monitor water flow on the Mohawk River which is really the Erie canal. Tremendous amounts of rain the last two weeks here in the upstate N.Y. area.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 17:30:08

Interesting thread! Especially considering a question asked about boating to the 2006 Nationals from Lakw Winapauaske (sp) in NH. It would be interesting to have a group come together along the way, and motor the canal to Buffalo and then re mast and sail to Cleveland. Not only a National Championship but a a rondevous (sp) to top all rondevous'.

I wonder how long it would take to go from say Albany to Buffalo?

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 18:08:51

Actually, where I to do this, I'd be sailing down from Casco Bay Maine which is where I hope to be keeping my boat next year, if not actually the end of this season. That means sailing down the north east coast past Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Conneticut and then up the Hudson to the Eire Canal/Mohawk river. I would then have to come back or have my boat trucked. The trip has serious appeal to me, but I'm not sure I would be able to get the time off. I'd probaly have to quit my job as I'm estimating the whole trip would take 2 if not 3 months. What a blast it would be!

Edited by - on

thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2005 : 22:30:23

The New York canal system authority claim that Albany to Lake Erie takes about five days. This is probably for boats of greater speed potential than ours. I would love to be part of a convoy to next years Nationals (maybe we should start calling them Internationals since they will be happening in a border area) but our school year makes vacations in June impossible.

Edited by - thaind on 07/18/2005 07:58:12

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:26:16

Derek, The canal system in Waterford re-opened yesterday. Also, my
previous trips on the Mohawk/Erie Canal system with a powerboat taught me the fastest boat going in-between locks may have to wait for slower boats to catch up. Some of these locks especially in eastern N.Y. are only 5-7 miles apart. Also boats coming from the other direction have to be dealt with also when approaching the locks. So 5 days may not be so unreasonable, it may be an average
but don't think the guy with the 100ft mega-cruiser is going to get through any faster than a 5mph sailboat. It's really the lockmasters
decision and they do talk to one another about traffic and what is headed there way.

Edited by - on

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:51:42

I wonder how long it would take to go from say Albany to Buffalo?

"and we know every inch of the way...."

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 11:00:53

According to Derek (Thainad) above, NY Canal Authority says five days. Wild guessing its 300 miles, and assuming we could maintain 5 mph, average speed, suggests its 60 hours travel time.

Does that sound reasonable?

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2005 : 16:18:52

Well I'm still a little groggy, having just returned from a N.Y. to Ca. motorhome excursion,and not sure I'm up to another trip but I'll keep this convoy at the top of the page of things to do next season. Sounds like an interesting project, especially since it will involve a group endevour

Val on Calista # 3936

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2005 : 09:39:11

A little bit longer trip for you (if you do it by boat), but certainly a doable trip. I've done Huntington to Nyack that's easy, guess you'd go outside to NY harbor and around the Battery to get to the Hudson?

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2005 : 16:18:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by roberoo
 Derek,

I am in Buffalo. Alot of the Canal Travelers actually use either Erie Basin Marina or RCR Marina to stay over nioght before they continue on. If you are here abouts drop me a line.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If you might think about rerouting your trip to make it to nationals in Cleveland???

Bob - I'm hoping you'll be sailing on down for that?

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roberoo
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USA
182 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2005 : 10:21:07

Hi Duane,

Yep I will sail on down and participate. Is there a way I can sail on down earlier and slip the boat and then drive down for the weekend? Fin Keel and no trailer.

I am going to post this also in the thread you started also.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 07/25/2005 : 09:41:55

The quick answer is yes bob. Take a look at the other post for more details

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thaind
Navigator

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Canada
145 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2005 : 20:19:36

Just got back. 16 days of great travel, one of rest, one of HELL on Lake Ontario.

Will post more later.

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