09/10/05 - Erie Canal
- Thread starter El and Bill
- Start date
The Fran Sea
New member
Just got my Erie Canal Cruise Guide ($25.95) from the NYS Canal Corp. P.O. Box 189, Albany, NY 12201. I called 518-436-2799 and ordered it over the phone, got it within 1 week.
Boy, am I excited!!!!! This looks like it could be a really great cruise. I strongly recommend that we start on the western end at Buffalo. More towns to overnite at and less locks. If you're planning on making this cruise, I recommend getting the guide. :smile
Boy, am I excited!!!!! This looks like it could be a really great cruise. I strongly recommend that we start on the western end at Buffalo. More towns to overnite at and less locks. If you're planning on making this cruise, I recommend getting the guide. :smile
Hi El Bill,
This is our first post as almost C-Dory owners. We just sold our Rosborough RF-246 yesterday and are going to purchase a 22'C-Dory for easy trailering behind our small motor home.
We love the Erie Canal and have been there probably 8 or 9 trips, but we have not purchased the dory yet.
Cutter in Md has one in stock so if we can get together on price it may be ours. Still too early to say we can make a July trip but we would sure love to meet you.
Will keep you advised
Fred and Pat Messerly Red Lion, Pa.
This is our first post as almost C-Dory owners. We just sold our Rosborough RF-246 yesterday and are going to purchase a 22'C-Dory for easy trailering behind our small motor home.
We love the Erie Canal and have been there probably 8 or 9 trips, but we have not purchased the dory yet.
Cutter in Md has one in stock so if we can get together on price it may be ours. Still too early to say we can make a July trip but we would sure love to meet you.
Will keep you advised
Fred and Pat Messerly Red Lion, Pa.
El and Bill
New member
Fred and Pat --
Welcome to the pub!! Your first, but for surely, not your last posting to this crew. Will you be at the Gathering on Chesapeake Bay the first weekend of June?? Lots of info on this site about the Gathering, and it would be a great place to come and see a bunch of C-Dorys and have lots of opportunities to talk and campare boat ideas. you don't need a boat to come to the Gathering -- just sign up and come on over.
The current plans, being organized by Rick of Maine for the NEngland C-Dory folks, puts the group on the canal in September.
El and I currently have no plans for any specific cruising after the Chesapeake -- rpbably head up to the canals in Canada or the north Shore of Huron.
Oh, and there was a question earlier about porta pottys in Canada and what their regulations require. Don't know. maybe someone else can chime in on that.
hope you folks will be at Chesapeake Gathering and hopefully up on the erie for another canal cruise. Looking forward to meeting you.
Welcome to the pub!! Your first, but for surely, not your last posting to this crew. Will you be at the Gathering on Chesapeake Bay the first weekend of June?? Lots of info on this site about the Gathering, and it would be a great place to come and see a bunch of C-Dorys and have lots of opportunities to talk and campare boat ideas. you don't need a boat to come to the Gathering -- just sign up and come on over.
The current plans, being organized by Rick of Maine for the NEngland C-Dory folks, puts the group on the canal in September.
El and I currently have no plans for any specific cruising after the Chesapeake -- rpbably head up to the canals in Canada or the north Shore of Huron.
Oh, and there was a question earlier about porta pottys in Canada and what their regulations require. Don't know. maybe someone else can chime in on that.
hope you folks will be at Chesapeake Gathering and hopefully up on the erie for another canal cruise. Looking forward to meeting you.
The Fran Sea
New member
On this site http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/pubs/ ... htm#Sewage
it says porta potties can be used in Canada EXCEPT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ONTARIO. Don't know what you use there, perhaps a bucket??? :roll:
it says porta potties can be used in Canada EXCEPT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ONTARIO. Don't know what you use there, perhaps a bucket??? :roll:
Rick from Maine
New member
I agree that the western end offers more facilities for docking, dining, and overnighting. And, I'd prefer to start at the western end (there's a county launch ramp in Tonawanda where we can leave our trailers). There are several options after the first 3 - 4 days cruising. One thing you need to consider on the far western end is the lift bridges. There are about 13 of them. And, since they are manned by one person for a pair of bridges, you can plan on at least an average of 1/2 hr delay per pair. So, that first 60 miles takes about 10 hours. CT Yankee will be asking opinions at the mega MD gathering this June, and we can decide on our starting point then.
Rick from Maine
Rick from Maine
Hi All,
There were several discussions at the Chesapeake gathering about the Erie Canal cruise. El and Bill and perhaps George and Penny are headed for the Finger lakes soon and will scout out possible launch/parking/camping sites there. The Western end of the Canal seems to be the preferred end, but whether to start in Buffalo or at the Finger lakes is up for grabs. It makes no difference to me, but if people want to continue to travel east or north after the gathering, perhaps the Buffalo (Tonowanda) launch would be better.
I think we may have rounded up a few more boats, but I can't remember exactly who said they were interested. We'll have to see who signs up.
The week of September 12th, or perhaps starting on saturday the 10th seems ok for everybody, but there was some thought of perhaps moving it back to October to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and the Fall foliage. Any interest there?
It looks like it will be a great week, and we're looking forward to seeing our friends again, and meeting new folks as well.
Dun (CTYankee)
There were several discussions at the Chesapeake gathering about the Erie Canal cruise. El and Bill and perhaps George and Penny are headed for the Finger lakes soon and will scout out possible launch/parking/camping sites there. The Western end of the Canal seems to be the preferred end, but whether to start in Buffalo or at the Finger lakes is up for grabs. It makes no difference to me, but if people want to continue to travel east or north after the gathering, perhaps the Buffalo (Tonowanda) launch would be better.
I think we may have rounded up a few more boats, but I can't remember exactly who said they were interested. We'll have to see who signs up.
The week of September 12th, or perhaps starting on saturday the 10th seems ok for everybody, but there was some thought of perhaps moving it back to October to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and the Fall foliage. Any interest there?
It looks like it will be a great week, and we're looking forward to seeing our friends again, and meeting new folks as well.
Dun (CTYankee)
CTYankee":kaxkmk38 said:
Sure thing! It is in place now, and the cruise has been added to the Upcoming Events list.
Let us know the firm dates and any other info you might want to include in the opening message of the discussion and we will edit things to fit.
This sounds like fun. Among the few things I remember learning about way back in grade school is the Erie Canal. I don't remember what I learned, but I think there was a test on it.
El and Bill
New member
How about:
"Low Bridge, Everybody Down
Low Bridge, 'Cause We're Coming to a Town" ?
"Low Bridge, Everybody Down
Low Bridge, 'Cause We're Coming to a Town" ?
El and Bill
New member
How about:
"Low Bridge, Everybody Down
Low Bridge, 'Cause We're Coming to a Town" ?
"Low Bridge, Everybody Down
Low Bridge, 'Cause We're Coming to a Town" ?
Hi El and Bill,
Pat and I just got a firm delivery date on our 22-Cutter says 29 June. We will do a shake down on the upper bay around the 4th of July. Then outfit and try for the Erie Canal in mid to end July.
We plan to put in at Geneva,NY Seneca State Park and probably head east and then go north to Oswego for a few days. Time permitting we will then return and go west as far as Fairport one of our favorite stops.
Hope to see you sometime soon. Fred and Pat Red Lion, Pa.
Pat and I just got a firm delivery date on our 22-Cutter says 29 June. We will do a shake down on the upper bay around the 4th of July. Then outfit and try for the Erie Canal in mid to end July.
We plan to put in at Geneva,NY Seneca State Park and probably head east and then go north to Oswego for a few days. Time permitting we will then return and go west as far as Fairport one of our favorite stops.
Hope to see you sometime soon. Fred and Pat Red Lion, Pa.
Hi Folks,
You can count me in. I have already purchased charts, cruising guides, and sniffing on the internet for info. As I said on the other site, starting in the middle, to me, makes more sense. Starting on the Western end, means we have to go back to the Western end to pull our boats. If we start in the middle, we can go east, west, north, or south, or all. We will be relatively near our launching site when we finish. Seeing the fee is $25.00 for ten days, I am going to go for ,close to, ten days. I have promised Sheila, if she comes, that she can stay ashore at night.
September is best for our boats because the traffic should be a lot less.
I have a feeling that we will get a lot of boats at this one. I hope so.
Fred Heap
You can count me in. I have already purchased charts, cruising guides, and sniffing on the internet for info. As I said on the other site, starting in the middle, to me, makes more sense. Starting on the Western end, means we have to go back to the Western end to pull our boats. If we start in the middle, we can go east, west, north, or south, or all. We will be relatively near our launching site when we finish. Seeing the fee is $25.00 for ten days, I am going to go for ,close to, ten days. I have promised Sheila, if she comes, that she can stay ashore at night.
September is best for our boats because the traffic should be a lot less.
I have a feeling that we will get a lot of boats at this one. I hope so.
Fred Heap
The Fran Sea
New member
This could get confusing as there's already a sign up sheet on the C-Dog site. As I replied on that site, Sept 10 or 12 is good for us and starting at the Western end and ending up in the Finger Lakes works for us. But as to October, I think it would be too cold for me...... they sometimes have snow up ther in October and also, the Canal closes around that time.
One event in that neck of the woods is the annual Tug Boat Roundup in Waterford NY, which is at the confluence of the Hudson River and the Erie and Champlain Canals. It is usually the first weekend after labor day, but their website has it as "to be announced". http://www.tugboatroundup.com/ It's a townwide celebration of the canals and tugboats, with tours of commercial and privately owned tugs. I'm sure I'm not alone as being a fan of tugs, every boy's fantasy boat.
There are free ty-ups for early birds, and a free ramp and parking for several rigs. Just 2 or 3 miles North of Waterford, at lock 1 on the Champlain, is another good ramp and parking, and another couple miles to Mechanicville, a good town wall with free power and water.
I can enthusiastically recomend any of the canal system to anyone who hasn't been there. The canals are beautifully maintained,(they spend $60 mil a year to maintain, and take in $2 mil a year in fees, the rest comes from the Thruway Authority), wonderfully under-utilized, and very inexpensive. Most of the canal-side towns are economically depressed, so you just need to bring your own entertainment.
We cruised the area on a pontoon boat on a cruise in 2001, just days before the world changed. Coming home from a great vacation on the morning that the twin towers fell made for quite a mood change.
There are free ty-ups for early birds, and a free ramp and parking for several rigs. Just 2 or 3 miles North of Waterford, at lock 1 on the Champlain, is another good ramp and parking, and another couple miles to Mechanicville, a good town wall with free power and water.
I can enthusiastically recomend any of the canal system to anyone who hasn't been there. The canals are beautifully maintained,(they spend $60 mil a year to maintain, and take in $2 mil a year in fees, the rest comes from the Thruway Authority), wonderfully under-utilized, and very inexpensive. Most of the canal-side towns are economically depressed, so you just need to bring your own entertainment.
We cruised the area on a pontoon boat on a cruise in 2001, just days before the world changed. Coming home from a great vacation on the morning that the twin towers fell made for quite a mood change.
El and Bill
New member
Looks like we will be heading northerly to the Erie Canal in the next two weeks. We will do a scouting trip for the Fall Gathering, and hope to have a slow and easy, relaxing chug along the canal.
We now plan to launch into the Finger Lakes, look them over, and then cruise the Erie. Anyone on the Canal now or in the next few weeks?
We now plan to launch into the Finger Lakes, look them over, and then cruise the Erie. Anyone on the Canal now or in the next few weeks?
Penny and I plan to head for Seneca Lake State Park early tomorrow morning. (25 June 05). We expect to meet El and Bill (Halcyon) there. The plan is to cruise Senaca and Cayuga Lakes and the Erie Canal. Perhaps Wanderer will venture on into Lake Champlain and maybe up into Canada.
We expect to check email and this site. If you plan to be up that way in the next month, let us know. We'll be there unless it is too hot, too crowded or too many locks??
Hopefully, we'll be able to post a few pictures from time to time at
http://www.2Wander.com.
We expect to check email and this site. If you plan to be up that way in the next month, let us know. We'll be there unless it is too hot, too crowded or too many locks??
Hopefully, we'll be able to post a few pictures from time to time at
http://www.2Wander.com.
Hi all,
Rick and I have been talking and it looks like September 10th thru the 17th works best for most people. Rick said the canal towns close up later in the season, and we might not have full access to facilities if we go in October.
We're still up in the air about whether to start in Tonawanda (West) or the Finger Lakes area. El and Bill and George and Penny are there now so they may want to check in and give us a scouting report. Some folks may not be able to spend much time with us, so my thought was to start in the west, and take 4 days to get to the Seneca-Cayuga canal, and then if some have to leave they can, while others explore the Finger Lakes or continue East or North if they have more time. Let me know.
El and Bill, if you're out there somewhere, Rick and I are planning to get together on Moosehead Lake, Maine on Aug 14th through the 17th. I'll start a new thread for that. Join us if you can.
The Erie Canal gathering is getting closer. If anyone hasn't signed up yet, please do so soon.
Dun (CTYankee)
Rick and I have been talking and it looks like September 10th thru the 17th works best for most people. Rick said the canal towns close up later in the season, and we might not have full access to facilities if we go in October.
We're still up in the air about whether to start in Tonawanda (West) or the Finger Lakes area. El and Bill and George and Penny are there now so they may want to check in and give us a scouting report. Some folks may not be able to spend much time with us, so my thought was to start in the west, and take 4 days to get to the Seneca-Cayuga canal, and then if some have to leave they can, while others explore the Finger Lakes or continue East or North if they have more time. Let me know.
El and Bill, if you're out there somewhere, Rick and I are planning to get together on Moosehead Lake, Maine on Aug 14th through the 17th. I'll start a new thread for that. Join us if you can.
The Erie Canal gathering is getting closer. If anyone hasn't signed up yet, please do so soon.
Dun (CTYankee)
El and Bill
New member
Wanderer and Halcyon have split tacks at the north end of the Seneca/Cayuga canal. We spent last night at lock 25 in a couple of thunderstorms. This am, George and Penny decided to cruise to the east on the Erie with the possibility of continuing up the Champlain Canal to the Lake. El and Bill headed westerly toward Buffalo, since we won't have as long a time as Wanderer (we need to be in the Tetons in three weeks).
The Finger Lakes looked long, hot, and humid when we peeked down both Seneca and Cayuga -- swam in Seneca for a few hours to cool off. Decided not to cruise the lakes now in summer heat, and headed north on the Sen/Cay canal to the Erie.
We tied off two nights ago at Seneca Falls -- interesting town, home of women's suffrage. Good deli, interesting museums, town dock.
Last night, anchored at lock 25 and tonight in Newark, NY at the Canalport -- free dock, with power, showers, and laundry on the premises. Nice folks. A little noisy near the bridge. The countryside between the end of the Seneca/Cayuga canal and here is marvelous -- wild and full of birds. Only saw two boats all day today. Pretty cruising.
The Finger Lakes looked long, hot, and humid when we peeked down both Seneca and Cayuga -- swam in Seneca for a few hours to cool off. Decided not to cruise the lakes now in summer heat, and headed north on the Sen/Cay canal to the Erie.
We tied off two nights ago at Seneca Falls -- interesting town, home of women's suffrage. Good deli, interesting museums, town dock.
Last night, anchored at lock 25 and tonight in Newark, NY at the Canalport -- free dock, with power, showers, and laundry on the premises. Nice folks. A little noisy near the bridge. The countryside between the end of the Seneca/Cayuga canal and here is marvelous -- wild and full of birds. Only saw two boats all day today. Pretty cruising.
El and Bill
New member
Still moseying along westerly on the Erie Canal -- great small towns, free docks (many with electricity and facilities), and super restaurants. Now in Fairport and heading out today for the west. Looking forward to meeting another C-Dory on the waterway -- anyone coming this way?