MacGregorSailors.com

http://www.amazon.com/River-Horse-Ameri ... 507&sr=1-1

The above book has an interesting part about the Erie Canal trip in a shallow draft cuddy cabin power boat. Your local library may have it as mine did. The wind and currents in a couple of locks were hairy. A dim-wit in a barge once almost crushed him. The scenery was great and the trip was part of his trip across America from NJ to the state of Washington. That's right, a trip right to left, along rivers and streams and lakes, with only about 100 miles of portage by trailer.

Just do it. The Erie Canal spolied me so bad. Start in one of the Fingure Lakes and go somewhere.

Skipper Bobs guide to the NY Canals is best. Plan to spend all summer if you can.


I miss it already.

I often thought of an Erie Canal Cruise. I dock my 26x at Erie Pennsylvvania. I talk to a lot of people from here that have made the trip and never heard one complaint

One of these years when I get some extra vacation time, I just might do it. At least enter the Canal from Lake Erie and do a few miles, just so I can say I did it

How far is it to the first lock from Lake Erie.?

Are there any fee`s to enter the Canal.?.

The fee is $ 75 I think if your boat regerestion shows less then 26 feet. From the closes ramp to the first ramp from Buffalo NY is about 17 miles. Several places to tie up and enough room for 5 boats at the lock in Lockport.

John
You dont have to pay anything until you go through a lock, so you could sail up to Tonawanda, go inland 17 miles to Lockport, all for free.

You can also buy one day or three day passes for less for a quick trip.

You cant buy the permit until early next year when the season starts though.

Just picked up a MacG 25 in great shape.
Plan to refit her from a day sailor to a cruiser,
Heading west on the Erie Canal next summer, across Oneida Lake into
the Oswego Canal across Lake Ontario, down the St Lawrence to Montreal
into Lake Champlain and back to Albany.
Tom

I have the NY Canal book and Captian's Bob NY canal book. I will not be going back for some years. If anybody would like them. email or PM and we can work out shiping and a little something else. I am in Jacksonville Fl now.

I'm interested in the trip, if it is not too late in the spring. I did the Cumberland River/Tennessee River this spring. It took three weeks and was wonderful. I was considering the finger lakes next year anyway.

Ken

I have a place in the Finger lakes where people can leave cars and trailers if they are inclined.
EM me for contact info.

Treman Marine Park In Ithaca NY is the best Launch on Cayuga - 43 miles south of the Canal - nice sail/motor up the lake

Cayuga State Park and Deans Cove are also good launch sites - all Mac compatible. These are closer to the Canal - maybe 10 miles

Thanks Steve. I'll keep you in mind if the plans firm up. Spring is a long way away for an old fart.

Captain Jim form A-1 Sailboats has made the trip and has a pretty good account of the trip on his adventures page.
http://www.a1sailboats.com/adventur.htm

Is it too soon to start planning?

Or has this idea fizzled?