Anyone Thought About An Erie Canal Cruise?

[AWKIII]

Sitting here in the office and looking at the Aspen trees hanging on to the last of their golden foliage. The first snow has come and gone and am already starting to daydream.

I have been lucky to spend some time with Steve Smith (Catigale & KellyHansonEast) over the past year and inevitably he always brings up the Erie Canal as one of the most incredible cruises one can do in his or her lifetime. The history, people and his stories about you will witness along the way are fascinating.

So I was thinking about Mac Rally down all or part of the canal system. The great thing is there's no open ocean to contend with. Heck, we wouldn't even have to bring the spars.....just a leisurely power-cruise from one port of call to the next.

We could do it like the Ford Mustang Rally. It would start at point "A" and folks could make the entire cruise or join up at pre-determines points along the way.

Questions?

Is anyone familiar with the area?
Has anyone made this trip?
Did you enjoy it?
When would be the best time to do it?
Is anyone interested?

Listening to Steve ramble on about it, it sure sounds like an experiences of a lifetime.

Lord knows with everything going on in this country and world, I could certainly use one.

By the way....Steve said it is an absolute bargain as far as a river cruise is concerned.

Art

[Alex]

James V did it ...

"Erie Canal West to East, then South to Key West"

http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... 96#p129296

[AWKIII]

Alex.

Thanks for the link. Don't know how I missed it as it was just a few threads down.

After seeing the pictures, this is a trip I would definitely like to make.

I imagine fall is the best time of year to go but do not want to wait another year. Anyone out there know the earliest one can do it without it being uncomfortably cold?

[Kelly Hanson East]

'Morning Art (from Germany)

May 1 is the earliest the Canal opens for the season....upstate NY in early May is a fickle beast - temps run from lows of 40 to highs of 60. The fickle part is it can be below freezing or 90 degrees F - probably the largest range of temps in the year!

[AWKIII]

I used to think I was the road warrior king but there is no doubt in my mind you own the title. Don't know how you manage to do it.

Maybe a start around the Memorial Day weekend would be good. I don't mind the heat so much but freezing temps are not enjoyable.

Do you think you could drag yourself away from work for a few days and tago along for part of the trip?

Art

[Kelly Hanson East]

Of course. I can also provide logistical support - I can probably arrange for anyone who needs a place to leave a safe trailer at either end or middle of canal

Buffalo end with friends
Mid Canal at my summer place
Albany end my winter place

I have to work it around the kids school of course

[AWKIII]

Hi Steve.

Thanks!

As far as a route is concerned, where do you think we should start and end?

I would love to take the summer off and see everything but that's not realistic. On the other hand, I don't want to rush it and miss everything just to say I did it. What are your thoughts relative to an itenerary?

Are there any good guide books out there that cover the route from start to finish and detail the cities, attractions, facilities, etc. along the way? I can purchase some at wholesale for any one interested in making the trip.

I am going to be out of town for the next couple of weeks. Going to pick up my new boat and sail it down the California coast to San Diego which will ber her home port. She's a 38' performance cruiser and was able to get an incredible deal. The industry has been in decline for years now and the recent economic events are only going to make it much worse. The only question is how long it will last and who will be left after it's over.

Will be able to check in now and then where service is available.

Art

[Jim Bunnell]

If you are working around school schedules, I'd be interested in the trip. I have never done canals or locks, so the idea of going with a experienced group is appealing. I'd be available from June 4 on, but would need time to trail the rig to the launch site. How long a trip are you thinking of?

[Captain Steve]

Art, the New York Canal Commission prints a great guide book complete with charts. It is available on the erie canal website. I also bought a couple of DVDs on the canal off of Ebay. They were part of "cruising America's Waterways" series

[Kelly Hanson East]

Locks sound daunting, but after you do your second one, they are no big deal. Every lock is manned with a person, and if you ask for advice they are generally pleasant about helping you out. You find boats ranging from 10-50 feet in the locks and everyone looks out for each other as a rule.

[AWKIII]

Hi Jim.

Great news! That makes three of us so far.

I am pretty wide open as far as dates go so we can plan around your schedule.

As far as trip length...I think we need to determine where to start and end. We can work out the details about trailers, etc. after that.

Steve....where do you suggest we start and end? Who long will it take?

Anyone who is interested in going or knows the canal....please feel free to jump in.

Art

[AWKIII]

Hi Steve.

Thanks for the info.

Will order the guide ASAP!

Art

[AWKIII]

I wouldn't be too concerned about passing through the locks. They are actually fascinating and pretty fun.

Have been through many over the years and they are non-eventful. You just have to get over the first time jitters.

There are some pictures of some on a related thread in this forum. There is even a couple of photos showing how to do it.

These look to be primarily smaller locks. The water will move quickly though. A light displacement boat like the Mac will handle much better at the end of the pack. However, all you really need is a line and some fenders. A life jacket wouldn't hurt either.

Art

[bastonjock]

have a look at this

hope that it acceptable to the mods

[bastonjock]

the locks in the Uk may not be as big as the ones on Erie,but there is nothing quite like a lay day or two on the river,no need for Wot,just knock it into gear and meander at 1500 rpm,find a nice spot,and have a barbeque