Truck and Trailer Storage - Troy, NY (?) Going north on Lake Champlain

Last fall we did the Erie Canal, Oswego, and Thousand Islands. Now I'm in the planning stages to go up through Lake Champlain through some of Canadian Canals and through the Great Lakes to complete our Loop started in 2022.

Any recommendations for truck and trailer storage for about 3 months (end of May through Labor Day)? Near a suitable boat ramp?

Thanks in advance!

Scott & Barb Gilbertson
"Little Bit More"

I a little surprised there have been no recommendations. I know a lot of C Dory's have been through there, especially those that have done the Triangle Loop.

I am on Lake Champlain. Troy has a pretty rough reputation, so maybe not a lot of cruisers around there. I have a 1o+ year old cruising guide for the Hudson (and Lake Champlain). Would you like me to post some of the marinas listed for you to call and see what's available?

Hi Scott and Barb,
We’ve been cruising one-way Segments of the Loop since 2016, and will also finish this summer after only ten years…yes, we’re ‘rushing it.’ I assume you plan to launch near Waterford/Troy and head up to Lake Champlain to do the Triangle Loop backwards (against the current) then the Great Lakes to Chicago one-way then find a way back to your rig. Is that right?

Here it appears you have a CD22, and on greatloop.org it appears you have a Rossy 24. That boat would better handle the Great Lakes despite marina E0 gas prices. That said, hats off if you two adults would even consider three months on a CD22. For three months rig storage, I’d advise looking at Neighbor.com. Search for Vehicle +Utility trailer storage and put the length of each to see offers near Troy or Albany. Your move-in month rate will be pro-rated, but not your move-out month (you’ll be charged on the 1st of each month after movin-in). You’ll want a mini solar panel for the truck and trailer EOH batteries or disconnect them.

https://www.neighbor.com/search?ski...t=42.42086856841945&se_lng=-72.75906623544708

Coeyman’s Riverfront Park appears to have a ramp and marina (we’ll be cruising the Triangle Loop again and plan to end there). Rig storage is likely very expensive if available there.

Upstate NY & Canada is still cold before mid June. Also, Parks Canada locking and mooring is free this summer, but only AFTER June 19 until Sept 7, so why pay full price before June 19? Also, it takes a couple of weeks for the winter debris to be flushed out and the lock mechanicals to get back in the groove after a long winter closed up.

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/admission

We advocate cruising BOTH the Inside Passage of Georgian Bay, the Trent-Severn PLUS the Triangle Loop into the same cruise if you have 3 months. That’s possible because the entrance to the TS at Trenton/Quinte West is only 70 miles from the entrance to the TL at Kingston on the North side of Lake Ontario. Regardless of which direction you take, get your air draft under 8 feet so you take the historic (and free) Lachine Canal right through Montreal instead of the horrid commercial Seaway Locks to get around the rapids by Montreal.

You might consider launching near Chicago, which will be warmer as you work your way up towards Mackinaw to North Georgian Bay. Enter the West end of the T-S at Severn, take 2 weeks or more (or a month in the Inside Passage). Pop out at Trenton, then enter the TL at Kinston. Spend a day or two at Montebello and a few days in Montreal. We plan to take the Via Rail from Montreal to explore Quebec City, and maybe all the way to Halifax. Hang a right at Sorel, get into Lake Champlain (with the current) and to Troy/Waterford.

We like Rome2Rio for all public transport options (worldwide). Here are options for Albany to Chicago:

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Albany-NY-USA/Chicago

The NY marinas are likely still assessing winter damage, and ice flows are currently knocking down houses in Cheyboygan so it’s a bit early to call. Plan on hugging the west coast of WI on Lake MI (on the 10ft contour line) to avoid the prevailing West winds. On the Great Lakes, we advocate making every third day a Weather/Option Day for any trailer boat. Start studying the Great Lakes Portal weather patterns.

https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/

If interested, here is a link to our Great Lakes to Inland Rivers this summer. We were incredibly lucky to have only four Weather day delays (all on Lake Erie).

https://findpenguins.com/ancient-isles/trip/great-lakes-to-inland-rivers?sort=ASC

I hope something here is helpful. Call or PM for any questions or anything we can help you with (Phone # is on greatloop.org site).

Safe travels!

John

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your posting!

Yes we did a lot of cruising on our beloved CD22 "Little Bit" and went to many C-Brats gatherings. Some of them multiple times. We are now on "Little Bit More", a Rosborough RF246. Love the stability in rough water. (and a head...no more porta potti's ). It's a beast to tow when loaded for cruising. I had to upgrade my towing vehicle, etc. Nothing beats the ease of towing like the CD22.

I need to let you know that you have inspired us to go "backwards" against the current. Lake Champlain north turn left at Sorel, Montreal, Ottawa, Richelieu Canals, TS Canals, Georgian Bay and then down the east side of Lake Michigan. We actually cross our wake in Alton, IL. to complete our Loop.

Thanks for the idea of Neighbors.com. We did visit Coeyman's Marina last summer for marine gas and it's in a good location, I haven't called for storage rates.

I do have a question. You really have me thinking about timing. We want to complete our cruising this year by mid- Sept. I could launch the boat in NY and then deliver the truck and trailer to Alton, IL. Hire a one way car rental back to the boat and then start in early June. The timing might be better for boating season (warmer and the canals more ready to go). Sometimes I don't like this approach since I don't want to press weather windows or have a adequate anchor and shore time.

Based on your experience, would 3 1/2 months be enough time for this route?

Thanks so much,
Scott & Barb Gilbertson

14 weeks would be plenty for us on that cruise (we averaged over 35 MPH on the Great Lakes, but were incredibly lucky with calm conditions). For trailer boats, that’s where the weather risk is. Like trying to cross the Gulf in winter, you might be stuck for two weeks, or not at all. By the time you’re in Georgian Bay you’ll be getting good predictions for the next 72 hours out.

We advise the Mackinac City Marina and the ferry for the obligatory Mackinac Island visit, since the ferry wakes will drive you batty on the island. At the top of Lake Michigan, let the prevailing West wind drive your WI vs MI side decision. Every day we had max 1 foot waves on the 10 ft contour line off WI, they were 3 feet (or more) on the MI side. The blue Windy app is very good. You’ll make good time from Chicago to Alton. The Joliet wall is free but sketchy, choose a marina. We also chose Dow’s Lake marina over the Ottawa wall (nonviolent theft of shore-power cords to e-bikes). Get there early, we got in the first locking because the lockmaster had a 28 foot slot that only we could fit in, despite 32 big boats being ahead of us!

SWA has 5-hour flights from STL to Albany for as little as $149 each in June. Depending on one-way drop-off fees, a hotel night, gas etc that may be cheaper than a rental car overall.

If you are concerned re timing, you might still consider starting at Alton rather than Albany, since your Great Lakes segment will always be a Weather Great Big Huge Unknowable compared to the Bay, canals, and even Lake Champlain. That choice would give you more options to loiter without as much weather worries. Anyways, you have lots of time to weigh your options. You could also PM some Lakes Harbor Hosts, give your NO-GO criteria and ask what percentage of days you might expect your route to exceed that.

However, I don’t think running ‘against the current’ from Albany would be financially significant in our boats. The AGLCA advises against it because for a few miles near Montreal most slow trawlers can’t fight the current (8 MPH when we were there, but the Lakes were four feet above datum then).

PS both VT and NY law requires boats on Lake Champlain to physically REMOVE any Y-valve hose leading to an overboard discharge outlet…only spot on the Loop with that rule vs lock, cable tie etc. Don’t get caught, the fines are very high.

Have fun planning!
John

Thanks again for a wealth of good information! Now you really have me thinkin' . Never really thought about reversing to clockwise on the Loop. Going from Alton up to the Illinois River to Chicago and then north on Lake Michigan. Would be nice to have that part of the weather planning behind us. You are exactly right with SWA flight I think STL is a pretty big hub for them. Us trailer boaters have to been keen on logistics when we plan these things out.

Thanks again!
Scott