We are ordering a TomCat 255 for the East Coast and have been talking about some NE traveling, so if you all will allow a displaced Californian, and a real lady from Mississippi (residing in Florida--and assuming no severe hurricanes in Pensacola this year)--we would love to join you!
09/09 - 09/16 - Erie Canal Cruise
- Thread starter ffheap
- Start date
Rick from Maine
New member
Hi Thataway,
Of course you're welcome. Last year we had 8 boats from 8 different states ( including a Californian!). So, come join the cruise.
Rick from Maine
Of course you're welcome. Last year we had 8 boats from 8 different states ( including a Californian!). So, come join the cruise.
Rick from Maine
DickAndSharon
New member
I would highly recommend the Thousand Islands area.
The Canadian side seems to be better developed for boaters. Kingston, Gananoque, Brockville, Prescott have great marinas, though gas is expensive. Kingston is worth at least two days.
On the American side, the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY is a must see, as are Boldt Castle (Alexandria Bay, NY) and Singer Castle (a bit further down the river from Boldt). There's a Frederick Remington Museum in Ogdensberg, NY, but the marinas are not so nice and there is no fuel (at least not last August). If you choose to venture further down the river, there is a beautiful NY State Park marina just north of the Eisenhower Locks.
This is an incredibly beautiful area.
RW
The Canadian side seems to be better developed for boaters. Kingston, Gananoque, Brockville, Prescott have great marinas, though gas is expensive. Kingston is worth at least two days.
On the American side, the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY is a must see, as are Boldt Castle (Alexandria Bay, NY) and Singer Castle (a bit further down the river from Boldt). There's a Frederick Remington Museum in Ogdensberg, NY, but the marinas are not so nice and there is no fuel (at least not last August). If you choose to venture further down the river, there is a beautiful NY State Park marina just north of the Eisenhower Locks.
This is an incredibly beautiful area.
RW
Rick from Maine
New member
Hi Ken, - Glad you're seriously considering coming on the Erie this year. You'll have a ball.
Dick & Sharon - Thanks for the info. Please help us plan a cruise next year to that area.
As to an Itinerary, we're very flexible when cruising the canal. Weather influences how far we go each day. The key is the start date and place. So let's set it now:
Date: 9/9/06
Place: Seneca Falls Town Landing
Launch Ramp/Trailer Storage: Seneca Lake State Park
First Gathering Dinner: Saturday Night, 9/9, 6:30 PM at the cheaper Italian Restaurant in town
If some people can't make it til the 10th, we can stay in the Seneca Falls area cruising the lakes to wineries on Sunday, then head out on Monday ( or maybe we ought to do that anyway!)
We'll head east. Hoping to get to Champlain but happy to get to Troy. If anyone wants to leave early, there are 2 options: Either turn around and head back by boat, or stop near a ramp, call Enterprise and retrieve their trailer. There are various possible ramps to do this. On the 15/16th we can do the rental car/trailer shuffle as a group.
Rick from Maine
Dick & Sharon - Thanks for the info. Please help us plan a cruise next year to that area.
As to an Itinerary, we're very flexible when cruising the canal. Weather influences how far we go each day. The key is the start date and place. So let's set it now:
Date: 9/9/06
Place: Seneca Falls Town Landing
Launch Ramp/Trailer Storage: Seneca Lake State Park
First Gathering Dinner: Saturday Night, 9/9, 6:30 PM at the cheaper Italian Restaurant in town
If some people can't make it til the 10th, we can stay in the Seneca Falls area cruising the lakes to wineries on Sunday, then head out on Monday ( or maybe we ought to do that anyway!)
We'll head east. Hoping to get to Champlain but happy to get to Troy. If anyone wants to leave early, there are 2 options: Either turn around and head back by boat, or stop near a ramp, call Enterprise and retrieve their trailer. There are various possible ramps to do this. On the 15/16th we can do the rental car/trailer shuffle as a group.
Rick from Maine
Rick et al;
Those plans sound good to us. We'll try to make it to Whitehall, but be happy with Troy. Let's make Sept 9th at Seneca Falls official. Can the webmasters make a sign up sheet? Looks like we may have more boats than last year, and that would be great. Let's hear from other possible attendees!
Dun (CTYankee)
Those plans sound good to us. We'll try to make it to Whitehall, but be happy with Troy. Let's make Sept 9th at Seneca Falls official. Can the webmasters make a sign up sheet? Looks like we may have more boats than last year, and that would be great. Let's hear from other possible attendees!
Dun (CTYankee)
Hi Folks,
If the trailer can make it, I will make it. Looking forward to the trip. The little old ladies are coming on the ninth. I guess I will miss them. Might not have a marriage when I get back, because InnLady thinks I should stay around. I do not think so.
I also hope to stay around to Whitehall. I taught for three years at Green Mountain College in Poultney Vermont, right next door to Whitehall. Also I regret missing the fall trip to Whitehall a few years ago.
An interesting question. Was the American Navy founded in Marblehead MA, or Whitehall NY?
More than that later.
Fred Heap
Fred
PS. We had seven boats from seven states last year. Lets beat that number. The more, the merrier.
If the trailer can make it, I will make it. Looking forward to the trip. The little old ladies are coming on the ninth. I guess I will miss them. Might not have a marriage when I get back, because InnLady thinks I should stay around. I do not think so.
I also hope to stay around to Whitehall. I taught for three years at Green Mountain College in Poultney Vermont, right next door to Whitehall. Also I regret missing the fall trip to Whitehall a few years ago.
An interesting question. Was the American Navy founded in Marblehead MA, or Whitehall NY?
More than that later.
Fred Heap
Fred
PS. We had seven boats from seven states last year. Lets beat that number. The more, the merrier.
This one has been added to the calendar and has a signup list in place. I gave Rick the Honorary Cruise Director title even though that normally goes to the person who starts the discussion. But one must never underestimate the power of little old ladies!
Let me know if the dates or info need to be refined.
Let me know if the dates or info need to be refined.
Almas Only
New member
Whatever happened to the Champlain and/or Rideau Canals? Are they still part of the plan, or will they be an add-on option for some who are interested?
david
david
Hi Dave,
I hope we get to see you again this fall in Geneva. Dinner at the Ramada???
I think the plan is to get as far as possible in a week. Whether that means Troy, or Whitehall, or Burlington or the Rideau depends on how fast we go and how often we stop. Some might like to go faster than others, but I personally would like to make it to Whitehall by Saturday Sept 16th. I think Rick is planning out some possible stops along the way, and hopefully will publish that info soon. Apparently you can go faster on the eastern portion of the Erie with fewer speed restrictions, but it is also longer. Do you have a time frame and a preferred destination?
Dun (CTYankee)
I hope we get to see you again this fall in Geneva. Dinner at the Ramada???
I think the plan is to get as far as possible in a week. Whether that means Troy, or Whitehall, or Burlington or the Rideau depends on how fast we go and how often we stop. Some might like to go faster than others, but I personally would like to make it to Whitehall by Saturday Sept 16th. I think Rick is planning out some possible stops along the way, and hopefully will publish that info soon. Apparently you can go faster on the eastern portion of the Erie with fewer speed restrictions, but it is also longer. Do you have a time frame and a preferred destination?
Dun (CTYankee)
Dun,
I was hoping that we could stop and "smell the roses." I can run on water all day out of Nantucket. The Erie Canal is a special place, with interesting places to stop. I loved last years trip, but thinking back, I wish we had maybe taken it a little slower.
Just a thought.
Fred
I was hoping that we could stop and "smell the roses." I can run on water all day out of Nantucket. The Erie Canal is a special place, with interesting places to stop. I loved last years trip, but thinking back, I wish we had maybe taken it a little slower.
Just a thought.
Fred
Rick from Maine
New member
Hi All,
We can’t do the Rideau and the Eastern Erie Canal on the same trip, unless we do the loop, which takes a few weeks (minimum). My plan for this year is to do the Eastern Erie Canal. If there is enough time, we could do the Champlain Canal to Whitehall ( they say to plan 1 ½ days, though it can be done in 1 day), and of course if weather supports we could go up further in the lake.
Next Year, I was hoping to do the Thousand Islands and Rideau Canal. We’d put in at 1000 island area of New York, and go up the Rideau to Ottawa.
This year, if weather holds, some could go up the Champlain all the way to the Chambly Canal and Richelieu River to Sorel, on the St Lawrence. But, that seems like at least 2 weeks from Seneca, to me.
We really liked last year’s pace. We cruised for 1-3 hr in AM to a spot for lunch, then did 1-3 hrs to a spot to spend the night and have supper. This year, we can expect to travel a little further each leg than last year for 2 reasons: 1. We won’t have to hold to 7-8 mph since Halcyon won’t be cruising with a broken engine, and 2. There are a couple of lakes in the path where there isn’t a 10 mph restriction. So, I haven’t laid out a specific cruise itinerary of where we’d stop each night. We’d like to play it by ear, based on weather and how many attractions we stop to see. Ya never know how long it can take to get Carol out of those shops! ( Don’t tell her I said that.)
Rick from Maine
We can’t do the Rideau and the Eastern Erie Canal on the same trip, unless we do the loop, which takes a few weeks (minimum). My plan for this year is to do the Eastern Erie Canal. If there is enough time, we could do the Champlain Canal to Whitehall ( they say to plan 1 ½ days, though it can be done in 1 day), and of course if weather supports we could go up further in the lake.
Next Year, I was hoping to do the Thousand Islands and Rideau Canal. We’d put in at 1000 island area of New York, and go up the Rideau to Ottawa.
This year, if weather holds, some could go up the Champlain all the way to the Chambly Canal and Richelieu River to Sorel, on the St Lawrence. But, that seems like at least 2 weeks from Seneca, to me.
We really liked last year’s pace. We cruised for 1-3 hr in AM to a spot for lunch, then did 1-3 hrs to a spot to spend the night and have supper. This year, we can expect to travel a little further each leg than last year for 2 reasons: 1. We won’t have to hold to 7-8 mph since Halcyon won’t be cruising with a broken engine, and 2. There are a couple of lakes in the path where there isn’t a 10 mph restriction. So, I haven’t laid out a specific cruise itinerary of where we’d stop each night. We’d like to play it by ear, based on weather and how many attractions we stop to see. Ya never know how long it can take to get Carol out of those shops! ( Don’t tell her I said that.)
Rick from Maine
Hey guys,
I've been hearing reports that the Eastern portion of the Erie Canal has sustained serious damage due to recent serious flooding and may not be able to reopen all locks this season. We'll have to keep an eye on it, but we should think about alternate plans if it can't open by September. I would be up for the Champlain Canal, Lake Champlain, and the Chambly Canal up to Montreal, or the Rideau Canal to Ottawa. Any thoughts?
Dun (CTYankee)
I've been hearing reports that the Eastern portion of the Erie Canal has sustained serious damage due to recent serious flooding and may not be able to reopen all locks this season. We'll have to keep an eye on it, but we should think about alternate plans if it can't open by September. I would be up for the Champlain Canal, Lake Champlain, and the Chambly Canal up to Montreal, or the Rideau Canal to Ottawa. Any thoughts?
Dun (CTYankee)
Almas Only
New member
Dun:
Sorry to hear about the Erie's problems, but Plan B sounds great to me. I suggest that if there's any residual possibility of an Erie closure, we shift the planning focus asap so that everyone can begin to make new plans.
David
Sorry to hear about the Erie's problems, but Plan B sounds great to me. I suggest that if there's any residual possibility of an Erie closure, we shift the planning focus asap so that everyone can begin to make new plans.
David
Hi Guys,
We will have to wait and see, but I think the State of New York will get it open. There was a picture in the Boston Globe taken in Amsterdam NY showing two guys eating lunch along the Lock. In the back ground was the Lock House LEANING to one side. I could not bring it up yet to show you. Maybe Plan B might be the thing to do. The Champlain Canal is closed to. We will just have to watch and wait.
Fred
We will have to wait and see, but I think the State of New York will get it open. There was a picture in the Boston Globe taken in Amsterdam NY showing two guys eating lunch along the Lock. In the back ground was the Lock House LEANING to one side. I could not bring it up yet to show you. Maybe Plan B might be the thing to do. The Champlain Canal is closed to. We will just have to watch and wait.
Fred
Hi Everyone!
Pat and I will try to meet with you on the Eastern end of the canal. We have not set any dates yet but it looks like after the 15th of Sept. Our plan would to put in somewhere near Waterford and then have the choice of both the Erie and the Champlain.
We love Whitehall good food and a nice museum. Just a short distance up the lake is the town of Vergennes , Vt. spelling may be incorrect. If you can plan the time be sure to explore Sylvan Beach on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake.
Note: We will be on the western end of the canal starting at Senneca Lake on the 21st of July heading west and back.
Pat and I will try to meet with you on the Eastern end of the canal. We have not set any dates yet but it looks like after the 15th of Sept. Our plan would to put in somewhere near Waterford and then have the choice of both the Erie and the Champlain.
We love Whitehall good food and a nice museum. Just a short distance up the lake is the town of Vergennes , Vt. spelling may be incorrect. If you can plan the time be sure to explore Sylvan Beach on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake.
Note: We will be on the western end of the canal starting at Senneca Lake on the 21st of July heading west and back.