09/09 - 09/16 - Erie Canal Cruise

THOUGHTS ON NAVIGATION.

This is the stuff that Dave Paxton is good at.

Last years trip from Seneca Falls to Tonawanda took five days, was 146 miles, and went through 16 looks, and a few lift bridges and against the current.

This years trip from Seneca Falls to Troy will take 212 miles, 29 locks.

Last year we averaged about 30 miles a day.

I think we should think of leaving Seneca Falls on Sunday morning, a day earlier. First night should be in the area of Three Rivers (49 miles) or Breweton (59 miles), four locks.

Second night should be about Rome (46 miles) or Utica (60 miles) and four locks. That gets us half way in two days. The rest of the trip will take four to five days and we can "smell the roses".

The remaining trip is through the area where the most serious flooding took place. That leaves us with about 125 miles and 21 locks left.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS- FUEL MANAGEMENT.

On last years trip (against the current, I burned about 45 gallons for 146 miles, which is about 3 miles/gallon.. (My tanks, when full will carry about 36 gallons, and I will have two 3 gallon tanks with me, for a capacity of about 42 gallons. At 3 miles a gallon, that is about 120 miles per tank load. (That is being conservative. Current will be favorable from Utica on.)

I think we should suspect the quality of any gas sold canal side from Utica to Troy. (The distance is about 103 miles from Utica to Troy.) So if we leave Utica with a full tank, we should be safe. All of us should think about small backup tanks that we can carry to higher ground gas stations.

Where we stop is up to all of us. How much time will we have to visit some of the places written up in WANDERER's trip?

Lets hear from the rest of you.

Other factor. Has all the boats that are planning to come, signed up on the sign-up sheet?

Fred
 
Fred:

Thanks for the very through scheduling workup. I am reluctant to express too many preferences or opinions on this subject, since my sometimes cruising partner, and long-time brother, is having serious medical difficulties which might require me to skip the Erie trip, altogether. I probably won’t know until the last minute.

That said, as beautiful as the Finger Lakes and Seneca Falls are, I wonder about devoting a lot of time to areas which we have already seen, when your workup seems to show that doing so will make us rush things farther along the way, or even cut off the end of the trip, altogether. So, I agree with your suggestion that we plan on a schedule which addresses the mileage and number of locks.

I’m also wondering if it makes sense to position the vehicles at the Albany/Troy end right up front, so that there will be further flexibility on the tail end?

Let me know your thoughts.

david
 
To all:

My wife and I are not able to participate in the cruise...as we both have full-time jobs.

But we are thinking of coordinating some needed work travel in Schenectady and Syracuse with the September 9-10 weekend. (We live and work in Rochester.) We could overnight in our fifth wheel trailer at the Waterloo Harbor Campground (nearby Seneca SP) on Saturday.

We propose to help you launch at Seneca and join you for dinner Saturday evening, and then see you off on Sunday morning. Would that be agreeable?

Cordially, Wayne
 
Dun/CTYANKEE-send me your full name/address via PM and I'll get a VHS copy out to you---am making a couple of copies right now---you and Sneaks will have to edit out the comercials but I am very confident you can handle that OK.
Looking forward to our getaway---been a long/busy summer--need a break!!
 
That would be wonderful, Wayne, it will be great to meet you. We will all probably arrive at different times during the day so you may not want to hang out all day. Fred likes to arrive early as he will probably be up there already, and I know we and others won't get there till late afternoon. If David comes, he has a LONG drive from Virginia so he might get there later too.

As to David's suggestion about leaving the rigs in Albany, I don't think that would work as it just makes a very long day for most of us. Also, we would have to arrive at the same time and coordinate someone driving the Ferry car. I like the launch at Seneca Falls SP as it gives good security for my motor home. David, I do really hope your brother is OK and you can make it.

I too think we should leave for the East on Sunday. It's a long way to Albany, and I don't want to rush it and also would like to get up to Champlain if possible. We've seen the Finger Lakes last year, and it can get rough out there and spoil your plans. But, I'll do whatever the consensus is...if there is a consensus :crook .

If you will all send me your cell phone numbers again by PM, I will send everyone a complete list. I have most from last year and if It hasn't changed, just tell me.

Dun
 
Hi Guys,

Well, 3 of 6 signees want to leave Sunday, and the rest of us can live with that. So, Let's plan on leaving from Seneca Falls on Sunday. Which means that our OFFICIAL Gathering Dinner will be at Seneca Falls on Saturday, 9/9/06. We'll meet at the Town Dock around 5:00 PM for wine/brews & snacks/cheese, and go to that Italian Restaurant later. I'll make reservations once I get a good head count.

Hint. Hint. Everyone who is coming to the Dinner needs to tell us via this thread.

Like Dun, I think it is good security where we live our rigs now, and we can get a rental easier from Albany area than Seneca Falls.

It's good to know about those parking/Launch sites that HughPenk provided. They'll work good even if we go up the Champlain, we might come back to those because of the shorter drive time.

All right! I can make the B&B reservations now.

Rick from Maine
 
Don/Sneaks
Dun/CTYANKEE
VHS tapes are headed your way---mailed aprox. noon 8/23/06.
Work your magic---do NOT need tapes returned--I have original--trash or keep--your option.
Rick from Maine:as of right now I will be tagging along on Erie Canal trip--figure two for Sat. night dinner hint:hint!
 
Rick,

I see by the last message, that solo running of the Erie Canal will be, this year, solo. Rick, at this time, count me as one.

Fred
 
Fred,I will be alone for the trip--will only have ladyfriend with me Sat. PM and Sun.AM till we leave heading East---she still is working full time and does not have enough time off left to do this get together AND the Gulf Coast gathering in Oct. which I am also making plans for.Sorry for the confusion.
 
Hay Guys,

I was joking. I am working on an old friend who I use to boat with in Marshfield MA years ago. He might come, and he might bring his wife. I am waiting to hear from him via phone so I can explain dates and arrangements.

I am really looking forward to this trip. Because of a promise not kept by a guy who was to do a fiberglass job on my boat in June, and did not do it till August, I have used the boat two days. I was up in Hingham this last week, and have the boat ready to go, including having the trailer bearings checked. I plan to leave Nantucket early on the 6th, and leave Hingham early on the 7th. Last minute cleaning of the boat will take place in Seneca Falls.

Looking forward to seeing youall.

Fred
 
Dear Friends:

On Saturday (8/26) my wife and I attended the NY State Fair in Syracuse. This fair is distinguished by the setting: the main buildings are architectural momuments, and the grounds are beautifully landscaped.

We then drove Highways 5 & 20 to Seneca Falls, and checked out the canal front: very nice!

Finally, we traveled north on #414 and then east on #318 to the big VF outlet mall alongside I-90. More walking!

After I got home, I checked out the location of Seneca Lake SP on a map (I found it's in Geneva!) as well as the Waterloo Marina and Campground. I wished I had done this before we left for the day, as we could easily have "taken a look" at them as well.

At this time, we are reconsidering our plans, to bring the C-Dory instead of the fifth wheel! My wife is open to staying on the boat "if the weather is nice."

Either way, we would plan to arrive on Friday evening (after work: it's only an hour from where we live). If we bring the C-Dory, we will put in at Seneca Lake SP, and run over to Seneca Falls for the overnight Friday. Saturday morning, we could run on up to the Erie Canal and/or into Cayuga Lake; we would plan to return by mid-afternnon to Seneca Lake SP.

I assume you can overnight at Seneca Lake SP? Is that the plan for Saturday night?

Sunday morning, after seeing y'all off, we would pull out...and drive to Syracuse to attend a church I have been asked to visit (as part of my work).

Cordially, Wayne
 
Hi Wayne,

Great, hope the weather is good, and that you guys come with your boat. Since you'll have time to cruise on Saturday, you could go down Cayuga to the Goose Watch winery. That makes a nice short cruise with a destination that's fun, if ya like wine.

The plan is to meet at the Seneca Falls town wall around 5:00 PM Saturday, Sept 9, for meeting, greeting, socializing, sundowners, and snacks. Then we will go to dinner at the local Italian restaurant.

Rick & Carol from Maine
 
I have been trying to talk my dad into coming up and cruising with you all for a couple days. He has not committed yet, but after reading Wayne's post, I think I may suggest something like Wayne's itinerary to him. We also are only about 1.5 hours to Seneca Lake so coming up Friday night and cruising a little over the weekend and spending some time with you folks might work. I had a great time down a Lankford bay with all of you and will see if I can't make it up for at least Friday to Sunday!


Soapy Joe
22' cruiser
 
Soapy Joe,

You are more than welcomed. If you are up to Saturday Night Supper, E-mail Rick with your numbers.

At this time (8/29/2006 at 10:10am) we have about 8 signed up. Where is El and Bill?

Fred
 
Hi All;
You may have noticed my general introduction & posting (on porta pottis) yesterday. My new (to me) C-Dory 16 Cruiser has yet to be launched but am anxious to get going. My local launch ramps are Central or Northern Cayuga Lake (eastern side). I'm not sure about joining the full Erie cruise - maybe - have to discuss with the other half. A challenge to do a week cruise when you aren't fully geared up... But I certainly would enjoy catching people on Saturday and at least run some on Sunday. As Seneca Falls is pretty close to me, I could check out facilities this weekend if that is needed. Let me know. I really don't know the ins and outs of leaving vehicles and trailers for a week (especially at NY State parks - private marinas are always open to a few $).
All for the moment.

Best,
Nate
 
Hi Nate,

Hope you can come play with us, at least for Saturday Night. We'd like to meet ya's. You could put your boat at the town dock, and stay at a local B&B if you're not set up yet. Or, you could just come and dock and play with us on Saturday night, then boat home if that suits.

The plan is to play on the dock together from about 5:00 PM to 6:30 ish, then go to the cheaper Italian Restaurant on the main drag. If you go there, please try to get me a name and phone number. It's the restaurant with the Pizzaria attached (not the fancy one!).

Rick from Maine
 
Hi all;
Betsy (Ingall) and I will be joining the Erie trip for 1-2 days. Will miss eastern, Mohawk River, part which is the most interesting of the eastern half of the canal. Speed limit is high there so slow down and enjoy the view!
In our 16 Cruiser we might feel like the little kid tagging along! It will be great to meet everyone and learn some of your cruising tricks.
For Saturday activities two interesting things come to mind for those arriving early.
South end of Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen: Malabar X, a famous John Alden designed racing schooner (1930, won Bermuda race) does morning or afternoon sails for ~$30, morning, & $40, afternoon. Need reservations early - www.senecadaysails.com
South end of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca Farmers Market - good one. Organic & natural... Cayuga Inlet (canal), just after the first marina on the left there is creek entering and on the South shore there is a dock at the market. Fun to boat to if not too many other boats arrive at the same time. Lots of good stuff being harvested now!

Best,
Nate
 
Hi Rick from Maine----- I assume you are talking about the restaurant on Fall St. that we all ate at last year. I have receipts for the following:

Varsity--74 Fall St. 315-568-4131

Avicolli's--- 170 Fall St. 315-568-2233

Lin's Kitchen---71 Fall St. 315-568-0105 (this was possibly the one)

Harry B's---- 84 Fall St. 315-568-1600 (a little expensive but well worth it, really great Italian food, they are closed on Mondays)

Hopefully this will be of some help, I won't be in the area until after 9-12-06. Rich
 
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