Erie Canal

K

kenny chaos

New member
Hi Folks-

An Offer- I see many enjoy the use of the Erie Canal and read that some seek places to leave their vehicles. We have a farm that backs up to the canal with plenty of space for parking. We have no dock on the canal but there is a nice launch about four miles from here. If I can help, let me know. We're on the western end, somewhere between Rochester and Buffalo.

A Question- I have a 1970 23' O'Day pop top sailboat in the barn. It's the one with the whole cabin roof that lifts giving six foot plus of headroom. The plan was to make a little cruiser out of it to enjoy the canals around here. Damed if I didn't stumble over a C-Dory and now I'm not so sure. If I was to redo the electrical, plumbing, canvas curtains and bimini, get anchors, ropes, electronics, etc., it would work real nice around here but it would still be an old sailboat. On the other hand, a C-Dory would be so much more flexible, newer, none of the hours of toil involved, and we could do an infinite amount more with it, I think.
Thanks for sharing some ideas with me about this.

Kenny-
 
Kenny-

Thanks for the offer from all the C-Brats living back in your side of the country that can take advantage of it! (I'm almost 3000 miles away, myself!)

As for your question, the C-Dory would definitely be a better financial investment, and far easier to re-sell later, if you were ever to need to do so.

Plus the C-Dory would be a much more useful boat in a greater variety of ways!

Boating equipment is expensive, and adding a lot of it to the 1970 O'Day would be kind of a money pit of no return, IMHO.

Right now the boating market is slow and prices are depressed, so if your potential C-Dory purchase is reasonable, why not make the smart decision?

The biggest downside will probably finding a home for the sailboat at a price that seems OK to you.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do!

Joe. :teeth :thup (Who raced sailboats for 33 years, and loved every minute of it!)
 
The C Dory will be a much more practical power boat. The O Day, will still be a tiller steered sailboat, with out a mast. You will not have shelter from the wind and rain, etc--plus be limited to a speed of 5 to 6 knots. The C Dory will be shoaler draft--have better accomidations and cockpit. It will have speeds up to 30 mph, be easier to handle and dock. etc.

I would go for the C Dory (from an Old Sailor--who said over 30 years ago, when I first saw one, that when I got old, I was getting a C Dory)....
 
thataway":2xmiorcf said:
...

I would go for the C Dory (from an Old Sailor--who said over 30 years ago, when I first saw one, that when I got old, I was getting a C Dory)....
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Umm, me too, even though I'm not "old." Well, compared to dirt. 8)

Once you've had the protection of that inside helm station, it would be hard to go back. Another great feature of the C-Dory vs a small sailboat: you have a great view from anyplace in the cabin... no "going below" for anyone. Of course, if you need that "get away from the world" feeling, you can always close off the v-berth. You still get a great cockpit to kick back in and enjoy the sunsets. And, did I mention the protection of that inside helm station?

Good luck with your decisions. Oh, and the real "cost" of a boat is not just what you pay when you buy it. Subtract out what you will get for it when you sell it. Cost of operation while you have it. And all those days you get to use it... days when it's raining, or the wind is howling, or it's cold, or it's hot, or the sun is absolutely blazing. In case I didn't mention it, there's something to be said for the protection of that inside helm. Really.

Best wishes,
Jim B. (another sailor-boy who really likes that inside helm)
 
You would get a boat that would be usable 8-10 months a yr vs. 6 months With the Pilot house and a heater you could use your boat in Dec . You might have to pick your days but it could be done .
With some land you could keep both boats ( no storage fees)have the best of both worlds .We have had a variety of boats (no sail boat)but the Pilothouse c-dory is so nice even in florida with it's shoal draft and and sun protection it works for us .
 
Hi Kenny
If your O'Day is a fixed fin your draft will keep you out of a lot of areas the C-Dory can go. If its a swing keel, you will be dragging around a lot of unnecessary weight. We are former sailors from the SF Bay Area and now own a C-Dory in central NY state (not too far from you) and as far as the Erie canal, connecting rivers and lakes go the C-Dory is hard to beat. Especially, as has been pointed out, the weather factor in our area. With the large main cabin, inside steering and cockpit canvas the frequent summer rains don't keep us from using the boat.

We kept the boat in the water at the Rome marina last season but next year plan on trailering, where is the launch you mentioned that is 4 miles from your home? We would like to explore the western area canal more by trailering to a start point.

Thanks and good luck with your boat, whatever it is, you'll have a nice long cold winter to ponder your choices!

Rich
 
Thanks for all the good ideas.
The O'Day was a good idea a year ago but things have changed, for the better. I haven't worked in three years and have retired from looking for someone else to make money for. We hope to sell the farm in a couple years and do some very extensive cruising. That'll give us money for a better boat and extra to live on.
I've researched everything from a monohull sailboat, to a catamaran, to a trawler, and now the C-Dory. It looks to fit the bill perfectly.
The "Admiral" is eager as ever.
As I read in another thread here somewhere, yes, our little Walmart canal villages are now rampant with drugs and alcohol. Pretty much like too many other places. But, I imagine that experienced cruisers have their own security plans in place. I've spent a real good part of my 53 years living along the canal and it is very charming and nobody should be deterred from experiencing it out of fear.
Things come up but I believe a couple of days on this forum have forever changed the course of our lives. That's pretty cool.

For Rich-
#4 on this map was where I was referencing;
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_ ... nalbls.pdf

Thank-you all very much.

P.S. The last thing we need to do is actually step inside a 22 C-Dory before we look to buy. (hint,hint)

Thanks again-
Kenny-
 
Hi Kenny,

My wife and I spent many years enjoying the canal. Over the years we used 3 different boats. A Nimble Nomad, an RF246 Rosbourgh and a 22 ft C-Dory. The dory was probably the best of the lot. It had the speed that was nice for the eastern end of the canal. It was seaworthy enough to use on Lake Champlain and the Niagara River into Buffalo.

The enclosed pilot house protects you from the sun and the rain. One year in July we had rain for 7 days. It was really nice to be inside dry and warm. At night we used a small electric heater. The glass around the pilot house always gave us a good view.
We always felt sorry for the sailors on the canal out in the cold rain all day.

My former C-Dory is now owned called Snickers and is berthed at the home base of the canal boats west of Newark. The owners name is Jim. Look him up.

Fred, Pat and Mr. Grey(the cat)
 
We live in Rochester, within 10 miles of the Canal. We also have a cottage in Barker. That is where we keep our CD-22 most of the time. We can put it into L. Ontario at Golden Hill SP within 15 minutes.

Our most frequent launch into the Canal is Lockport, which we have found to be the best for miles in either direction. We find the CD-22 perfect for the Canal.
 
Wayne McCown":1iap9hf9 said:
We live in Rochester, within 10 miles of the Canal. We also have a cottage in Barker. That is where we keep our CD-22 most of the time. We can put it into L. Ontario at Golden Hill SP within 15 minutes.

Our most frequent launch into the Canal is Lockport, which we have found to be the best for miles in either direction. We find the CD-22 perfect for the Canal.
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Is Lockport good for leaving your trailer and tow vehicle for several days?

Anybody else that have sugestions for a great place to leave a tow rig for several days would be much appreciated.
 
lloyds":2vslikyp said:
What are the best months for the canal in that area as far as weather, crowds?
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I haven't been out in a few days but with the weather we've been having, I'd say anyday now you could go skating on it with absolutely no crowds. This year it closed November 15 and it was only a couple days before they started letting the water out. There's always a couple of feet of water left which we used to skate on when we were kids.
I met a fella this last spring who had bought a 50' sailboat in Va. and was taking it to Canada via the canal and lake erie and he said he was held up in Albany because he was unaware there was no water in the canal!!
I haven't done a lot of cruising on it so I'll leave that to others to comment on but I've never seen it crowded (maybe the Waterford Tug Fest).
The middle of July it can get a little sticky with temps almost hitting 90.
I do want to also mention that there is an incredibly well groomed path, regularly maintained, along the canal. People from all over the world are now showing up to bike this path. It'd be fun to have one handle the boat while the other got some exercise following along side? Just a thought.
E-me if anyone passes thru. I like to visit with brats. I raised two of my own don't ya know.
Leftover Spumante from a recent wedding is calling me (54 today).
Sundowners?
 
lloyds":setah0cn said:
What are the best months for the canal in that area as far as weather, crowds?
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Last year, we were on the Erie Canal in July and August (should be the busiest months) and I was surprised at how NON-busy it was. When I asked local folks if canal traffic was down because of the economy, I was told that it was about normal. There were cruising days where we only passed a few boats either direction. On occasion, there were a couple other boats in any given lock passage, but often as not we were in there by ourselves. Never a problem finding a place to stop for the night (although we most often did pull in early). If there was a concert or festival in a town, the walls (dockage) would fill up, but that was a real rarity.

We did run into some rainy days, but it was not a problem with the C-Dory... well, easy for me to say, 'cause the Blonde was the one who went up on the bow.

JoanRain2e.jpg

Non-stress cruising, with crowds, pace, and places to visit. :thup

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Sorry I did not see your question about the RF-246 until today.

The Rosborough is a fine boat. We used ours to cruise the Chesapeake Bay and Florida areas from Ft Lauderdale across the ICW and the west coast from Naples to Captiva. Ours was powered with a V-6 Mercruiser Bravo-II. It used a lot more fuel than our 90 HP Honda on our 22-C-Dory. For the canal the deeper V hull is just not needed.

Our 22 was just a very simple boat that traveled with out much fuss or fuel. The flatter bottom never pounded on the canal. It sure was sea worthy enough to cross any lakes on the canal with out worry. Locking thru was a one person job. Many times I just reached out the pilot house window and grabbed one line. We got 4 to 5 MPG on the canal. We dumped the port a potty in Jiffy Johns located at some locks and many boat launches.
With out an electric refer we just used ice and were not worried if we could not find dockage with electric. The much lighter boat was much easier to haul-4200 lbs loaded as opposed to 8000 lbs for the RF 246.

If were buying a boat today it would be another 22 foot C-Dory.
 
RE: Lockport launch.

Locally, the launch is referred to as Widewaters. There are docks along both sides of the launch, which is wide enough for two boats to put in or pull out simultaneously. These docks extend a long ways, longer than needed for the CD (most docks at launch sites along the Canal are too short).

Alongside the launch is a marina, which I estimate could accomodate 40 boats, although I have never seen more than 10 at a time. The first night or two is free. The site also includes restrooms, showers for boaters, and a laundry. The marina is part of a public park that runs ca. .5 mile along the Canal, with multiple picnic tables, benches, etc. ( very nice). There is a fast food joint across the street.

There is plenty of parking (free), and not much used. I consider it fairly safe; I have parked there 1-2 nights several times.
 
Anybody else that have sugestions for a great place to leave a tow rig for several days would be much appreciated.
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We launched the boat in Schenectady NY - parked the truck for 2 weeks in a city lot - I think it was $50 for two weeks. Parked right next to the office.

We then cruised to Buffalo and took the Amtrak back to Schenectady - great cruise. Went from wild rough crazy lockage on the east end (had major rain day before we launched) to awesome canal towns on the west end.

Great cruise.
 
In answer/discussion or something to the post of Jim & Joan (aka JamesTXSD) , here goes.

First, the Eire Canal trip is one of the best you can have in the world. It is the equal of the Midi Canal in France. The people are wonderful, the history is great and the scenery is absolutely beautiful (in the summer.) I don't understand why it's not packed.

We cruised the Eire canal in 2002 in Our Journey. We went through in early June, with the boats returning from the Bahamas. I spent several weeks at the east entrance on the dock at Waterford waiting for Judy who in turn was waiting for a grandson to be born. The dock is crowded, because no boats were allowed through due to high water. We're the first boat in line, and don't ever carry the mast on the side. This was the only crowd we saw for the whole trip.
38_Waterford_waiting.jpg

Here's the Lockport Locks, still not crowded. The boat in front of us is a charted U-drive. They entered the lock and just stopped. I mentioned that they should move forward, they didn't and I went around just as the lock keeper closed the doors.
60_Lockport_E34_35.sized.jpg

Here's the west end at Tonawanda on Saturday night. Crowded but happy, for one night. Then we had the canal wall to ourselves.
62_Tonowanda_EOC.sized.jpg

And finally, Judy ready to leave a lock, happy as can be.
42b_No_smile_on_leave.sized.jpg

So, in summary, there are boats there, just not on your trip. I still don't understand why it's not a famous trip.

Boris
 
So, in summary, there are boats there, just not on your trip
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Ya, we did the trip this summer (July 2010) and had very few boats. The most boats that locked thru with us was 4 (and 3 of those were locals just going down 1 lock). Normally it was just us. Easy, fun, very few boats, relaxing, and on and on...
 
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