Meri Aura has returned from her northeast journey covering 695 nautical miles and 100 locks. A three-plus week adventure that started in mid-May.
We trailered approximately 700 miles from northern Michigan to Brewerton, NY and dropped in on Oneida Lake. We then traveled east on the Erie Canal to Waterford then north on the Hudson River to Lake Champlain via the Champlain Canal and on to the St. Lawrence via the Canadian Canal System on the Richileau River; West to Montreal and Ottawa via LaChine Canal, Bellevue and Carrilon locks; up the 8 locks at Ottawa entering the Rideau Canal system to Kingston, ON. We crossed Lake Ontario and reentered the US at Oswego, NY, took the Oswego Canal back to the Erie Canal and our starting point. A two-day trip returned us home.
All in all, it was a great trip and we'd like to share the following observations.
1. Camping on the boat worked out beautifully. We usually had breakfast and lunch aboard and would enjoy dinner out. We've been married over 50 years and a trip of only 3 divorces is considered a great success.
2, The boat and motors performed well. We managed one ding in the gelcoat when we met a concrete wall without sufficient bumper protection. Note: We requested a repair kit from C-Dory and received no reply. Hope to have it repaired locally. We found our 4 hp kicker (the engine from our Cape Cory Typhoon sailboat) is not quite enough in an emergency. We're trying an 8 hp Yamaha and will let you know how that works out.
3. Bumper covers are essential in the locks as most of the surfaces are very rough and grungy. Made our own using Sunbrella and our old faithful Sears sewing machine.
4. Advised to put the engines in gear while trailering to prevent prop spin, good advice.
5. NY State Canals season pass $50.....Canadian Canals.....$193 Cdn.
6. Trailered the boat with her cover on. Worked very well.
7. Cleaned the water stains after we got home with Bon Ami. Quick and easy.
8. There was a great deal of debris on the Erie Canal early in the season. Like running a slalom course. The prop shaft is now being straightened.
9. The Garmin electronic charts worked out well. We had back-up paper charts as well as guide books.
10. Weather really cooperated and we had only one layover day due to rain.
11. Aero-Marine on Oneida Lake stored our truck and trailer inside free of charge. A great spot run by good people; ideal place to start the trip with ethanol free fuel.
12, Montreal was the favorite stop. The marina is in the heart of Old Montreal. Close to everything and very accommodating. Everyone spoke English so our little translator stayed in its case.
That's our story. Thought you all would enjoy the essentials and we'll be happy to share more details with anyone wishing to duplicate the adventure. Note: We didn't travel West on the Erie since we had done a barge trip a couple of years ago that covered that part of the Canal.
Back on Lake Superior for the summer season. Hope to see more C-Dorys up our way. We'd be happy to host a gathering of one or twenty.
Free storage for trucks and trailers.
Cheers,
Hank and Pat Clow
We trailered approximately 700 miles from northern Michigan to Brewerton, NY and dropped in on Oneida Lake. We then traveled east on the Erie Canal to Waterford then north on the Hudson River to Lake Champlain via the Champlain Canal and on to the St. Lawrence via the Canadian Canal System on the Richileau River; West to Montreal and Ottawa via LaChine Canal, Bellevue and Carrilon locks; up the 8 locks at Ottawa entering the Rideau Canal system to Kingston, ON. We crossed Lake Ontario and reentered the US at Oswego, NY, took the Oswego Canal back to the Erie Canal and our starting point. A two-day trip returned us home.
All in all, it was a great trip and we'd like to share the following observations.
1. Camping on the boat worked out beautifully. We usually had breakfast and lunch aboard and would enjoy dinner out. We've been married over 50 years and a trip of only 3 divorces is considered a great success.
2, The boat and motors performed well. We managed one ding in the gelcoat when we met a concrete wall without sufficient bumper protection. Note: We requested a repair kit from C-Dory and received no reply. Hope to have it repaired locally. We found our 4 hp kicker (the engine from our Cape Cory Typhoon sailboat) is not quite enough in an emergency. We're trying an 8 hp Yamaha and will let you know how that works out.
3. Bumper covers are essential in the locks as most of the surfaces are very rough and grungy. Made our own using Sunbrella and our old faithful Sears sewing machine.
4. Advised to put the engines in gear while trailering to prevent prop spin, good advice.
5. NY State Canals season pass $50.....Canadian Canals.....$193 Cdn.
6. Trailered the boat with her cover on. Worked very well.
7. Cleaned the water stains after we got home with Bon Ami. Quick and easy.
8. There was a great deal of debris on the Erie Canal early in the season. Like running a slalom course. The prop shaft is now being straightened.
9. The Garmin electronic charts worked out well. We had back-up paper charts as well as guide books.
10. Weather really cooperated and we had only one layover day due to rain.
11. Aero-Marine on Oneida Lake stored our truck and trailer inside free of charge. A great spot run by good people; ideal place to start the trip with ethanol free fuel.
12, Montreal was the favorite stop. The marina is in the heart of Old Montreal. Close to everything and very accommodating. Everyone spoke English so our little translator stayed in its case.
That's our story. Thought you all would enjoy the essentials and we'll be happy to share more details with anyone wishing to duplicate the adventure. Note: We didn't travel West on the Erie since we had done a barge trip a couple of years ago that covered that part of the Canal.
Back on Lake Superior for the summer season. Hope to see more C-Dorys up our way. We'd be happy to host a gathering of one or twenty.
Free storage for trucks and trailers.
Cheers,
Hank and Pat Clow