Champlain Canal

Audrey II

Audrey II

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I'm starting to plan a trip for next season to lake Champlain, I have been as far as lock 7 a number of years ago in my last boat. I'm looking for some advice, concerns and suggestions to make this a great trip. My last boat was a bit smaller and much less draft this is me fist concern water depth and clearances I hope to be traveling with a friend that has a higher clearance that concerns me a little. I have been to a couple of nice stops that I plan to return to and visit again but I have never been past lock 7 and have little knowledge as to places to go stop and see. Also are there any special rules or regulations in the lake as to through holes and bilge pumps. I know some lakes do not allow any gray water over board. Have any of you made this trip and can share some input that would be great. I have been reading the nycanal.com site and there is lots of info but there is nothing better than to hear from others that have made the trip and know things to avoid, dangers as well as fun stops and things to see.

Thanks for any advice.
 
Dave,

Great post, this cruise is on my bucket list and am debating doing it next summer as well. This would be a 3 weeker for us so just not sure. I've searched the web but have not really found much info on Lake Champ cruising. The NY canal website is helpful for describing the canal. I had a similar post to this in the Hudson forum maybe 4 years ago when I had my old boat and this was a pipe dream. I'll go back and some point and try to dig it up but several people posted helpful links and info.
 
Dave, We did that trip several times, and were thinking about doing it again, so I bought some new books, I believe I still have my books and charts, I'll check and let you know. You don't have to worry about draft, there is plenty of water. How high is your friend's boat?

Not sure of the rules on thru-hulls for grey water, but your waste discharge must be "disabled".
 
Dave- (I owe you a phone call)

We're thinking about this for next year too. Let us know your plans. The Stewarts (you've met them) would likely join us.
 
Hogan Please let me know if you have the books that could be a big help. The other boat is a 38 Silverton Spot Bridge. When I spent a night in Fort Edwards I remember thinking that there was not a lot of water in the area and at the time I only had a 29" draft but I could be wrong it was about 10 years ago.

Ben Please call me it's actually about your boat but I can't find your number. As for the trip it's a real good idea to bring your friends they will prove to be very helpful handling the drop lines in the locks. The last time I went through the locks I had another people on board as well. I was a great trip and they are interested in coming again.

Prosective these are a couple of sites you might want to check out
http://www.nycanals.com/Champlain_Canal
http://www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/boating/bridgeheights.html
I'm sure this thread will get updated as I gather info in the months to come hopefully it will come in handy to others as well.
 
The bridge heights would be a show stopper for me. Looks like a great trip.
Bill
 
We had to give up going up there because Freedom is about 2 feet too tall at 17.5. If you get up on the lake we enjoyed Mallet's Bay, and others have recommended Virgenes (sp?). I think the Champlain is more scenic than the Erie.
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

We had to give up going up there because Freedom is about 2 feet too tall at 17.5. If you get up on the lake we enjoyed Mallet's Bay, and others have recommended Virgenes (sp?). I think the Champlain is more scenic than the Erie.

Click to expand...

Dan so what you're saying is the clearance is only 15.5? that could be a problem.
I'm not sure how this works but they list the clearance at normal pool and max pool at normal pool the lowest clearance is 17 feet at max pool the lowest clearance is 14.2 and this is not the same bridge which I thought odd. being there are no tides how does the pool cycles work or is it simply based on rain fall and unpredictable? I'm basing my info of this site if someone can explain this I would appreciate it.
http://www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/boating/bridgeheights.html
Remember I'm looking at the Champlain Canal info
 
It's a great trip, Dave. Like Mike and Dan, we've made the trip several times as well. Water depth may be less than you're used to, but we've always found it plenty deep - If tugboats can transit the canal, I'm sure you can too!

We've stayed at Westport NY, as well as Plattsburg, and at the waterfall in Vergennes, VT. We'd recommend a day in Vergennes', some time in Burlington, and a trip to plattsburg as well. It's probably worth it to get the latest Lake Champlain cruising guide for more details.
 
Dave,

Thanks, I've checked those websites. Very helpful. Regarding the bridge clearance and pool height, my understanding from reading a couple of blogs is that one calls ahead to the lock operator (phone seems to be preferred) to check bridge clearance if it could be an issue. They can have the pool height lowered to accomdate a higher bridge clearance by draining water at the lower lock via a spill-way. Not sure on the details. It wouldn't be an issue for my boat so I have not investigated.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Prospective

Dave,

Thanks, I've checked those websites. Very helpful. Regarding the bridge clearance and pool height, my understanding from reading a couple of blogs is that one calls ahead to the lock operator (phone seems to be preferred) to check bridge clearance if it could be an issue. They can have the pool height lowered to accomdate a higher bridge clearance by draining water at the lower lock via a spill-way. Not sure on the details. It wouldn't be an issue for my boat so I have not investigated.

Click to expand...

My boat won't be an issue either however the 38' sport bridge has a 16' clearance an this may be a problem. I'm looking forward to planning several trips this coming season but I think this trip requires a bit more planning to insure a good safe trip.
 
I need to do more searching for the books, I know I bought them recently, not sure where I put them.
 
No rush I have months I'm just gathering info at this point. Although I have the mapsoure program from Garmin I don't have the charts beyond the first lock. I may purchase the newer program that would let me use my G2 charts then I could plan this trip from home and get a better feel for this trip I my stop and pick it up. I would love to read the books as well they usually have incite as to good places to stop and visit.
 
Many of us who have done the trip have stayed at Whitehall Marina and/or Lock 12 Marina and eaten at the Finch & Chubb, all on the Champlain side of Lock 12 in Whitehall. I'm not sure what the status is at this point, but they may not be around in the spring. A real shame.
See this article.
I would also highly recommend Wilsboro Bay in addition to what's been mentioned for a beautiful, quiet spot.
 
That is a shame, we would always stay at the Lock 12 marina on our trips to Champlain. The Finch & Chubb was a great place to eat.
 
Dave it does vary depending on the weather. All I know is that at roughly 17.5 we don't have a chance. Everything would have to be optimal and then they would have to drop the pool a bit. It's a shame they did not build the bridges a bit higher because they are most likely loosing quite a bit of traffic.
At 16 feet I think your friend might make it, but I'd look into improving that by lowering whatever I could. We did the trip in a 1987 Silverton 37C and standing on the fly I could touch the lower bridges easily.
 
Dan I'm looking forward to this trip as you can tell by the fact I starting to plan so early. I have suggested that we all go on my boat I think it would be easier and safer. I'm trying to compile as much info as possible before planning the whole trip out. I found it to be very relaxing on the last trips into the locks my only regret was not making all the way through. This time I want to make it to Lake Champlain and do a little sight seeing. With a good crew the locks are fun with out good hands I have seen it get ugly. I saw a sailboat loose grip and run wild as they filled the lock but no one got hurt so all was well.

I Really need to pick up the Garmin software maybe I'll order it on line today.

Just ordered it from Boatfix it's only $29.95 how can you go wrong it you have a Garmin that is.
 
Dave, interesting point on "good hands" for the locks. I have read the general proceedures for locking thru and understand that they have lines that extend down to hold to except for the federal lock which has fixed bars. At any rate, my crew would be my wife and I plus kids.. 12yr old daughter is the oldest plus two 9yr olds and a 5yr old.. Based on your experience do you think I would have any trouble? It doesn't sound hard from the descriptions, particularly for a twin screw powerboat but just wondering what you think.
 
We have done the locks several times, just my wife and myself - never had any problems. I would not hesitate to do it with just one other person on board.
 
We did the Welland, Oswego and Erie canals for a total of 33 locks this summer and neither one of us had ever done a lock before. My wife was really nervous before leaving but it wasn’t necessary as we had no problems. Sometimes I found boat handlinggetting it on the wall a bigger deal than the up or down part because of the swirling water and the winds.

Good luck
Niles
 
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