Hi everyone,
I thought I'd post a little bit of local knowledge in case anyone is pondering a canal trip in the next few weeks (and I hope you are!!).
Firstly, be prepared and study those !^%&! charts. The channels are windy and narrow and the markings can be a little suspect, as a few boaters have found out this year. Plus, I hear that sometimes the water levels are low (although they've looked normal when I've walked down to the water on both the Erie and Champlain waterways). Just be careful and use extra diligence.
The canals themselves are in pretty good shape considering the mess that Hurricane Irene made last year. West of my area, towards Locks 8-10 you'll see some remnants of the damage, but still the system is in operation around here.
Maintenance services are sparse here, so if you bust a prop you are in trouble. There are some services, but if your boat is bigger than 40 feet it will be a challenge to get it hauled. So far Shady Harbor and Coeymans' Landing have proven to be the best available for a haul. We do have a good marine transporter here in southern Saratoga County (Andersen Marine) so if you have a smaller vessel (less than about 42') Jon and his team can probably help you out. Call me at 518-522-7251 if you get in trouble.
Fuel... Get some before you get here LOL. Fuel docks are scarce on the canals too. Schuyler Yacht Basin in Schuylerville has Gas/Diesel, as does the Schenectady Yacht Club in Rexford on the Mohawk. Those would be your best bets in these waters. Heading farther north/west you should look ahead and know where the fuel stops are, because there arent many.
Dockage - that there is plenty of around here and they are really good options. Some are free, like the Waterford docks, Mechanicville docks, etc. Some cost $$$ but its worth it, such as Lock 1 Marina (Hudson) or Schenectady Yacht Club or Mohawk Valley Marina (Mohawk). There are some good marine repair shops and even a canvas shop up here - look at the July "Boating on the Hudson" for details.
Food - Stewarts Shops has locations near most of the docks, including one within sight of the free TEMPORARY tie up in Halfmoon. There's a Price Chopper across the Hudson from the Waterford docks, another fairly close to the docks in Mechanicville (kind of a long walk though). There are plenty of small restaurants such as the Klamsteam (Crescent - Mohawk River), Faldoni's and the Ugly Rooster (Mechanicville - Hudson) and a bunch up the street from the Waterford docks.
Cool Stuff to do - C'mon, its Saratoga in August. The Track is open till Sept 3, there's downtown Saratoga Springs and the Casino/Harness track too. But did you also know there are farms close by the water in Clifton Park? Or historic sights such as Historic Lock 19 (1842 - Clifton Park), The Mechanicville Yards and XO Tower, Saratoga Battlefield, miles of trails, museums in nearby Schenectady and the USS Slater in Albany??? Thats just to name a few.
So again, if you are coming up this way, call me at 518-522-7251 or email at pete at southernsaratoga.org and I'll help you find available services. Yes its my job, I run the local Chamber of Commerce. But its also fun to help fellow boaters. Just dont hit those !$%&^! rocks! And dont be afraid to ask questions, I'll try to help any way I can.
Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend, wherever you are...
I thought I'd post a little bit of local knowledge in case anyone is pondering a canal trip in the next few weeks (and I hope you are!!).
Firstly, be prepared and study those !^%&! charts. The channels are windy and narrow and the markings can be a little suspect, as a few boaters have found out this year. Plus, I hear that sometimes the water levels are low (although they've looked normal when I've walked down to the water on both the Erie and Champlain waterways). Just be careful and use extra diligence.
The canals themselves are in pretty good shape considering the mess that Hurricane Irene made last year. West of my area, towards Locks 8-10 you'll see some remnants of the damage, but still the system is in operation around here.
Maintenance services are sparse here, so if you bust a prop you are in trouble. There are some services, but if your boat is bigger than 40 feet it will be a challenge to get it hauled. So far Shady Harbor and Coeymans' Landing have proven to be the best available for a haul. We do have a good marine transporter here in southern Saratoga County (Andersen Marine) so if you have a smaller vessel (less than about 42') Jon and his team can probably help you out. Call me at 518-522-7251 if you get in trouble.
Fuel... Get some before you get here LOL. Fuel docks are scarce on the canals too. Schuyler Yacht Basin in Schuylerville has Gas/Diesel, as does the Schenectady Yacht Club in Rexford on the Mohawk. Those would be your best bets in these waters. Heading farther north/west you should look ahead and know where the fuel stops are, because there arent many.
Dockage - that there is plenty of around here and they are really good options. Some are free, like the Waterford docks, Mechanicville docks, etc. Some cost $$$ but its worth it, such as Lock 1 Marina (Hudson) or Schenectady Yacht Club or Mohawk Valley Marina (Mohawk). There are some good marine repair shops and even a canvas shop up here - look at the July "Boating on the Hudson" for details.
Food - Stewarts Shops has locations near most of the docks, including one within sight of the free TEMPORARY tie up in Halfmoon. There's a Price Chopper across the Hudson from the Waterford docks, another fairly close to the docks in Mechanicville (kind of a long walk though). There are plenty of small restaurants such as the Klamsteam (Crescent - Mohawk River), Faldoni's and the Ugly Rooster (Mechanicville - Hudson) and a bunch up the street from the Waterford docks.
Cool Stuff to do - C'mon, its Saratoga in August. The Track is open till Sept 3, there's downtown Saratoga Springs and the Casino/Harness track too. But did you also know there are farms close by the water in Clifton Park? Or historic sights such as Historic Lock 19 (1842 - Clifton Park), The Mechanicville Yards and XO Tower, Saratoga Battlefield, miles of trails, museums in nearby Schenectady and the USS Slater in Albany??? Thats just to name a few.
So again, if you are coming up this way, call me at 518-522-7251 or email at pete at southernsaratoga.org and I'll help you find available services. Yes its my job, I run the local Chamber of Commerce. But its also fun to help fellow boaters. Just dont hit those !$%&^! rocks! And dont be afraid to ask questions, I'll try to help any way I can.
Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend, wherever you are...