Tthe Erie Canal

The Historic Erie Canal
( cruising in the PAST lane )

t takes approximately five (5) days to cruise the 338 miles between Waterford, NY and Buffalo on the Erie

Canal.

The Erie Canal begins at the Hudson River at Waterford, just north of Albany, and meets the Niagara

River at

Tonawanda, NY just north of Buffalo.

All total the NYS Canal System is 338 miles, has 57 locks and 20 lift bridges. All Canal System lock

dimensions

will accommodate vessels 300 feet long, and 43.5 feet wide, with 9 foot drafts. The only real

restriction for a Great

Looper is the height of your vessel above the water. It needs to be less then 15' 6" if you

plan to cruise the full

length of the Erie Canal to Lake Erie. Otherwise, a 20' clearance will take you to Three

Rivers where you can exit

via the Oswego Canal into Lake Ontario.

The Erie Canal System locks and lift bridges typically operate from early May to early November (dependent

upon

weather). Locks and lift bridges operate daily during peak navigation season (late May to early

September) from 7:

00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Hours are reduced during 'off peak' periods of the navigation

season.

The depths of the Erie Canal varies based on the amount of rainfall and although its intended depth is 12 to 14

feet; its actual depth is usually closer to 9 feet.

With two exceptions, the clearances for navigating under bridges crossing the Erie Canal are all greater then

19'

1" (the height you will have to clear in Chicago). The exceptions are at the entrance of the Syracuse inner

Harbor

which is 16' 6" and again after the Three Rivers Junction in Tonawanda which is 15' 6". So without

taking any

detours off the main canal, you will have to clear 15' 6" to make it all the way to Lake Erie. If you

can't do this, you

will have to exit the Erie Canal at the Oswego Canal and pass through Lake Ontario.

(NOTE: From Lake Ontario, you can go through the Welland Canal to Lake Erie, or travel through Canada's

Heritage Canal System (Trent-Severn Waterway) to Lake Huron. Either way you go... just remember you can

not

avoid or bi-pass that 19' 1" low bridge on the Illinois Waterway out of Chicago. That is the absolutely lowest

bridge

you must go under.

There is a canal speed limit on the NYS Canal System where NYS navigation law dictates a 5 mph canal

speed

limit in most areas and a 10mph limit in others. There is also a toll for boaters to use the Canal. Tolls, of

course,

are based on your vessel size. It cost $50.00 for a 10 day pass for boats over 39' in 2009 (smaller

boats a little

less).

Cruising the Erie Canal is a long (5 days), and a very slow cruise. Between moments of sheer excitement and

reaching for your camera, there are long stretches of the canal where your own personal thoughts will seem to

the only thing to change. By the time your done - you'll be itching to give your vessel full-throttle and put a

little break-

neck speed back into your journey. More importantly, you'll be very thrilled over having shared this

incredible

experience.

Each day is a new adventure far from the maddening
crowd. Each day is a lesson in history, nature, and
patience. It won't be until you reach Rochester, NY that
you will catch a glimpse of vehicles whizzing by at 70
miles an hour - a reminder that “life in the fast lane” is
just a short distance away. And still, you won't
acknowledge how enjoyable this journey has been until
you realize no one aboard (even the kids) has even
mentioned the word: telephone, television, or
computer.
The Erie Canal is living ”life in the past lane” - and
boating on the Erie Canal is a perfect experience for
all ages.

Cruising the Erie Canal is life in the past lane - not
in the fast lane. Not only are you cruising at around
5 mph, you are also traveling through one of the
most historic and beautiful parts of the country.
Your days on the Canal will pass in timeless
relaxation. Many of the canal towns have parks
that provide free electrical and water connections,
and when you tie up in the late afternoon, there is
plenty of time for a bike ride, fishing, or visiting a
local attraction before dinner.

Locks, Lift bridges, and Lots to Learn...
( like how to raise your vessel 565 ft. above sea level
without ever getting out of your boat )

Your journey across the Erie Canal

If you have young kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews, etc., and any thoughts or desire whatsoever of having

them

join you on any portion of the Great Loop - this is the time and the place.

The Erie Canal offers not only an enjoyable trip but an incredible educational experience. The slow, easy going

pace of the canal makes it very safe, and provides ample opportunities to stop most anywhere along the way.

There are museums, nature trails, bike trails, Caves, Waterfalls, (even an underground boat tour). You'll see

Fish,

Deer, Geese, Ducks, and even a few "Golden Arches" along the way.

During peak navigation season, from late May

during

other periods of the navigation season.

Clearances for

navigating under bridges that cross

the Canal System

are: 20 feet for the Oswego

Canal and the Erie Canal

(from Waterford to Three

Rivers Junction), 17 feet for

the Champlain Canal,

and 15.5 feet for the

Cayuga-Seneca Canal and

the Erie Canal (from Three

Rivers Junction to

Tonawanda).

approximately 9 feet deep. It takes an average of

approximately 20 minutes to go through a lock.

However, in most cases, you may wait that long

again,

for opposite boat traffic to lock through.

To truly appreciate New York's Canals you can't be

landlubber. From May through September the

Erie

Canal truly comes alive. Marinas on the canal

provide

a full range of services for transient

boaters. You can

tie up and explore quiet, 19th-

century canal towns,

walk or bicycle to nearby

wineries for a tour and a

taste, then dine aboard or

eat out at any number of the

fabulous canal side (or

at least very near by)

restaurants. There are many

quaint inns, Bed &

Breakfasts, Historical

landmarks, and waterside

attractions. The Canal

museums in Camillus, is a must

see, and Utica has

a great Canal Museum for kids.

For sure, when voyaging the Erie canal, you will

come

to see life from a different perspective. A

solitary blue

heron, flocks of geese, small heard of

deer, and even

salmon swimming up stream are

often in view as you

slowly traverse from one end of

the canal to the other.

Between the small towns and

villages, the journey is

most often very quiet,

peaceful and relaxing - as well

as thought

provoking. It is a time when being on your

boat,

moving over the quiet, calm, still waters of the

canal

- has a way of making you put your entire life in

prospective - and realizing what really is important

your life - and what is not.

You will collect this wonderful experience and a

thousand other cherished moments and memories,

your voyage through the Erie Canal.

Street traffic will stop. The bridge will raise.
People will get out of their cars just to watch you can cruise past.

Capt John's America's Great Loop