Cruising the New York Canals
Over the past 12 years, Jane and I have done quite a few trips on the New York Canal System. While this waterway does not get the press and tourism that the Canadian Canals (Trent-Severen and Rideau) do, it is none the less a great boating destination and even a better bargain.
Some information if you have never been on the New York Canals:
The system is actually comprised of several different canals. On the far east end is the Champlain canal, which goes north from the Hudson to Lake Champlain. The Erie or Barge Canal starts at the Hudson river and heads west. Continuing west on the Erie, we hit the Oswego River, which will take you north to Lake Ontario. A bit west of the Oswego is the Cayuga-Seneca Canal which will take you south to Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. Finally, on the western most point of the Erie Canal is the Niagara River, which will take you to Lake Erie. The entire system contains over 450 miles of waterway.
Speed The speed limit is 10 mph in many places, including the entire stretch west of Clyde and any man-made stretch. Once east of Clyde, the speed limit is 30-45 mph in river sections. Locks will take you 15-20 minutes per lock, so you need to relax and take your time on the canal, plan on no more than 50 or 60 miles a day. Regardless of the posted speed, please be aware that there is a 5mph speed limit the entire length of the canal when passing walls, docks or boats. Also any man-made sections of the canal are always 10mph.
Locks are not difficult, and it is rare that you ever have to share a lock with another boat, except on busy weekends. The lockmasters are for the most part friendly and will give you information on the local area if you ask. On the westernend of the canal you will be faced with 17 lift bridges. These are fun, simply call the bridge master on channel 13 when you have the bridge in sight and they will usually have it up when you are ready to pass. It is neat watching the cars stack up waiting while you enjoy the prvilege of passing under the bridge. Be aware that some operators man several bridges, so you will occasionally have to wait while they return from their other bridge. We find this is a good time to make a snack or a simple lunch.
Fees: This is the good part - you have your choice of a one day, 2 day, 10 day or season pass. All are very reasonable,for our new 35' trawler we pay just $75 for an entire season. This includes unlimited locking and bridges, as well as free mooring at most of the locks.
Fuel: Finding fuel especially on the western end of the canal can be a challenge. If you have a diesel powered boat and are heading east from Tonawanda, be aware that the first diesel fuel stop is in Macedon, about 60 miles or so east of Tonawanda. Gasoline is available in Greece at Alan's Marina, about 40 miles east of Tonawanda. Some boats carry plastic jerry cans to take on shore to get fuel, as shore based gas stations are plentiful along the canal.
Here are some of the ports we have stayed at and our opinions. Please be aware that things change from year to year, so call or write ahead to confirm details. Also note that while we like to stay at facilities that have free or low cost docking, there are some full sevice marinas along the canal that offer transient dockage and boater facilties. Most are fairly reasonable, usually around $1 per foot or so for overnight dockage.
Ports East to West on the Erie Canal that we have visited:
Waterford- Great facility boosting free dockage, power, restrooms and even free coffee in the morning. Get here early, as it fills up quickly with boaters beginning or ending their canal voyage. Not alot in town, the grocery store is a real hike, you have to walk over a bridge that spans the Hudson. 2 nights free dockage, $10 per night after 2 nights.
Lock 8 - New low wall on west side of lock with a small park.
Amsterdam- There are 2 places to stay in Amsterdam. On the east side of Lock 11 you will find a newer facility, with clean restrooms, showers, laundry and a restaraunt on site. There are 2 observation towers you can climb (or take an elevator!) and get a great view of the canal. Dockage is $1 per foot including power. On the west side of Lock 11 is Guy Park which features free dockage with 15 amp power. No restrooms or any facilities here.
LittleFalls - Totally refubished in 2003, this is a great stop to spend a day or 2. Very scenic area nestled between the hills. Village is a short walk away and has many stores and restaurants. Staff is ultra-friendly here and will do anything to please. Neat clean facilites and the scenic area make it well worth a stop. We understand that Little Falls now charges by the foot to stay overnight.
Lock 20- There is a beautiful little park on the west side of Lock 20. Small floating dock with room for 2 or 3 boats. Free 15 and 50amp power, restroom facilities in park. We stayed here in 2005.
Sylvan Beach - Tie up for free on either north or south wall. North wall is preferable to get into town. No power or facilities. Easy walk into town with tons of restaurants and a small amusement park. Nice stop, we stayed here for the first time in 2005.
Brewerton - Great town to fill your tank, it appears the marinas here are all battling for the transient business and low gas and diesel prices are the norm. Try Winter Harbor for the best prices and great service. They also offer overnight dockage including the use of a courtesy car. For free tie-ups, Brewerton has 2 spots, both are just east of the railroad bridge. On the south side there is a wall that faces some condominiums, we stayed here. No facilities, but a great pizza parlor a short walk away. On the north side are more extensive floating docks with several restuarants close by. No facilites here either.
Baldwinsville -Another great stop for the night, since if you are heading west it is about 25 miles until the next town. Baldwinsville has a great park with plenty of free dockage. Great little town with many great restaurants and stores within waking distance. Boater 20 amp power was installed in 2010
Ithaca- Ithaca is not really on the canal, it is about 44 miles south at the end of Cayuga Lake. However, if you have the time, by all means make the trip! Cayuga is a beautiful lake 40+ miles long and about a mile wide, set in a valley that is home to many wineries. The lake itself is a short 2 or 3 mile jaunt down the Cayuga Senca canal and through one lock. At the southern end of the lake you will find Ithaca. We stayed at the Allen Tremain State Marina, which boasts huge grass meadows and miles of jogging and bike trails. Dockage was only $19 per night when we stayed, a true bargain. The town is a short bike ride away, and features both mega-supermarkets and quaint boutiques. There are also several waterfront restaruants with dockage for dinner. This city fast became one of our favorites. There is a National and Enterprise car rental in town, rent a car and do a Finger Lakes wine tour.
Seneca Falls- Seneca Falls is on the Cayuga Seneca Canal, about 8 miles south of the Erie Canal junction. Very scenic city, you are greeted by the beautiful Trinity Church as you approach the town. Free tie-ups with 30 amp power and water. Restrooms available in the vistors center during business hours, no showers. Be warned that this is a very popular destination for the local boaters, get here early in the week if you are planning to visit. The docks filled up by Wednesday when we were here in 2004.
Lock 25 - We stayed here in 2006. Real rural setting, but well kept. Long wall with not much to tie to. No power or facitlies. Good stop if you are heading west, as this is about 30 miles from Lock 24. Not much in between the 2 locks unless you want to detour to Seneca Falls.
Lyons-This small village has nice tie ups with 20 and 30 amp power. Showers and restroom facilities are available in the fire hall on he north side of the canal. There is a McDonalds a short walk away, always a nice change on a trip like this, especially for breakfast. Once again, there is no charge to stay here. Lyons has upgraded their walls and facilities in 2010
Newark-A true gem on the Erie. Newark has all new facilities including laundry, 30 amp power, restrooms and showers, a reception room and all of this is free. There are many restaurants and stores within walking distance and the staff here is super friendly. A coin-op pumpout is also available. This town soon became one of our favorite stops during our 2004 NYC trip.
In 2009 Newark added pressed concrete walkways and some gorgeous murals
Palmyra- Free tie ups with 30amp power and water. Not much nearby. We pulled in here in 2005 but decided not to stay. You may get rocked pretty bad as boats coming down the canal can't see this little marina until they are right on top of it. We had 2 boats blow by in the 30 minutes we were docked. Coin-op pumpout on site, but you will need to have your own fitting.
Fairport- Fairport has one of the nicer facilities on the canal. Both sides here are brick paved and landscaped with 30 amp power and water. The restroom facilities here are top notch,the showers are private rooms. The town itself is quite busy, with many offices and small boutiques lining the main street. However, there is no grocery or video store within walking distance. As a side note, the trains here can be annoying, they seem to run through the town on a pretty regular basis.Fairport charges a small fee to stay overnight. ($6-$10 based on length) There is a car show on the north side of the canal every Tuesday night.
City of Rochester - head north on the Genesee river at the junction of the Erie canal and 4 miles down river you will come to the City of Rochester's boater facilities at Corn Hill. Nice new wall with power and water, no charge to stay here in 2010. Water is very shallow on the southern end of the wall, if you draft over 3', try to get a spot behind the tour boat, you will find 6'-8' of depth there. Easy walk into downtown Rochester and High Falls visitor area,
Spencerport- Brand new (2011) wood docks on the east side of the bridge. Very close to the Welcome Center and restrooms. On the west side of the bridge you will find more docking with 30amp power and water. Grocery store and restarants within walking distance. No charge to stay overnight here. A new Tops supermarket opened in 2010, an easy walk from the docks. Spencerport also has a free pumpout station right outside of the bridgemaster's office.
Brockport-Brockport is about 7 or 8 miles west of Spencerport. Brockport has a movie theater and many stores and restaurants within walking distance. Newer reception center with restrooms, showers and computers. There is a free pumpout just west of the Main Street bridge. Brockport charges a small fee to stay overnight. .
Holley- We stayed here on our last trip of 2003. All new wood docks and boater facilities. The bridgemaster will give you the combo to the electronic locks for the restrooms and showers. 30 amp power and water available. There is a trail that winds through a pretty park that takes you into the village. Holley has a few shops in town, no groceries. Very nice stop, most people pass this right by. Once again, no charge for all of this. There is a pretty waterfall in the little park east of the docks.
Albion- Albion has tons of free docking on both sides of the wall between the bridges with power and water. There are restrooms on the south side. Not many boats stop here. Not too much in town, but probably worth a stay sometime. We stayed overnight here on our way to Fairport in 2010. Nice little park with Gazebo at the east end of the wall. Police station right across from park.
Medina-Medina has a nice little marina with floating docks for small boats and wall tie ups for larger craft. Restrooms and showers available, and the best free pumpout station on the canal. They have every fitting you could possibly need all cabled to the pumpout hose. No charge to stay here, call the bridgemaster for the combo to the restrooms. Try Avanti Pizza if you stop here, best pizza place in the area. Also check out Zambistro restaurant just the other side of Main Street. Great upscale dining at a reasonable price. There is also a waterfall on the north side of the canal that is worth a look.
Middleport - Due to it's proximity to Buffalo, this is one of the busiest ports on the canal. It is nothing to find 20 or 30 boats moored on the walls here. 30 amp power, and if you are lucky, a water hook up. Restrooms are in the DPW garage. There is a nice restaurant, The Basket Factory, within walking distance. Chicken wings at Ponys, a local bar are spectacular. There is a Wilson Farms within walking distance for limited groceries.
Gasport-Four miles west of Middleport. 30 amp power, a pizza joint and bar with great Beef on Weck sandwiches within walking distance. Well stocked hardware store within walking distance with a propane filling station.
Lock 35 - on the west side of Lock 35, you can tie up on the north side of the lock. They have power hookups and you can walk into town or check out the small canal museum on the lock grounds, There is only room for 2 boats here, check with the lockmaster if you want to stay.
Tonawanda- At the western end of the Canal, Tonawanda has a great park with free concerts during the summer on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. This is a very popular spot with the local boaters, and it is next to impossible to get a spot during the annual canal fest and when the big bands are in town. Sunday eves through Tuesday are the best days to find a slip. Tonawanda charges $15 per night to stay over. 30 amp power, restrooms and showers available. Many stores and restaurants within walking distance. There is also a pumpout here for $2.
Ports South to North on the Champlain Canal that we have visited:
Mechanicville- A great free port. They have space here for about 10 boats on the wall. Plenty of free 30 amp power and water. There is a free pumpout here as well on the north end of the wall, but we found that boats will tie here and block access even though there are signs that indicate no docking except for pumpout. There is a laundromat a short walk from the boat and a new Price Chopper supermarket less than one mile away.
FortEdward- Free tie ups with 30 amp power and water. Follow the marked channel on the west side of lock C7 to get there. Channel can be shallow in spots and in front of the wall. Not much in town. Wall is very high and it can be difficult to get off your boat.
Whitehall - Another free tie-up, power has been turned off as of 2011. Nice maritime museum close by. Concerts in the park adjacent to the wall. Tops supermarket within walking distance and a marine store about 1/2 mile north. Not much in town, but there were some signs of revitilization when we visited in 2005.