Boat the Erie Canal

Floating Homes Along The Erie Canal

22 December 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Western Erie Canal

The Erie Canal, the eighth wonder of the world is currently celebrating the bi-centennial of its creation. It is one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world and it might be the most underutilized recreational resource within New York State. Organizations such as Canal NY actively work to promote the system as well as the businesses within the Erie Canal Corridor.

Erie Canal Floating homes is a program designed to

                1)Promote increased use of the Canal

                2)Enhance economic impact throughout the communities within the Erie Canal Corridor.

It’s all about the water right, and getting out on the water is the number one way to experience the canal.

People utilize the canal in three ways.

  • Boaters travel the Canal on their own boats, they visit communities along the Canal, on vacations and long weekends,
  •  They spend time on their boats at their home port marinas, or they use their boats as day boats for being out on the lakes, for activities such as fishing, tubing, raft ups at swim areas, or visiting dock & dines
  • People looking to visit the Canal can take advantage of day trips provided by tour operators, or even rent a boat for a week or more and chart their own course on the Canal.

The biggest challenge to boating the canal is time, the time necessary to experience the Canal.

The idea of encouraging the use of floating homes along the Canal system to allow for more tourists to travel to and experience the Canal is exciting.

There are basically two different types of docking opportunities available to transient boaters, the first are from the communities along the Canal System that offer boaters the opportunities to spend the night, visit the community and avail themselves of the resources within these communities.  The second docking opportunity comes from the marinas that are in close proximity to the communities, this dynamic sometimes puts these two entities in direct competition with each other and in some communities has forced the elimination of the amenities normally available to the boater

“House Boat” from Destination Yachts

What if these marinas had the ability to fill their slips, maybe even utilize areas of these facilities that have proved difficult in the past, such as those areas that have access issues or low water depth.

What about marinas located in areas where transient boaters typically have passed them by? What about areas of the Canal that have been totally ignored by companies investing in similar businesses. Are there portions of the Canal that the State would like to see economic impact improvements within? Are there locations which once housed marinas that could be re-opened. These marinas could be much simpler to construct. They wouldn’t need fueling infrastructure, they wouldn’t even need to be constructed with travel lifts, the floating homes could be easily lifted out of the water after the season by the use of a crane hired for a day to lift out all the boats and place them on shore, same process could be done in the spring. Boats could be built with lift points built in place to simplify the process.

These boats could also be placed in areas that have been identified as flood plains and other areas where construction has proved to be challenging!

Sanitation for these boats could be built using a site wide pump out system connected to either a municipal sewer system or onsite treatment plant. The technology even exists to install a system that incinerates all liquid and solid waste and the results are a small amount of sterile ash that can be removed once a week or so for those areas that are truly remote.

Aqua-Lodges available from Catamarine Cruisers

These boats could be purchased by individuals for docking in existing marinas or waterfront campgrounds, or by the marinas themselves to be placed in rental fleets  

The Canal systems could easily accommodate 100 boats or more throughout the 524 miles of waterway. Each of these boats could generate thousands of dollars annually to a marina from docking and storage revenues. Organizations which wanted to own and operate rental units could be placed in systems such as Airbnb or VRBO.  Boats placed in marinas could generate additional revenue such as pontoon or fishing boat rentals, or create opportunities for marinas to update their facilities like adding a workout room or maybe even a pool.

Another version of a floating community is located in Clinton Ohio at a marina just off of Lake Erie, these floating homes are set up a little different and allow each owner the ability to park a boat adjacent to their floating homes as part of their monthly slip fees.

Lakeside Marina in Port Clinton Ohio
Ranch from Eco Sea Cottages

Floating Homes originated on the west coast in cities like Seattle, and a company call eco-sea cottages has created a product that can be delivered to any city or town in the country and will even locate a slip for your boat should you wish to purchase from them.  They too offer outboard engine and steering packages which would allow you to move a boat in limited situations.  For more info visit their web site www.eco-seacottages.com

Onondaga Lake Cleanup About To Come To An End

24 November 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Eastern Erie Canal

 

A massive cleanup project on Onondaga Lake is about to come to an conclusion. Honeywell’s final work of restoring the shoreline is slated to conclude this month. The company completed dredging 2.2 million cubic yards of lake bottom in 2014 and capping 475 acres of the bottom this year. Honeywell project manager John McAuliffe told the Syracuse Post-Standard that the lake cleanup project will conclude after a dozen trees are planted. The company will also build trails, piers and wildlife habitats as part of a separate federal settlement.

The lake was declared a Superfund site back in 1994. It was a dumping ground for decades by companies, including Allied-Signal which later merged with Honeywell.

Onondaga Lakes boasts the newly built Lakeview Amphitheatre as well as Onondaga Park Marina. Daily cruises on the lake are available through Mid-Lakes Navigations the Emitta II which leaves from their dock in Baldwinsville.

Onondaga Lake connects the inner harbor of Syracuse with the Erie Canal and the world.

Palmyra Harbor Host Program

13 November 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Western Erie Canal

A SUMMER SNAPSHOT:

PALMYRA HARBOR HOST PROGRAM

2017 – Season Five

 

          Despite a shortened season and less than excellent weather, a 14% increase in the boat count, 135 in 2016, 156 this year, was noted. Many of our visitors had docked here before, often several times. The presence of the Lois McClure during its state wide tour and the Sam Patch during Pirates Weekend boosted the season’s people count to 527, a remarkable number.

       Also noted was the use of the marina for fishing, dog walking and simply enjoying the view. It also appears to be a stop for tour busses. Taking into consideration that the marina is open dawn to dusk every day and that Harbor Hosts are there a maximum of 6 hours a day, these are impressive numbers.

There are two crucial components that make this service continue: the support of local merchants and organizations and the Harbor Hosts, who represent Palmyra for our visitors. Participating this season were the following merchants:

  • Akropolis Family Restaurant
  • Brick House Antique Center/ Rug Center
  • Custom 31 Tee Shirts
  • Dog Eared Book
  • Gallery of Styles
  • Happiness Garden Chinese Restaurant
  • Hill Cumorah & Other Historic Sites
  • Lock 29 Grill & Tap Room
  • Mackenzie’s
  • Mark’s Pizzeria
  • Nima’s Italian Restaurant
  • Palmyra Canal Shop
  • Pop’s Hots
  • Towpath Antique Center
  • Village Bookmarket

Support was provided by:

  • Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and Foundation
  • Book of Mormon Historic Publication Site
  • Museums of Historic Palmyra
  • New York State Canal Corporation
  • Village of Palmyra
  • Wayne County Office of Tourism

Without the Harbor Hosts themselves there would be no program. They make it happen.

  • Michael Braell Josie Naeye
  • Bob Daly Patti Rising
  • Vicky Daly John Robbins
  • Barbara Furgeson Mary Ann Stager
  • Carole Hack Deb Trombino
  • Sparky Hall        Pat Wilson
  • Marsha Herbst

This year we were pleased to have the assistance of twelve LDS couples who were in Palmyra as volunteers at the Mormon Temple. While in Palmyra they are expected to donate time and energy to local worthwhile efforts. We were pleased to be perceived as such. This season was a learning experience but it went well and their time and enthusiasm were appreciated. They would be welcome again in 2018 as would additional local volunteers.

Thank you, one and all.

We could not do this without you.

HH 2017 report

Locktoberfest Seneca Falls

9 October 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals

Seneca Falls was the place to be on Saturday Oct. 7th. for their first annual Locktoberfest. A little rainy weather in the morning didn’t keep visitors away from the Canal Harbor for a day of food, crafts and music.

Great BBQ was on the menu from 3 different vendors, Craft beers and local wines were served, pumpkin decorating, four great musical acts which played throughout the day. When the sun went down the party didn’t end when barrels were loaded with wood and lit on fire along the canal wall.

Photo by Randy Madsen

40 boats had cruised into the harbor starting on Wed and the boaters were there to celebrate the end of the boating season.

All had an enjoyable day and with the first Locktoberfest being such a great success, it was announced that the event will be back and hopefully that means a multi-day celebration.

The Erie Canal

2 October 2017
Categories: Bike/Hike the Canals, Boat the Erie Canal, Canal Road Trips, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Western Erie Canal

The Erie Canal

About:

The Erie Canal, often referred to the NYS Barge Canal includes 524 miles of navigable waterways throughout NYS. The Canals that make up the Erie Canal System include the Cayuga / Seneca, The Champlain, The Oswego and the Erie itself. These 4 Canals allow for travel from inland NY to anywhere in the world.

 

Facts:

The 4 individual canals today total 524 miles of navigable waterways. There are currently 55 locks and 18 lift bridges amongst the Canals. Total lift is 568’ and the largest lift is lock   at Little Falls with 49’of lift. It is also the only lock on the system that uses a drop door instead of the standard swing doors used elsewhere. The flight of 5 which consists of locks 2-7 just west of Waterford is the greatest elevation change on any navigable waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Erie Canal is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also a National Park Historical Site.

 

 

History:

The Erie first envisioned in the early 1800’s by NY’s then governor Dewitt Clinton was first dismissed as crazy and was referred to early on as Clinton’s Follies. Hope was that the Federal Government would help fund the project, but that never happened and New York State went it alone. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825 at a cost of $8 million dollars, the Canal ended up paying for itself in less than 8 years. New York City soon became the largest port in the United States as a direct result of the construction of the Erie Canal. The opening of the canal in 1825 allowed for goods and people to be shipped in half the time and at one tenth the cost of the conventional methods of the time.

The Canal has evolved throughout the years from what was originally referred to as Clinton’s Ditch where mules walked the tow path towing barges and boats up and down the canal. The advent of mechanically powered vessels allowed for the use of the lakes and river sections which continued to speed travel along the Canal. The final version of the Canal was opened in 1915 and is what we travel on today. The infrastructure visible along the Canal today is the same technology that was designed and built back in 1915 and still amazes visitors to the Canal each day.

New York State understood the value of the Canal when it guaranteed its continued existence by amending its constitution in 1938 during a constitutional convention.

The Canal Today:

Continues to be used for commercial shipping albeit in a limited fashion. It is used as a source of water for agricultural purposes, it is used to generate electric through it’s more than 2 dozen hydro-electric power plants scattered throughout the Canal System. The Canal is also used as a very important means of flood control. Today the greatest use of the Canal System relates to tourism. The Erie Canal passes through 5 of NYS’s travel regions. Whether Boating, Bicycling, Hiking or Road Tripping through the Erie Canal System, the opportunities are virtually limitless. The Canalway trail is now more than 75% complete, NY has committed to completing 100% of the trail by 2020. Boaters have access to the 524 miles of waterways, with marinas throughout the system available for transient and seasonal docking or the many communities that open their doors to boaters many with free docking, free electrical, wi-fi, bathrooms and shower facilities. The Cayuga/Seneca connects the Erie Canal to the two largest Finger lakes. From Fishing to Wine tasting those lakes offer boaters and visitors alike world class opportunities for enjoyment.

The Oswego Canal connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario and beyond. The Lake Ontario region offers visitors World Class Fishing, and the ability to travel by water to Canada and beyond.

The Champlain Canal region is steeped in history dating back to the formation of the United States. Allowing travelers to transit from the Hudson River to Lake Champlain and onto the Chambly Canal.

The Discover the Erie Canal site has been designed to be the most comprehensive online resource on the Erie Canal. It not only provides travelers who wish to experience the Erie Canal with all the information they need to maximize their trip, but also provides visitors with information on the history, news and events and information on the more than 200 communities that surround the Erie Canal  

Boating on the Erie Canal

27 August 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Uncategorized
 

Boating on the Erie Canal

Post courtesy of the www.newyorkboater.com 

Whether you’re in a kayak, 50’ cruiser or anything in-between you will find a unique boating experience on the Erie Canal.  With 55 locks, 16 lift bridges, more than 60 communities all on the 524 miles of navigable waterway that make up the Erie Canal System.  A boat trip on the Erie is something you won’t soon forget.  Whether you plan your trip to last a day, week or month the Erie will not disappoint.

The NYS Canal system is best understood when you break it down by regions.  The Erie at 363 miles long stretches from Waterford, just north of Albany to The Tonawanda’s, just east of Buffalo.  The modern version of the Erie which celebrated its centennial in 1915 combines the natural river sections of the Mohawk and Seneca Rivers, crosses Oneida Lake, the largest lake completely within NYS as well as the man-made sections that complete the system.  The scenery that you encounter along the way is as diverse as the waterway itself.  From dairy farms and apple orchids to long stretches of natural scenery that could make you forget you’re in New York State.  You will also pass through bedroom communities of cities like Syracuse and Rochester.  One of the more interesting sections is a 4-mile-long stretch west of Rochester where the Canal is cut through rock, with rock walls on both sides of the canal, take a minute to consider how this section was built virtually by hand in the early 1800’s!  When you arrive in Tonawanda, the current western terminus of the Canal,  rent a car and visit Niagara Falls, or continue on the Niagara River 13 miles to the inner harbor of Buffalo where you have the opportunity to dock directly behind a Naval Destroyer at the only inland Naval Museum in the country.

From the Erie Canal, you also have the opportunity to head north to Lake Ontario via the Oswego Canal, At Three Rivers, mile marker 160 the Oswego Canal heads north for 23 miles. Don’t miss a stay in the village of Phoenix where undoubtable you will get a visit from the Bridge House Brats, a local youth group who spends their summers helping boaters with everything from catching your lines to running for provisions.  Oswego at the mouth of Lake Ontario hosts one of the largest celebrations of the summer with its annual Harbor Fest.

Travel a little further west and at mile marker 200 on the Erie you can head south on the Cayuga / Seneca Canal.  When you exit Lock 1, 4 miles south of the junction with the Erie, Cayuga Lake lies ahead, 36 miles to the south is the City of Ithaca, or head west to the historic town of Seneca Falls, birthplace of the women’s suffrage movement.  Seneca Falls is one of the best stops along the Canal for boaters,  with over 900’ of dockage on both the north and south sides of the Canal, boaters can enjoy free docking, electric, water, wi-fi and a boaters amenity center that offers laundry, showers, a lounge.  An easy walk offers boaters access to restaurants, shops, and museums.  Rent a car and tour the many wineries that surround the Finger lakes.  The Cayuga / Seneca Canal continues west past the village of Waterloo, the birthplace of the memorial day celebration and eventually empties into the north end of Seneca Lake at the city of Geneva.  Head south 34 miles for a visit to Watkins Glen.Seneca Falls

The Champlain Canal which travels north from the Village of Waterford and the Hudson River follows some of the same waterways that were critical in the Revolutionary war, with historical sites located throughout the 60-mile length.  The Champlain offers the scenery of the Adirondack mountains to the west and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the East.  Continue to Lake Champlain and north to Canada and beyond. 

No matter how you choose to boat on the Erie Canal system, you won’t be disappointed.  More than 60 communities offer docking opportunities to transient boaters, most offering amenities such as electric, internet access, showers and restrooms and access to these communities.  Most them are FREE. 

There are three ways to boat the canal, you can use your own boat and of course depending on where your home port is will determine where you enter the canal system from.  If you trailer your boat, you have a lot more options.  With over 150 boat ramps and more than 100 marinas  and public docks on the Canal System there are lots of options for your trip.  If your boat has sleeping accommodations, your options have greatly increased, if not, or if you’re paddling the canal, you can stay at any of the B&B’s or hotels or campgrounds along the Canal. If roughing it is your desire you can dry camp for free at every one of the 57 locks along the Canal system.

The third way to enjoy the Canal System by water is to charter a boat.  There are several companies along the Canal System that will rent you a boat for as little as 3 days.  These options vary from a 22’ cruiser perfect for a couple to several companies which rent European Style Canal boats in sizes from 32-42 such as the one below from Mid lakes Navigation’ or how about doing a family reunion on a 60’ house boat which accommodates 14.  No matter which option works for you, a trip on the Canal is a must for any NY Boater.  In 2015 Lyons NY, at mile marker 220 of the Erie hosted 331 boats from 216 communities in 40 states and from Canada, Holland, Australia, England, Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, and South America.   Start experiencing what boaters from around the country and world are finding out.  In 2017 the Canal System begins the celebration of the bi-centennial of the beginning of the construction of the Canal.  Also in 2017 The World Canals Conference is coming to Syracuse from Sept. 25th to the 29th. 

The NYS Canal system is the oldest continually operating transportation system in North America, and every year the navigation system begins in Early May and closes during the middle of November. A common message you will hear from boaters enjoying the Canal, is quiet!, don’t spread the word. those who already are in the know really want to keep it a closely guarded secret.

A boat trip on the Erie Canal, may be the best deal in cruising around!  Continue to watch the New York Boater for more information as the NYS Canal system begins their bi-centennial celebration starting in 2017

Towboat US Oneida Lake Under New Ownership

26 July 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal

For boaters along a significant portion of the Erie Canal in Central NY, Towboat US continues to maintain a significant presence on the water.   Towboat US Oneida Lake has a new owner. Capt. Jake Van Reenen who also owns Towboat US services in Rochester and Clayton NY is now servicing Oneida Lake as well as covering a significant portion of the Erie Canal. Oneida Lake which at 22 miles long and 5 miles wide is the largest lake wholly within New York State. Boaters transiting on the Erie Canal pass directly across Oneida Lake and Towboat US is the only major towing organization with any presence on the Erie Canal.

All Towboat US boats are easily recognizable with its red hull and white logo. They operate a 23’ Pacific aluminum workboat powered by a 225-hp Yamaha outboard. The can respond to a significant portion of the Erie Canal by trailering their boat to the nearest put in and can tow boats through the locks. With unlimited towing packages starting as low as $72.00 per year, knowing that there is a service out there that can bring you fuel, jump start their engine or tow them off a sand bar or at the very least get them back to port safely without a large towing bill is a very comforting feeling. Towboat US Oneida Lake can be reached by hailing VHF Chanel 16, by tapping the new Boat US app or by calling the company directly at (315) 775-4114 or by phoning the Boat US dispatch center at (800) 391-4869 Towboat US Oneida Lake Captains are on duty 7 days a week and 24 hours a day to assist boaters, they are based at the Brewerton Boat Yard.

Palmyra NY Harbor Hosts

22 June 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal, Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

Welcome to Palmyra!  That is the message of the Palmyra Harbor Hosts to visitors who tie up at the Port of Palmyra on the Erie Canal. Now in their fifth year , the Harbor Hosts (HH), volunteers from Palmyra and Macedon, have worked with hundreds of visitors from all over the state, the country and the world, answering questions and, frequently, going above and beyond providing needed transportation.

HH have given visitors rides to Walmart for a variety of needs; gone in search of a specific kind of worm to catch a specific kind of fish; to Rite Aid for an Rx refill or to an animal hospital. They have provided directions to the library, a children’s playground, grocery store,  Chill ‘n’ Grill ice cream shop and the laundromat. HH know which restaurants deliver to the marina; the hours of the museums – Palmyra has six. They know what time the adjacent rest rooms open and close and much more. Palmyra HH know just about all there is to know about our small but beautiful and historic village   (200+ properties on the National Register) and they love to share that information with our visitors. The New York State Canal Corporation named the Palmyra Harbor Hosts New York State Canal Ambassadors in recognition of their service to the Village of Palmyra and New York State. We are proud of that.

No Fees For Recreational Boating On The Erie Canal For The 2017 Navigational Season

12 June 2017
Categories: Bicentennial, Boat the Erie Canal, Cayuga/Seneca Canals, Champlain Canal, Eastern Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Uncategorized, Western Erie Canal

No Fees For Recreational Boating On The Erie Canal For The 2017 Navigational Season

The Canal is open and in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the Erie Canal, The New York State Canal Corporation has announced that there will be no fees for recreational boaters this season. Now we want to emphasize that the normal fees are quite nominal, ranging from $50 to $100 depending on length of boat for a season’s worth the ability to travel the canal and utilize the systems more than 50 locks dozens of lift bridges and more than 524 miles of navigable waterways.

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Speed Limits For Boaters On The Erie Canal

7 June 2017
Categories: Boat the Erie Canal

Mariners are advised of the speed limits on the NYS Canal System described at http://www.canals.ny.gov/boating/speedlimits.html and mapped out at http://www.canals.ny.gov/maps/index.html?layer=speedlimits.

There are three speed zones on the canal system:

  • 5 MPH
  • 10 MPH
  • 30 MPH and above

Because vessel configurations vary, the speed thresholds at which different wake characteristics occur vary from vessel to vessel.  The speeds listed are more of a general guidance.  The wake characteristics for each zone must not exceed the following:

  • 5 MPH (red zone) – flat water, not even a ripple trails the vessel.
  • 10 MPH (yellow zone) – ripple, but no wake (a ripple is defined here as a small non-whitecap wave that is not large enough to rock a floating dock – less than about 12” in amplitude).
  • 30 MPH and above (green zone) – for vessels capable of getting up on plane, in riverine and lake sections this is allowed.  Wakes are produced when up on plane, and this is acceptable in New York State if not near a dock or other vessels.

On any New York State waterway when within 100 feet of shore no vessel may exceed 5 MPH.

Waking a floating dock can cause property damage, environmental damage, and personal injury.

NYS Canal Regulations §151.15 establish that the New York State Canal Corporation can fine mariners $100 and refuse lockage and bridge lifts for a period of six (6) hours

Watch this Video to learn more about no wake zones