Champlain canal system to Long Island Sound

shinsr

Member
Jun 16, 2008
266
Long island / Peconic
Boat Info
2008 48DA (prior 2007 44DA)
Engines
Cummins
In contract on a 48da located on lake Champlain - plan is to run her early May down the Champlain canal into the Hudson. From there through the spuyten duyvil into the Harlem river, through hells gate and into the Long Island sound. Looking to get her home in 3 days which I am told is doable. Any comments as to my nav plan (i.e. - Harlem river versus going around bottom of Manhattan) as well as recommended marinas for the 2 evening layovers appreciated. Thinking the stops are around lock 5 and then somewhere around tappan zee bridge. I was told I should only need one bridge to open in Harlem river - if anyone knows otherwise it would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I can tell you anything you need to know from the Hudson to the sound but I've never been on the Champlain canal. Definitely take the Harlem river route. Only the Spuyton Duyvel bridge needs to be opened which opens by request on Ch 13. A good marina for overnight roughly 9miles north of the Tappanzee Bridge is Haverstraw Marina on the west bank. Well protected with a decent ships store, fuel and a bar and restaurant. A mile or two south of Haverstraw on the East bank is Croton. Great protected anchorage if you prefer to be on the hook. There are a few marinas just north of the Tapp that I've never stayed at that may be able to accommodate you. Near the bridge avoid the west bank (Nyack, Piermont, ect). Its shallow over there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
 
Three days should be enough. I have done the trip several times. Check hight restrictions at the lock in Whitehall, NY. (first lock headed South from the lake if I recall properly). I got through on a 400SD but there was not a lot of room left. The lock system is something to do once for the experience, then it becomes a PIA. Speed restrictions (10 MPH as I recall) which makes no sense as you are kicking up a maximum wake at that speed, and the locks themselves are a bit dirty, smelly and generally a pain. Bring throw away gloves and a stout boat pole to keep your boat away from the lock walls. We spent the first night on our southward trip in Skylerville (lock 3 I think) and the second night in Haverford on our way to our home port in Toms River, NJ.

I have never been on the Harlem river but you have some local advice which sounds like the best approach. I always take the East River when we go unto the sound. Hellgate has always been much ado about nothing. Bad reputation and I suppose a bit of a problem for an underpowered boat but with what you will be driving, its a non issue.

Hope this helps. The Hudson is a beautiful ride, the canal is a "must do ONCE" and Champlain is breath taking!Enjoy !
 
I've stayed at fort Edward at lock 7 twice, town bulkhead free with free electric. Very nice spot well protected. Three days is plenty, make sure you have a lot of good fenders for the locks and you WILL have to lower your Antenna's. Albany Yacht club is a real nice marina to stay at. I have not taken the Harlem river because I enjoy the trip around Manhattan so much, gonna be there possibly next week. If you want to stay in NYC stay on the Jersey side at Liberty Landing or Newport Marina, I don't recommend staying in Manhattan although I've done it and it is real cool walking off boat right at the WTC. Hell's gate ? You won't even know you're in it with that boat, the stories are sailboats and small boats with very little power.
 
I live near Champlain 4 and 5 and have made the trip numinous times, if you need any local advise feel free to PM me
 
Thank you - will be starting from mullets bay - when not in the slow zones anticipate running 21-22 knots - current owner says he usually stops around lock 5 he believes - if you agree any recommended marina around there (preferably with diesel and a restaurant?) would be appreciated. Thanks - survey is in 3 weeks - at that point this will get real!
 
Thanks - current owner advises no issue with Whitehall. Sounds like a few pairs of rubber gloves and boat hooks and covers on the fenders that I will replace after this run should do me well. Where did your run start that you made it to lock 3, and what speed were you running? I will be starting at mullets bay vt. Thanks for the info.
 
Thank you - going to plot havestraw to orient point to make sure I can do it in one day - seems like should be able to do it as a long day 3 on one tank of fuel.
 
Shins, If you are asking me, we left for Lake Champlain from Toms River, NJ and made a leisurly trip North, Stopped in Knigston, NY night one, Skylerville, night two and finally Burlington VT. On the return trip, we did the same but substituted Havastraw for Knigston. Speed in the locks is 10 (can't remember if it is Knots or MPH),(we cheated on occasion and brought her "up" where we could). On the Hudson and in the Lake around 22 knots. Great trip.
 
I know lake Champlain very well and you will chew up miles fast on that lake. Once on plain you will no reason to slow down. If you need fuel stick to the Vermont side, it can be as much as $1.00 a gallon cheaper. By the way I think you going from Mallet's bay not Mullets.
 
As you head south just past the NY Vermont bridge there is a fuel stop known as Buoy 39 marina on the Vermont side.If you fuel here you can make the length canal easily.As you head south near Ticonderoga there is a ferry that operates by a submerged cable, being pulled from either shore ,stay clear of the bow or stern if its in operation. The canal system in the time period you are traveling is 7am to 5pm. Lock C12 Whitehall to the Federal lock in Troy is 9 to 10 hours. Fender your port side when entering C12,its the only lock that requires a port tie. As mentioned, there is a nice free dock at Ft Edward just south of C7 ( check with Lock Operator for directions to the marina). There is a Stewarts convenience store there and a good restaurant (The Anvil) within a short walk. As you head south, just after C5 there is a marina (Schulerville yacht basin w/fuel) there is a market and restaurant in walking distance. From C5 to C4 You can pick up speed. From C4 to the Federal lock is 3 to 4 hours. Just south of C3 there is a free tie up with power ,water, showers at Mechanicville. There is a Price Chopper market and other shops in walking distance. After leaving lock C2 watch the channel markers.... the channel goes to the west shore. South of C1 you will find the Erie canal split. There is a Welcome Center with abundant dockage ,free electric,water,and showers .There are markets and shops in walking distance. Your next Lock and the last one is the Federal in Troy. Note when leaving the Lock the channel is to the west. There is a marina in Troy (no fuel) ,however the dock personnel may or may not be there ,so if the gate closed behind you you may or may not be able to get back to your boat. Heading south from there is the City of Albany,not boater friendly,but there is an unattended dock and some restaurants with in walking distance. South from there is the Castleton Boat club a Boat US cooperating marina with discounted fuel. South from there there are several nice stops Catskill,Kingston both have fuel available come to mind. Newburgh has a waterfront,however its not recommended to venture too far from the docks. South from there you will enter Havastraw bay. Note which way the tide is coming. No need to follow the channel here there's plenty of water to drive by eye.If the tide is coming in, stay to the west shore . Out going tide east shore.The bay fills and drains on the eastern shore South from there use caution at the "Mario Cuomo"(aka Tappan Zee) bridge construction site. As you approach the GW Bridge on the west shore you will find the Englewood Marina another good fuel stop (Jersey prices). directly across the river you will see the Spuyten Duyvil rail bridge. A lot of info can be found here http://www.canals.ny.gov/index.shtml and http://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/champlain-canal-distances.php I hope this helps you and others who want to make this trip. Enjoy your journey and new boat !
 
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As you head south just past the NY Vermont bridge there is a fuel stop known as Buoy 39 marina on the Vermont side.If you fuel here you can make the length canal easily.As you head south near Ticonderoga there is a ferry that operates by a submerged cable, being pulled from either shore ,stay clear of the bow or stern if its in operation. The canal system in the time period you are traveling is 7am to 5pm. Lock C12 Whitehall to the Federal lock in Troy is 9 to 10 hours. Fender your port side when entering C12,its the only lock that requires a port tie. As mentioned, there is a nice free dock at Ft Edward just south of C7 ( check with Lock Operator for directions to the marina). There is a Stewarts convenience store there and a good restaurant (The Anvil) within a short walk. As you head south, just after C5 there is a marina (Schulerville yacht basin w/fuel) there is a market and restaurant in walking distance. From C5 to C4 You can pick up speed. From C4 to the Federal lock is 3 to 4 hours. Just south of C3 there is a free tie up with power ,water, showers at Mechanicville. There is a Price Chopper market and other shops in walking distance. After leaving lock C2 watch the channel markers.... the channel goes to the west shore. South of C1 you will find the Erie canal split. There is a Welcome Center with abundant dockage ,free electric,water,and showers .There are markets and shops in walking distance. Your next Lock and the last one is the Federal in Troy. Note when leaving the Lock the channel is to the west. There is a marina in Troy (no fuel) ,however the dock personnel may or may not be there ,so if the gate closed behind you you may or may not be able to get back to your boat. Heading south from there is the City of Albany,not boater friendly,but there is an unattended dock and some restaurants with in walking distance. South from there is the Castleton Boat club a Boat US cooperating marina with discounted fuel. South from there there are several nice stops Catskill,Kingston both have fuel available come to mind. Newburgh has a waterfront,however its not recommended to venture too far from the docks. South from there you will enter Havastraw bay. Note which way the tide is coming. No need to follow the channel here there's plenty of water to drive by eye.If the tide is coming in, stay to the west shore . Out going tide east shore.The bay fills and drains on the eastern shore South from there use caution at the "Mario Cuomo"(aka Tappan Zee) bridge construction site. As you approach the GW Bridge on the west shore you will find the Englewood Marina another good fuel stop (Jersey prices). directly across the river you will see the Spuyten Duyvil rail bridge. A lot of info can be found here http://www.canals.ny.gov/index.shtml and http://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/champlain-canal-distances.php I hope this helps you and others who want to make this trip. Enjoy your journey and new boat !
Thank you so much - great information. Downloaded the navionics app and will plot the routes to try to maximize each days coverage. Sounds like I would like to make schulerville at end of day one and then have straw end of day 2.
 
I know lake Champlain very well and you will chew up miles fast on that lake. Once on plain you will no reason to slow down. If you need fuel stick to the Vermont side, it can be as much as $1.00 a gallon cheaper. By the way I think you going from Mallet's bay not Mullets.
Thanks!
 
Shins, If you are asking me, we left for Lake Champlain from Toms River, NJ and made a leisurly trip North, Stopped in Knigston, NY night one, Skylerville, night two and finally Burlington VT. On the return trip, we did the same but substituted Havastraw for Knigston. Speed in the locks is 10 (can't remember if it is Knots or MPH),(we cheated on occasion and brought her "up" where we could). On the Hudson and in the Lake around 22 knots. Great trip.
Thank you Frank - very helpful. Russ.
 
I did a trip last September from the south shore of Long Island up to Kingston NY, and then back. Day one we went from here to Kingston via the East River, Hell Gate, Harlem River, Spuyten Duyvil.
The following day we went down to Liberty Landing in NJ, spent the night there, before heading back east in the ocean the next morning.
Other than the railroad bridge at Spuyten Duyvil, you shouldn't need anything else opened on the Harlem River with a Sundancer.
The railroad bridge operator at Spuyten Duyvil can be raised 24/7 on the VHF, and the day I did it his response was extremely quick. I think I may have sat idle for about 5 minutes from the time I radioed him until the time the bridge was swung opened for me.
Hell Gate was not nearly as bad as some had made it out to be, didn't even realize I was in it, and the trip down the Harlem River should be smooth as silk if you go with the tide, or at slack tide. Plenty of water, and absolutely none of the debris that I was warned about.
Not a lot of sights to see in the Harlem River once you get past the very top of it, but if you decide to go around the Battery and up the East River, the sights are fantastic. This is coming from someone who was born, raised, and lived in NYC until I was in my 40's, and then continued working there every day for years later. We did the whole thing at idle speed while taking pictures like a couple of tourists.
Coming back, we went down the west side, and stayed overnight at Liberty Landing in NJ. We'd been in New York Harbor with the boat before, but it never gets old.
As far as a place to stay on the Hudson: We really loved spending the night in Kingston. The town dock is right in the middle of where you want to be, and there are several great restaurants. I've also heard that there is a couple of good Marina's further south in Haverstraw, but have no independent knowledge of them.
If you want to go down the west side, then Liberty Landing is a really nice place with great views of lower Manhattan at night, and not a far Uber from plenty of restaurants in Hoboken.
You can also opt to take mass transit in to the city. We didn't because we are in the city all the time, and opted instead to stay in NJ and enjoy the awesome views of the apple.
Lincoln Harbor is much closer to Hoboken and looks pretty nice. I'll probably give that a try next trip, but I don't have any personal experience with it yet.
I envy the trip. Wish I were making it.
 
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I did a trip last September from the south shore of Long Island up to Kingston NY, and then back. Day one we went from here to Kingston via the East River, Hell Gate, Harlem River, Spuyten Duyvil.
The following day we went down to Liberty Landing in NJ, spent the night there, before heading back east in the ocean the next morning.
Other than the railroad bridge at Spuyten Duyvil, you shouldn't need anything else opened on the Harlem River with a Sundancer.
The railroad bridge operator at Spuyten Duyvil can be raised 24/7 on the VHF, and the day I did it his response was extremely quick. I think I may have sat idle for about 5 minutes from the time I radioed him until the time the bridge was swung opened for me.
Hell Gate was not nearly as bad as some had made it out to be, didn't even realize I was in it, and the trip down the Harlem River should be smooth as silk if you go with the tide, or at slack tide. Plenty of water, and absolutely none of the debris that I was warned about.
Not a lot of sights to see in the Harlem River once you get past the very top of it, but if you decide to go around the Battery and up the East River, the sights are fantastic. This is coming from someone who was born, raised, and lived in NYC until I was in my 40's, and then continued working there every day for years later. We did the whole thing at idle speed while taking pictures like a couple of tourists.
Coming back, we went down the west side, and stayed overnight at Liberty Landing in NJ. We'd been in New York Harbor with the boat before, but it never gets old.
As far as a place to stay on the Hudson: We really loved spending the night in Kingston. The town dock is right in the middle of where you want to be, and there are several great restaurants. I've also heard that there is a couple of good Marina's further south in Haverstraw, but have no independent knowledge of them.
If you want to go down the west side, then Liberty Landing is a really nice place with great views of lower Manhattan at night, and not a far Uber from plenty of restaurants in Hoboken.
You can also opt to take mass transit in to the city. We didn't because we are in the city all the time, and opted instead to stay in NJ and enjoy the awesome views of the apple.
Lincoln Harbor is much closer to Hoboken and looks pretty nice. I'll probably give that a try next trip, but I don't have any personal experience with it yet.
I envy the trip. Wish I were making it.
Thanks for the info - part of me wishes I could take this trip real slow and stop many times along the way - but reality is I need to get her home in 3 days so plan is to stop as little as possible to make the time. As far as Manhattan I work there every day so the magic of it gets lost on me - thus trip is just me and a friend who is taking time away from his business and his family so I can make this happen - think it will be a blast, really looking forward to it.
 
The locks can be done in one day, but it is a very long day; be at the first lock at opening time. We took two since it was a vacation, but if you just want a speed run it is doable. The Hudson River run is an easier day, you can readily do the run to Haverstraw (just north of Tappan Zee) in a day. And I've made the run from Haverstraw to Clinton, CT (our overnight stop on the run to Boston), so I think most places on Long Island should be reachable.

Oops. Misread your post as DB instead of DA, so forget this:

I'm more worried about your bridge clearance. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/4041-48-SB-Bridge-Clearance says you need 18' 6" without removing anything. http://www.canals.ny.gov/boating/bridgeheights.html#champlain say you have 17'. Early in the season, flood waters may mean somewhat less is available.

So the bad news is I think you need to find about 2 feet to take down to fit under; do you think you can find that on this boat?

Try this link instead: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/37964-48-SunDancer-Bridge-Clearance.

You are still pretty tight on space. The lockmasters may agree to manipulate flow for you to get you a bit more space. Look to see what you can take down, and call ahead to the lockmaster(s) to ask what they can do to help you out.

Good luck,
Rich
 
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This works out great for me too. I'm picking up a boat at Shady Harbor Marina. Its about 2 hrs south of the lake on the Hudson also.I'll be driving it home to Mount Sinai in the sound. I'll be following this thread closely. My trip is on the 30th of April if all goes well. My plan is to do it in one day. I'll be driving a 2004 340 searay so I'll be cruising around 25mph.
 
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First off where in Champlain are you starting from.... If you start early from the Lake, you can make it through all the locks if it is not too busy, or no dredging going on..... There are a couple of Town Docks on the canal that offer free electricity and tie up for the night... There is a nice Marina about 25 miles south of Albany, with a restaurant and some transient slips available... they have a protective sea wall so you are out of the wakes of passing ships or boats....One that comes to mind is Shady Harbor Marina, and I believe there is one next to it on the West side of the Hudson....Have a great trip....
 

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