Upstate to NYC?

[Strecker25]

Anyone ever cruised from upstate to NYC via the canal system / hudson?

We live in Rochester on lake ontario, but have family in the city. Not sure that we would do it this summer, but I would like to plan a trip at some point which takes us east to syracuse via Ontario, down the canal system, and down the hudson to NY. Wondering how difficult of a trip it is, marina's along the way, etc. I've found some info from the great loopers, but nothing specific to that route.

 

[bahamabreisus]

That should be a great trip. http://www.canals.ny.gov/index.shtml

 

[SloBurn]

I've done it from other direction, NYC up Hudson, through locks to Champlain. Problem I had was that speed limit in canals is 10 mph!! BORING!! If you speed up, the lockmasters just make you wait anyway. still a nice trip, I would recommend it if you have the time.

 

[connie garcy]

We purchased our boat about 30-40 miles north of the city and came up the canal to Clay, NY. We did this trip in May, 2006 and the week later they closed the canal due to flooding. It was a nice trip, but because it was so early in the season we had a hard time finding gas. Gased up in Troy and again east of Utica. So depending when you want to make the trip I would check the New York State Canal web site.

If you do the trip, once you go through Lock 1 in Phoenix heading east our marina is at Buoy # 200. Let me know.

 

[Strecker25]

Thanks everyone. That canal site has some great information for route planning. We would probably take a couple weeks and really take our time, stopping along the way and seeing the towns along the canal and the river. Agreed on the 10mph limit though, I can see that really getting pretty boring after a couple hours.

There is something pretty intriguing about cruising the NY harbor from our own boat though. Definitely a different perspective.

 

[sr330daguy]

We do the trip every year.We are just south of Albany.Feel free to PM us with any questions you may have.

 

[BigBoysToys]

I'm hoping to go from NYC to Oswego then across to Wellesley Island in the St Lawrence. Any idea how long a trip like this takes? What would be the shortest amount of time this could be done?

 

[connie garcy]

I'm hoping to go from NYC to Oswego then across to Wellesley Island in the St Lawrence. Any idea how long a trip like this takes? What would be the shortest amount of time this could be done?

It will take you about 4 days to the start of the Oswego Canal lock 1 and another 6- 7 hours to Oswego. You will want to check with the Coast Guard before going on to Lake Ontario, that lake can change fast. From that point I think it takes about 8 hr to the mouth of the St Lawrence River.

The last marina before you get to the Oswego River is Pirates Cove (our marina) at buoy #200.

 

[my3sons]

I'm hoping to go from NYC to Oswego then across to Wellesley Island in the St Lawrence. Any idea how long a trip like this takes? What would be the shortest amount of time this could be done?

It's 135 N miles from NYC to the Federal lock at Troy. I'm not sure of the hours of operation for the locks, it can change from year to year, and it changes during the peak season, but you can make Waterford in a day if you want. We stopped at Kingston and used 2 days to get to Albany. Leaving Waterford at first lockage, you will be in Canajoharie at supper time. Fuel in St Johnstown, Marcy by late afternoon. Fuel in Brewerton and make Three Rivers by late afternoon the next day. Wellesley Island by the next afternoon if Lake Ontario is behaving.
It's about 40 N miles to the St Lawrence from Oswego, but you may have to sit in Oswego and wait on wind, and about 20 N miles from the Mouth of the river to the 1000 Islands boat and yacht club on Wellesley. So, 4 days if you push like the delivery captains do, 5 if you move right along without much or any sight seeing, more if you smell the roses.

 

[connie garcy]

I forgot to mention the lock Pass:

All motorized recreational vessels passing through any lock or lift bridge on the Canal System must purchase either a Seasonal Pass, a Ten-Day Pass or a Two-Day Pass. For any questions regarding recreational passes, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or 1-800-422-1825.

Vessel Size	Seasonal Pass	Ten-Day Pass	Two-Day Pass
Under 16 ft. (4.88 meters) $25.00 $12.50 $5.00 16 ft. – Under 26 ft. (4.88 meters) - (7.93 meters) $50.00 $25.00 $10.00 26 ft. – 39 ft. (7.93 meters) - (11.89 meters) $75.00 $37.50 $15.00 Over 39 ft. (11.89 meters) $100.00 $50.00 $20.00 [h=3]Purchase Recreational Passes[/h] Note: Recreational passes purchased before the start of the navigational season are tentatively processed beginning April 1. Online: 2015 passes will be available starting 04/01/2015 By Mail: Recreational Vessel Pass Application - (TA-W99115) In Person at the following locations: Hours - Canal Corporation Section Offices (8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Canal Corporation Headquarters (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) [h=4]Hudson River[/h] Albany Yacht Club, 75 Broadway, Rensselaer, NY 12144, (518) 445-9587 Castleton Boat Club, 92 South Main Street, Castleton On Hudson, NY 12033, (518) 732-7077 Coeymans Landing Marina, 20 Marina Drive, Coeymans, NY 12045, (518) 756-6111 Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina, 70 Shady Harbor Drive, New Baltimore, NY 12124, (518) 756-8001

Recreational Permit Fees

 

[BigBoysToys]

Wow, great info. Would really love to make the trip but I kinda wish the boat could drive itself back home. The way up will be fun, the return trip, probably not so much. Thanks guys.

 

[Russ Calasant]

I bought a boat in Lake George and had to moved to Champlain. I then brought her down the Hudson and into LIS to CT. It was a good trip -ONE way. I would not have wanted to have to go back, it was slow and not very exciting down to Manhattan. Although I will say it was nice at times and now that years have past I would say I enjoyed it and still very glad it was only one way.

 

[Strecker25]

I bought a boat in Lake George and had to moved to Champlain. I then brought her down the Hudson and into LIS to CT. It was a good trip -ONE way. I would not have wanted to have to go back, it was slow and not very exciting down to Manhattan. Although I will say it was nice at times and now that years have past I would say I enjoyed it and still very glad it was only one way.

That's what we've been talking about. The slow go of the canal might be peacful on the way down, and I would love to see the City shoreline from the vantage point of our own boat, but that trip back would be pretty brutal.