Welland Canal

[ktdmtd]

Planning a mini-loop trip this summer and would like to transit the Welland Canal going downstream (Port Colborne to Lake Ontario). We travel the NYS Canal system regularly but realize that the Welland is something quite a bit different.

Any pointers from CSR members who have gone through this canal?

 

[RollerCoastr]

It's a trip of a lifetime, at least for boaters. Downbound is significantly easier than upbound, so you're already on the right track. There are two marinas in the Port Colbourne basin: Sugarloaf & Marlon. Sugarloaf is larger and has a restaurant. Marlon has a fuel dock and store, but they're so close to each other that I don't think it matters at which one you stay.

Bring a back-up VHF. The lockmasters take communication very seriously and a commucations outage could be a serious issue.

Fenders are also an issue. The Welland does NOT have floating bollards, so your boat will slide down apx 300 ft of slimely lock walls. Marlon sells straw-stuffed burlap bags, and/or nylon cover sleeves for you own fenders. Between the two, I much prefer the sleeves:

The sleeves suffer some small tears and scuffed my fenders somewhat, but they also kept the boat cleaner than the dirt-grabbing burlap. There's also the issue of disposal at the far end. The sleeves are small and will fit in your trash, but if you have bags you'll want to stop to drop them off at the small boat dock on Ontario side.

Feeding the lines around your cleats as you drop is a lot easier than pulling on the upbound trip, but nevertheless, a pair of gloves for each mate is a good idea.

Too many upbound ships can really throw a wrench in your schedule, so you may want to check out marinetraffic to get an idea of how to strategize and time your entry. It's not un-heard of for pleasurecraft to wait for in excess of 12 hours to enter the system. Once you check in at the small boat docks, the lockmasters will expect you to get moving on very little notice, and those docks do not have power or water hook-ups. (there are passing areas within the system, so you don't have to avoid all upbound traffic)

Seaway Welland publishes a PDF of locking information. It's not necessarily geared to pleasurecraft, but if I come across it, I'll post a link.

 

[JerryS]

Have not done the Welland, but, you perked my interest. This website appears to provide a lot of good information: http://www.offshoreblue.com/cruising/welland-canal.php

 

[ktdmtd]

RollerCoastr,

Thanks for the information and picture. I'm sure to look for the fender sleeves. Another discussion board has recommended wooden fender boards. Have you ever tried these? Also, do I really need 2 80'+ mooring lines. I have one 50' line and several 25's. Did you use longer lines?


JerryS

Thanks for the link to offshoreblue! A lot of good information.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I agree - Jerry's link is helpful, which is good because I can't seem to find that PDF that I relied on!

The fenderboards give sailboats more surface area for fender protection. Powerboats don't need them.


At no point within a Welland lock will you use your own lines, nor will you ever cleat the lines the attendants give you. I wonder if the recommendation for long lines comes from a time when a waiting area between locks 1 & 2 only had distant bollards and if you were told to wait there, regular dock lines wouldn't reach. The last time I was on that wall, there were bollards nearby and my regular lines reached. I've only waited there for upbound passage anyway. Assuming that you travel with an adequate supply of docklines and some spares, I disagree with the recommendation to buy extra-long lines.


On the offshoreblue site is a "mooring table", which details on which side of the locks you will work. Note that If you have limited crew or any physical challenges, you might want to consider keeping fenders on both sides of your boat instead of switching sides several times. (I prefer to dirty as few fenders as possible.) The "mooring guide" lists 8#, the first one you'll enter, as Port. However, it's only a 3' drop. You'll stay in the center and they don't offer lines.

 

[Bresco]

I live here. You will pass right by my house within a couple blocks. We also did the WC last year in our 44 Dancer.

It takes between 6-8 hours to get through depending on commercial traffic.

Lock 6 is always windy, even on a good day, and a bit more effort is required b/c of it.

Lock 8 has no tie up due to its short distance. It's just a leveller lock, so to speak. You'll have to be diligent with staying in the middle but easy due to the commercial size of the lock.

There is a tie up period on lock 7 and lock 4, I believe. You'll have to tie up for about an hour.

Just stop at the dock in Port Colborne and call in to the command centre. They may make you wait for more boats or they may put you through. Count on waiting here for your call.

Communication is key with these guys. Recs are a nuisance to them b/c they deal with the commercials and that is where the $$$ come from. So if you don't have your stuff together all it will do is frustrate the both of you.

Fender boards are a good idea but the walls are in good shape. I would definitely cover your fenders with something. We used the boards and old tshirts to cover the fender. Worked well.

Having two crew on board is a good idea. You and one crew member is all that is needed but it can be turbulent so having you as captain at all times really is an asset.

Plan on staying at the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club and not the St. Catharines Marina. Not the nicest of places to stay and Port has so much more to offer. Call and make reservations for sure. You can tie up to the public large high cement docks in Port Dalhousie too. I think it's pricey though like around $2.00 a ft. I don't believe that has hydro but I' not certain.

Stay at Sugarloaf Marina in Port Colborne. Nice place with all the amenities.

When are you coming through?

 

[Bresco]

and yes, you will use the lines they give you. What you have already is adequate.

 

[RollerCoastr]

There is a tie up period on lock 7 and lock 4, I believe. You'll have to tie up for about an hour.

They only do that to allow for commercial traffic. I've never had to stop going downbound. (the lower locks are singles, so they were probably just letting an upbound freighter get up to the doubles before sending you through?)

 

[ktdmtd]

Thanks for the additional information. Our trip is planned for mid-August.

Next, I need to get an accurate heighth measurement of the boat. We plan to do the NYS Canal to Buffalo and I understand that there are bridges with 15.5' clearance. Don't want to leave my anchor light or radar dome hanging from some bridge.

 

[Bresco]

We did the Erie Canal last year too, or part of it. We had to take the Oswego Canal north because the Erie Canal was still closed due to all those spring rains last year. There you will want those fender boards. The walls on some of the locks are brutal. The bridges are 15.5. We had no problem getting under with the anchor light and radar. We have a 44'.

Have a great trip and be sure to send pics.