Where to Drop / Step the Mast on the Erie Canal

[unbusted67]

What marinas do people usually drop and step their masts at when entering and leaving the Erie Canal. We were thinking of dropping our mast at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo even before entering the black rock canal. Any thoughts? What about on the Hudson side?

[unbusted67]

Wow I am very surprised there are no takers on this one. Let me rephrase the question: what marina did you use to unstep your mast when you transited the canal system. We are currently in Erie Basin Marina and they do not have a crane here.

[GordMay]

Southbound: We unstepped the mast at Oswego (L. Ontario), then re-stepped it at the yacht club at Castleton on Hudson.

[Vasco]

I used to unstep at Oswego marina at Oswego and step at Riverview Marina in Catskill. Mike the owner of Riverview is very helpful. Years ago I did it at the Castleton Boat Club but this is a do it yourself operation, with the mastcrane high on a bluff and the boat on a floating dock with power boats charging past and waking you although it is a no wake zone.

There are two marinas in Catskill that do masts, Riverview and Hop-O-Nose marina. Riverview is much friendlier. As for Buffalo never been there in a boat but most folks I know get the mast done by Wardells, which is just before the first bridge in the Erie Canal. Dennis Wardell is the guy who does it. This is past the Black Rock Lock. Have a safe trip.

[mooregm5]

Hello,

Here is a list of places to get your mast done. The eastern end is well used by those going in all directions (Champlain, Oswego, and Buffalo). Castleton Boat Club is the cheap option, with the other two being comparable by most accounts. The Buffalo end is widely varied by response. Wardell Boat Yard usually get good reviews. Call ahead and get a time slot and total estimate with fees for radar and antennas as well as tax.
Eastern End (Albany)

• Castleton Boat Club, Castleton on the Hudson, NY; 518-732-7077 --- Note: Do it yourself gin pole.
• Hop-O-Nose Marine, Catskill, NY; 518-943-4640
• Riverview Marine Service Inc., Catskill, NY; 518-943-5311 --- Note: Cannot service catamarans, must fit in slip to reach crane.

Western End (Buffalo)

• Wardell Boat Yard, North Tonawanda, NY; 716-692-9428
• Smith Boys Inc., North Tonawanda, NY; 716-695-3472
• Rich Marine Sales, Inc., Buffalo, NY; 716-873-4060
• RCR Yachts, Buffalo, NY; 716-856-6314

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Dudeman]

We're looking for recommendations for do it yourself places on the west end.

[unbusted67]

We stayed at Riverview Marina in Catskill where we stepped the mast ourselves. On our 1000 mile trip this was the nicest marina we stayed at. The staff their was beyond friendly and bathrooms were so clean you could eat off the floor. I believe it was only $1.25/ft. Definitely support these guys with your business they deserve it and are half the price of some of the other marinas in Catskill.

[henriiv]

Who has their mast stepped and shipped from Oswego to Troy (or some other place)? Who does it? Is there a package deal?

[svseachange]

We just completed our trip through the Erie Canal. We unstepped our mast at Rich Marine in Buffalo. Good friendly and helpful people. $325 for our PSC 34. Planning to step our mast in Riverview Marina in Catskill.

The Erie Canal was a fascinating trip. The towns along the way are very accommodating. They want you to visit. We did not pay for dockage the whole trip. Skipper Bob's Erie Canal guide is absolutely essential to find all the good free stops.

[ColdEH]

High praise for the guys at Riverview Marina, they are the best , thanks guys !

I am now waiting for a crane in Oswego, great place but they really need to get a bigger crane. If your boat is over 40 feet you will probably have to hire a local mobile crane to come down and get you stepped or unstepped .

Regards

[gettinthere]

RCR and Rich get good reviews.

Wardells is run by a guy that is often complained about quite aggressively. It is reported that he does great work but sometimes goes off the deep end, way off. And if you show up at his fuel dock with your mast already unstepped, he will refuse you service. He is the last fuel stop before the canal.

[chad.lawie]

Originally Posted by mooregm5

Hello,

[*]Riverview Marine Service Inc., Catskill, NY; 518-943-5311 --- Note: Cannot service catamarans, must fit in slip to reach crane.

Riverview has a new crane and width is not an issue any longer. We just had the mast stepped on our lagoon 380 there.

Great price, really friendly people. Mike is a little rough around the edges, but he really is a caring and friendly guy. When we were younger we stopped at his marina with a blown head gasket. I didn't have much money, so he let me use the specialized tools I didn't have and gave me guidance along the way for fixing the issue. Really cool.

[CaptainBW]

Did the canal from Buffalo to Albany a couple of weeks ago and wanted to post our experience for everyone's benefit. Mast down at Rich Marine. I had them build the supports too and they did a top notch job. The crew was very experienced and helpful. Mast up at Riverview in Catskill. Really nice people there. Also did a first rate job. Facilities were clean and well kept and the town of Catskill had good food, liquor store and groceries in walking distance.

[Ricky j reading]

Doing some research on cost for a trip Thur Erie Canal from buffalo to ny city. How many gallons of fuel to run the canal from end to end.just a ballpark guess for a 35 ft.price on stepping mast at riverside etc.how many days to go from end to end say maybe 6 to 8 hours a day behind the wheel ???


May a restless wind always fill your sails!!

[CaptainBW]

It is 363 miles. It took 7 days at an average of 9 hours per day. Not sure how you track your fuel burn but that should give you the calculation.