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Old 15-10-2020, 11:18   #1
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Lake Champlain to Hudson River

I've been told that one can get from Lake Champlain to the Hudson River. Is that true? I'm told there are about 7 locks to go thru. Does anyone have experience or knowledge of this the route? I have a 28 ft trawler which draws very little.
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Old 15-10-2020, 11:42   #2
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

No problem, easy run. Google Champlain Canal
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Old 15-10-2020, 11:44   #3
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

Yes, there is the Champlain Canal w/5 locks before you hit the Hudson.
If you are going this year, no fees but they will close the canals in November.

You can find our more info here: New York State Canals

Edit: Scratch that Nov. closing date, they closed the canals yesterday. http://www.canals.ny.gov/boating/hours.html
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Old 15-10-2020, 14:17   #4
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

We did this (in the other direction) in 2016, as part of our Down East Loop. I did a bit of a blog of the trip. The segment from Albany to Lake Champlain starts here.
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Old 15-10-2020, 14:42   #5
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

Actually,although Whitehall is lock #12, there are 11 locks. Then the federal lock at Albany. They all closed yesterday, oct14.Nice trip for next year,several free tie up places.
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Old 16-10-2020, 08:31   #6
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

It's a wonderful trip. You did not say your air-draft and that's possibly the bigger deal. I brought a 46' downeaster with flybridge out of Longueil (across from Montreal) to the Chesapeake some years back and after taking off the bimini and dropping the radar and mast, I actually laid on the flybridge deck and pushed the boat through -- with my nose just clearing it. That Whitehall bridge was an old old bridge so I wonder if it has been changed... anyone know ?
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Old 16-10-2020, 08:41   #7
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

We did this about 3 years ago...the river that is between the north end of the canal (Whitehall) and the south end of Champlain can get quite shallow....we draw 4 ft and were quite nervous at times. That said, it was a really scenic trip. There are many places where speed is limited to 10mph, either because you are in a dug-out canal, or you are passing by times with docks/boats on the water.
A nice stop is Kingston - neat museum there.
AND also: Schuyler Yacht Basin RV Park & Marina

We stayed at both places....
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Old 16-10-2020, 08:49   #8
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

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Originally Posted by kysloc View Post
We did this about 3 years ago...the river that is between the north end of the canal (Whitehall) and the south end of Champlain can get quite shallow....we draw 4 ft and were quite nervous at times. That said, it was a really scenic trip. There are many places where speed is limited to 10mph, either because you are in a dug-out canal, or you are passing by times with docks/boats on the water.
A nice stop is Kingston - neat museum there.
AND also: Schuyler Yacht Basin RV Park & Marina

We stayed at both places....
They must has dredged it we never saw less than 10 feet back in August.

Sailboats will have to drop the mast.
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Old 16-10-2020, 09:58   #9
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

It is a nice trip. Don't exceed the speed limit since the next lock tender knows when you should arrive and won't open for you till then.
Enjoy!
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Old 16-10-2020, 12:28   #10
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mlp48 View Post
It's a wonderful trip. You did not say your air-draft and that's possibly the bigger deal. I brought a 46' downeaster with flybridge out of Longueil (across from Montreal) to the Chesapeake some years back and after taking off the bimini and dropping the radar and mast, I actually laid on the flybridge deck and pushed the boat through -- with my nose just clearing it. That Whitehall bridge was an old old bridge so I wonder if it has been changed... anyone know ?
My air draft is about 10 ft. How long a trip is it from the south end of Lake Champlain to NYC?.........traveling around 10 k or less and running 8 or 9 hrs a day?
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Old 16-10-2020, 12:43   #11
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

For a sailboat, dismasting is mandatory, but easy done with experts at both ends of the cannal. It is a pleasant run if you take your time and visit small town along the way. However it would take longer. I once in a hurry, went trough all lock starting very early at Troy. I shall add that the lock operator in early spring where very helpfull and comunicated from lock to lock so they where ready to pass our boat.
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Old 16-10-2020, 13:05   #12
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

The State of NY canal System publishes a great book, The Cruising Guide to the New York State Canal System.

This year, when I checked pre-pandemic, they were already behind on production. It's possible they never even printed it, or perhaps they did and have a ton left over. It's worth giving them a call to find out. I forget which office prints it, but they're all listed here: Canal Phone Numbers - New York State Canals

Also, go to their web site, New York State Canals and check out all the on-line maps (charts) and other info.

This way, you can plan the trip yourself based on your speed, where you'd like to stop, and how long a day you want to put in. I will say that the lock operating hours this year were subject to change, especially on the Western half of the Erie, but hopefully next year things will be back on the published schedules.
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Old 16-10-2020, 13:18   #13
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elie View Post
For a sailboat, dismasting is mandatory, but easy done with experts at both ends of the cannal. It is a pleasant run if you take your time and visit small town along the way. However it would take longer. I once in a hurry, went trough all lock starting very early at Troy. I shall add that the lock operator in early spring where very helpfull and comunicated from lock to lock so they where ready to pass our boat.
Amen on lock operators being helpful. I think it all comes down how you treat them. An A-hole can have another experience. That water can come in or flow out at there control.
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Old 16-10-2020, 13:29   #14
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

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Originally Posted by tootalltony View Post
My air draft is about 10 ft. How long a trip is it from the south end of Lake Champlain to NYC?.........traveling around 10 k or less and running 8 or 9 hrs a day?
You can do it comfortably in three days if you use the tide on the river. It is noticeable even up to Albany.
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Old 16-10-2020, 13:40   #15
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Re: Lake Champlain to Hudson River

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Originally Posted by CaptTom View Post
We did this (in the other direction) in 2016, as part of our Down East Loop. I did a bit of a blog of the trip. The segment from Albany to Lake Champlain starts here.



Thanks so much for that link, great story, well written, informative and fun!
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