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Old 06-06-2022, 09:18   #1
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Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Good day all! I'm in the process of arranging the logistics to deliver my new-to-me Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 from Florida to Lake Champlain, upstate NY.

Having hired a captain to assist me, we'll sail on the Atlantic headed North (No ICW: I want to gain some experience ocean-sailing) and enter the Hudson River in NYC. At some point, we'll need to remove the mast on the Hudson, and later on, before entering Lake Champlain, we'd like to put it back up.

Does anyone have preferred marinas where they do this, both taking down the mast and stepping it back up? Are there signs that say "Last marina to take down your mast"? Gas stations have that: "Last gas for 350 miles". Having the same on a marina would be handy.

All advice and suggestions are appreciated: This will be my first trip up from FL to NY, with a new boat, at that.

Thanks!
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Old 06-06-2022, 09:48   #2
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

We dock in Catskill, NY, which is the last stop for unstepping masts going north and stepping them going south. The two marinas providing services are Riverview Marina and Hop-o-nose Marina. I would check ahead to see who has time to get to you the fastest. Nice sailing along the Hudson up here if you leave your sails up, by the way, but winds can change in minutes and you can get surprised with high winds without warning.
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Old 06-06-2022, 10:13   #3
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

I’m a fan of the Castleton-on-Hudson self serve crane at the Castleton-on-Hudson Boat Club
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Old 06-06-2022, 10:16   #4
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

You have the two choices, Catskill (they do it) and Castleton (you do it). I have done it both ways with different boats. At Castleton you need to know what you are doing but it is much cheaper.
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Old 06-06-2022, 10:21   #5
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Quote:
Originally Posted by AiniA View Post
You have the two choices, Catskill (they do it) and Castleton (you do it). I have done it both ways with different boats. At Castleton you need to know what you are doing but it is much cheaper.
This^^^.
To step, I would do it at the marina you'll be staying on the Champlain.
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Old 06-06-2022, 12:25   #6
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Thanks so much!

I was planning on un-stepping the mast as far North as possible (I guess that would be Catskill, and thought it best to step the mast back up when we got to our final destination. However, the delivery captain I'm hiring is referred to as a specialist in this kind of stuff, and said that he'd rather un-step as late as possible, and re-step ASAP past the canals.

It doesn't help that we'll be arriving on the lake at the very bottom (South) of Lake Champlain, and my final destination is the absolute top (North) of the lake, over 200 km away from the last lock. According to other forums, catching bad weather with a mast tied to the cabin top isn't great.

I'll call the marinas you mention and see how we can go about it. Thanks again!
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Old 07-06-2022, 05:22   #7
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

I lived on Lake Champlain for 25 years. I have taken my cat and monohull up and down several times.
Sean at Hop-O-Nose is a great guy. He also makes great crab cakes.
Have fun. Lake Champlain is a beautiful and very special,place.
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Old 07-06-2022, 05:25   #8
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

No body has mentioned where he can put it up again when entering Lake Champlain at the south end?
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Old 07-06-2022, 06:49   #9
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Of the two marinas in Catskiil, I far prefer Riverside Marina. We had our mast stepped there last summer and will be there in a week or two to unstep the mast for our trip back up the Erie Canal.

When you unstep the mast you will need to have a mast cradle ready to receive the mast. There is a limited supply of lumber at Riverside and they will lend you some tools. A Lowe's Hardware store is nearby, however is it not within walking distance. Ratcheting straps are the most secure way to hold the mast in place.

The more secure the mast is and the sturdier the cradle is the safer the mast will be. Also protect the butt and head of the mast with buckets or small trash cans. The mast ends can come in contact with the lock walls.
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Old 07-06-2022, 07:09   #10
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

hi
I have used both Hop-o-nose and Castleton. Castleton is diy , a little farther north than Catskill Creek and Cheaper. Hop-o-nose and Riverside are very professional, quick and easy. the last tine I was there you could anchor in the creek and get ready for the stepping/destepping, go to the dock and you are done. In Champlain I used Westport Marina at the south end of Champlain on the NY side If you have to make a frame to carry your spar you might want to call ahead and see if they have any lumber laying around. Quite often boaters leave their old frames and you may find something useful there.
Cheers
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Old 07-06-2022, 07:22   #11
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Quote:
Originally Posted by sail34 View Post
hi
I have used both Hop-o-nose and Castleton. Castleton is diy , a little farther north than Catskill Creek and Cheaper. Hop-o-nose and Riverside are very professional, quick and easy. the last tine I was there you could anchor in the creek and get ready for the stepping/destepping, go to the dock and you are done. In Champlain I used Westport Marina at the south end of Champlain on the NY side If you have to make a frame to carry your spar you might want to call ahead and see if they have any lumber laying around. Quite often boaters leave their old frames and you may find something useful there.
Cheers
Be considerate, many boaters leave their cradles and expect them to be there when they return. I am one of those boaters. If the cradle has a boat name on it and a return date, please do not use that cradle. Our cradle is well labeled with boat name and a return date, Second Star, returning August 2022.
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Old 07-06-2022, 07:46   #12
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Email me at GilBagnell@iCloud.com if you need a ride in Catskill. We have a pickup truck and can run you to Lowes if you need to get lumber. At Hop-o-nose they build cradles for the mast when we come out of the water in winter, but not sure if they offer that service when they unstep masts.
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Old 07-06-2022, 08:11   #13
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Thanks so much! The ordeal looked daunting when I started planning this delivery (from FL to our dock in Rouses Point); now, thanks to your assistance, it's scary as sh*t, but it no longer feels way beyond my abilities.

Last week of June, we'll be 1-sailing the Atlantic from FL to NYC; 2- navigating the Hudson, and then 3- navigating the canals. I think it'll be a massive learning experience.

If you see a boat that obviously looks a little lost in the proceedings, wave! We'll wave back, I promise!

Thanks again.
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Old 07-06-2022, 09:12   #14
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Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

Quote:
Originally Posted by wannacat View Post
No body has mentioned where he can put it up again when entering Lake Champlain at the south end?


Chipman Point can put the mast back up. They raise and lower masts regularly.

Chipman Point Marina
(802) 948-2288
https://goo.gl/maps/4hv45re1GfW89MxT9
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Old 07-06-2022, 14:30   #15
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Re: Mast and de-demast on Champlain canal / Hudson river

+1 for Castleton
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