Transiting the Erie Canal West to East

[Mjames]

So we are about to head east on the Canal in a 43ft. Hunter. Mast comes off tomorrow in Buffalo. With mast up she is 65 feet. I noticed two bridges on the Hudson beyond where masts are usually stepped and they are only 60 feet. So how does a 65 foot boat transit the Erie Canal? I appreciate any advice, thanks!

[Bill O]

After exiting the canal we stepped the masts again in Castleton on the Hudson (Castleton Boat Club) and avoided the several bridges that were 60-61'.

CBC is a diy mast stepping and was very easy after helping others do their masts.

[Mjames]

Thanks! I saw Castleton but our rig is a bit much for me to do diy. I wonder where the next place south that can provide full stepping rigging services. Appreciate the response! Any further help appreciated.

[chris mac]

In 2019 we re stepped in hop-o-nose. Out mast is 63.5 plus antenna. Had no problems past that I can remember.
From memory, it was about $300 to step the mast. Pretty much identical to dropping the mast in Oswego.

[boatpoker]

Coeymans Marina or Hop-o-Nose Marina

[Mjames]

Thanks all! I just can’t figure how to get past these 60 foot bridges on the Hudson. Perhaps I call hop-o-nose and ask advice?

[rslifkin]

It looks like the 60 foot bridges are all between Troy and Albany. So Hop-O-Nose and most of the other typical mast stepping locations will have you putting the mast up after you've already gone under the last 60 foot bridge.

[Mjames]

Thanks for the response. However we are going east so the offending bridges are after hop-o-nose.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Mjames

Thanks all! I just can’t figure how to get past these 60 foot bridges on the Hudson. Perhaps I call hop-o-nose and ask advice?

You get past those bridges by stepping your mast AFTER you pass through them at the Catskills. Go to Hop o-nose or Riverview.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Mjames

Thanks for the response. However we are going east so the offending bridges are after hop-o-nose.

The 60 foot bridges are all North of Hop-O-Nose. Once you get out of the canal going East and start down the Hudson going South, you go through the Troy lock, then south through Albany. Once you're past Albany, you're past the last 60 foot bridge. Hop-O-Nose is a bit further south than that.



Where are you seeing a 60 foot bridge that you'd encounter after putting the mast up?

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Mjames

Thanks for the response. However we are going east so the offending bridges are after hop-o-nose.

Sorry, but there are no 60ft bridges after Hop o-nose (south of)...

Hop o-nose is on the Hudson, you'll be heading SOUTH at that point not east!

[Mjames]

Thanks to all! I called hop-o-nos and you guys were right. No lower bridges between them and NYC. The low bridge I saw was Dunns (which I thought was appropriate when I saw it was only 60 ft clearance). Thanks again all. This AM we officially entered the Erie Canal.