Erie Canal

[weephee]

Can someone tell me if I can enter the Erie Canal from Lake Erie at Buffalo or Rochester without entering a Canadian port

[valhalla360]

Just north of Buffalo at Tonawanda you can get into the canal.

While the canal passes Rochester, it doesn't connect to Lake Ontario.

If you google NY state canal system, lots of info as it's now a linear state park.

[Bill O]

Depends which direction you are coming from, but both should be ok



If you are going on Lake Erie to Buffalo you'd enter the Erie canal through the US port.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by weephee

Can someone tell me if I can enter the Erie Canal from Lake Erie at Buffalo or Rochester without entering a Canadian port

Cruising the Erie canal (for a Canadian) requires entering a US port not a Canadian port as the canal is on the US side of Lake Ontario. Entrance to the Erie Canal from Lake Ontario would be done at Oswego with a short trip on the Oswego Canal until you get to three corners where you "take a right" where everyone else would take a left to keep heading towards the hudson river! Then its a few days on the Erie until you get to Tonawanda where you exit the canal and enter the Niagara river. and on out to Buffalo and Lake Erie.

[weephee]

Thanks for the replies. I am Canadian and purchasing an American boat on Lake Michigan. I plan to motor it down to Florida and beyond and if I bring it into a Canadian port I will be required to pay the 13% GST even if it is licensed in a state or I document it in Canada to fly a Canadian flag and never intend to sail it in Canada. My plan is Lake Michigan to Lake Huron to Lake St Clair to Lake Erie to the Erie Canal

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by weephee

Thanks for the replies. I am Canadian and purchasing an American boat on Lake Michigan. I plan to motor it down to Florida and beyond and if I bring it into a Canadian port I will be required to pay the 13% GST even if it is licensed in a state or I document it in Canada to fly a Canadian flag and never intend to sail it in Canada. My plan is Lake Michigan to Lake Huron to Lake St Clair to Lake Erie to the Erie Canal

If it's already on Lake Michigan, seriously consider taking it to Chicago and going down the river system. It's a shorter more direct route and the majority of the route, you have the current pushing you along improving speed and efficiency.

Illinois River, to Mississippi, to Ohio, to Tennessee to Tenn-Tom to Tom Bigby out at Mobile Alabama...then follow the Gulf ICW to Florida.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by weephee

Thanks for the replies. I am Canadian and purchasing an American boat on Lake Michigan. I plan to motor it down to Florida and beyond and if I bring it into a Canadian port I will be required to pay the 13% GST even if it is licensed in a state or I document it in Canada to fly a Canadian flag and never intend to sail it in Canada. My plan is Lake Michigan to Lake Huron to Lake St Clair to Lake Erie to the Erie Canal

I agree w/Valhalla this is the long way around if your eventual destination is Florida. Their suggested route would be the most direct and avoid any Canadian ports.

Also unless you get the boat out of the Great Lakes soon, you'll be encountering storm force winds. Even though the winds will be generally behind you in your intended route, do not under estimate the sea state it can create on the relatively shallow Lake Erie. It can get quite nasty w/square waves.


Bill O.

[Nicholson58]

Pick your rout and get the entire lock passage on line at a single price. Saves a lot.

[Bill O]

Tolls and fees for recreational boats are waived for the New York State canal system through 2021.


Bill O.

[Seymore]

It used to be that you could enter the Erie Canal just above the Peace Bridge. Is that still possible?

That's why the Peace bridge is elevated so high adjacent to the American side, for ships, to avoid the current in the Niagara River.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Seymore

It used to be that you could enter the Erie Canal just above the Peace Bridge. Is that still possible?

That's why the Peace bridge is elevated so high adjacent to the American side, for ships, to avoid the current in the Niagara River.

West end of the canal has a 15' clearance limit...so not really relevant how high the peace bridge is. You get in at Tonawanda.

[Nicholson58]

Good links.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal

Canal Map - New York State Canals