Need advice on 22ft venture

[gah964]

Hi! i got a 22ft macgregor venture last week this is my second sailboat so now i own two.The centerboard was rusted so i removed it but the reason i wanted a mac is because i wanted a boat to river cruise, maybe the Erie channel/Hudson river.So im just wondering can i just leave the center board out and make it a temp river cruiser? What do you all think i was not planning on installing the mast if im going through Erie channel, but maybe just bring it with me.
I dont really know what to do around rivers.
Thanks

[gah964]

anyone!!!