Routes from Chesapeake to Great Lakes

[ricre2]

This spring I plan to bring a 45' sloop from Chesapeak Bay to Lake Michigan and would appreciate any suggestions as to the best route. Please consider that this will be in the early spring. Thanks

[rockDAWG]

By truck, less headache, cheaper and less time, especially if you are willing to wait for an empty truck bed to north.

[darylat8750]

Truck may be less expensive but it would be a shame to miss the Erie Canal and the Great lakes. You are going to have to pull the mast anyway.......

[hpeer]

Plan C would be via Nova Scotia, Canso canal.

Early spring might have Northerlies.

[ricre2]

Anyone know any reasonable sailboat trucking outfits?

[hpeer]

uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Cars or Moves

Reverse auction for shipping

[rockDAWG]

Check out these old posts to start.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ats-51024.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tle-37736.html

[Vasco]

Early spring 2014 will not be a good time. This is just my guess from the winter we're having but if the spring runoff is bad the opening of the NY State Canal System will be delayed. The Canal is often closed in these circumstance due to high water. If you intend doing the Canal check their website for updates.

[svseachange]

It is a good trip if you have plenty have time, say at least three months. The Chesapeake is great then weather is in your favor until you hit NYC. The Erie canal is a wild card but the worst thing that happens is you get stuck in a quaint New York town for a few weeks. Lake Erie is dirty, Lakes Huron and Michigan are nice.

[valhalla360]

Trucking would be the fastest but spring is prime time, so unlikely to find an empty truck headed NB.

Most logical route: Hudson to Erie Canal, Lake Erie, Huron to Michigan. (must get under 15.5' air draft)

Reasonable Alternative 1: Hudson to Erie Canal, cut off at Oswego, the up Ontario to Lake Erie, Huron to Michigan.

Reasonable Alternative 2: Hudson to Erie Canal, Cut off at Oswego, then jump across to the Trent Severn Canal and out at the north end of Huron.

Reasonable Alternative 3: Hudson to Champlain Canal, to St. Lawrence then up Ontario with similar options.

Less Reasonable Alternative 1: The long way around to the St. Lawrence then similar to alternative 3.

Less Reasonable Alternative 2: South to the Gulf and then up the river system (upstream in a sailboat on the mississippi section of the rivers is likely a non-starter).

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by ricre2

This spring I plan to bring a 45' sloop from Chesapeak Bay to Lake Michigan and would appreciate any suggestions as to the best route. Please consider that this will be in the early spring. Thanks

Early Spring on the upper Great Lakes is going to be very tough this year. We're on track for majority ice coverage for most of the Lakes. Ice will be an issue in the bays and along shorelines well into April, and probably May as well. Spring weather can be temperamental and highly variable.

I sail Lake Superior and I won't want to be on the water until Mid-May. Truck would be my vote.

[marlinmike]

Start in May and I would go this route myself:
Reasonable Alternative 1: Hudson to Erie Canal, cut off at Oswego, the up Ontario to Lake Erie, Huron to Michigan.

[ctl411]

We used Hurricane Transport. They beat the uship quotes.

[ricre2]

Well I have received many replies which warn against an early sailing departure. If I sail I think I will wait until June. I am looking into shipping companies to check on rates. The thought of over 10K for shipping is rather daunting. Thanks to everyone for your replies. If you have had any really good experiences with shipping please let me know. I plan to leave from upper Chesapeake and end in Muskegon, MI and then on to Chicago, IL.

[Badsanta]

Check out AGLCA
American great loop cruiser association. Or books on the loop and canal system. If you need a hand let me know I have done the southern ICW and would love to go north. Maybe I'll follow you.

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