Buffalo, NY boatyards

[lonegull]

We're planning to transit the Erie Canal in late Sept east bound and are looking for beta about boatyards in the Buffalo area to unstep our mast. Any advice?

[MGRodems]

RCR Yachts in Buffalo is basically your only option. Wardells in Tonawanda can handle smaller masts. I have used both. What size is your boat/mast?

Last year we used RCR for our 60ft mast on an Irwin 43. In 1990 we used Wardells for a 49 ft. mast on a C&C 35.

Also, would highly recommend Riverview Marina in Catskill for the other end.

[Bill O]

Look at the NY State Canal site for a list of marinas https://www.canals.ny.gov/wwwapps/boating/marinas.aspx

Also the site has the latest list of issues in the canal systems (shoaling, lock closures, etc.) https://www.canals.ny.gov/

On the Hudson side, we used the diy gin pole at Castleton to put our masts back up. Very easy and inexpensive.

[lonegull]

Hi all, Thanks for your help. I got so busy preping the boat for our trip I didn't take time to follow up with you. We made it from Northport, Mi on the Leelanau Peninsula to Strawberry Is. in Lake St Clair this week and are having our first rest day. Taking time to make pancakes and catch up with the world. Our mast is 47' so Wardells will work but we drove through Tonawanda this summer and saw their setup, looks kind of sketchy. I'm I over thinking this?

[Rorke Miller]

Wardell’s crane is a fright. To use a boating phrase, “she will float until she sinks.” That looks like it could happen any day.

RCR works for almost any monohull.

One time I used Smith Boys. They were great, but they make too much easy money on power boat services. Not sure that they do mast work anymore.

Good luck. Have a safe trip.

Rorke (from Leelanau)

[pcmm]

In Buffalo, Anchor Marine may be able to do it. The stepped my Main an Mizzen mast back in 2016 when I was there. Their methods are a bit unconventional, but the get the job done.