Hello Milt!
You asked...
Specifically, what are the options for getting from the Atlantic seaboard to
the St. Lawrence River? My draft is a solid 6 feet and my bridge clearance
is 35 feet, but I'm prepared to remove the mast and carry it on deck if
that's
necessary.
Dennis suggests...
The best (and only route) would be up the Hudson to Champlain and north,
then east on the St. Lawrence.
Just above Mechanic, NY is a fixed railroad bridge which is the limit of
air draft, but somewhat controllable by a power dam. It is listed as
anywhere from 15.5 feet to 17+ feet on various guides and charts. Assuming
normal water levels, your air draft needs to be 17 feet or slightly more.
They are willing, and do, adjust the water levels for vessels with just
passable air drafts, assuming the area had not had very high recent
rainfall levels. I know this only too well as we've been stranded in the
area with high water, as well as floated off a gravel bar (the maiden
voyage of our boat, Esther's confidence was shaken) by them raising the
water level for us.
As to water draft, at 6 feet you might well slide up and over a soft silty
bottom more than once, but nothing hard if you stay in the well marked
channel in the Champlain Canal. (Don't go into Fort Edward-but you can
easily walk there from a dock on the main canal stem) The same situation
exists in the Richeleau/Chombley Canal. There though, the problem is more
with weedy growth wrapping your wheel. Be prepared to dive on it to clear
accumulations. There are places where it is impossible to stay in the
channel and avoid floating weed mats.
Having said all that, if you can get under 17.0 feet or even 17.5 feet for
only the 60 miles of the Champlain Canal, you are in for a great trip with
a French culture which will take you back to your Med experiences. But, the
fishing will not be nearly as good as crossing the Atlantic was!
John Camm on Seahorse has had much more experience transiting the Champlain
Canal with deep water draft than I and can add to this perhaps.
Dennis
Dennis Bruckel, Cruising Editor
Waterway Guide
Albin 27 Sadie B
website www.debruckel.com
cell phone 407 414 0531
Hello Milt!
You asked...
Specifically, what are the options for getting from the Atlantic seaboard to
the St. Lawrence River? My draft is a solid 6 feet and my bridge clearance
is 35 feet, but I'm prepared to remove the mast and carry it on deck if
that's
necessary.
Dennis suggests...
The best (and only route) would be up the Hudson to Champlain and north,
then east on the St. Lawrence.
Just above Mechanic, NY is a fixed railroad bridge which is the limit of
air draft, but somewhat controllable by a power dam. It is listed as
anywhere from 15.5 feet to 17+ feet on various guides and charts. Assuming
normal water levels, your air draft needs to be 17 feet or slightly more.
They are willing, and do, adjust the water levels for vessels with just
passable air drafts, assuming the area had not had very high recent
rainfall levels. I know this only too well as we've been stranded in the
area with high water, as well as floated off a gravel bar (the maiden
voyage of our boat, Esther's confidence was shaken) by them raising the
water level for us.
As to water draft, at 6 feet you might well slide up and over a soft silty
bottom more than once, but nothing hard if you stay in the well marked
channel in the Champlain Canal. (Don't go into Fort Edward-but you can
easily walk there from a dock on the main canal stem) The same situation
exists in the Richeleau/Chombley Canal. There though, the problem is more
with weedy growth wrapping your wheel. Be prepared to dive on it to clear
accumulations. There are places where it is impossible to stay in the
channel and avoid floating weed mats.
Having said all that, if you can get under 17.0 feet or even 17.5 feet for
only the 60 miles of the Champlain Canal, you are in for a great trip with
a French culture which will take you back to your Med experiences. But, the
fishing will not be nearly as good as crossing the Atlantic was!
John Camm on Seahorse has had much more experience transiting the Champlain
Canal with deep water draft than I and can add to this perhaps.
Dennis
Dennis Bruckel, Cruising Editor
Waterway Guide
Albin 27 Sadie B
website www.debruckel.com
cell phone 407 414 0531
