Kevin, There's not really a bug season on the NY Canals. After dark ya get mosquitos wherever there is nearby forest, but in towns it's not a big deal. You do need screens on your windows. Daytimes nothing really. You get a few horseflies when you pass dairy farms, so bring your fly swatter. The Champlain Canal allows about 17 feet air draft and the eastern Erie and Oswego canals allow around 22 feet. Your 4.5 feet water draft is no problem anywhere in NY. You cannot go to the western Erie which has a bit over 15 feet air draft available. After heavy rains the water levels may be a bit higher and air draft reduced, but this is rare, though it does happen ... it usualy reduces again in 2-3 days. There is no particular season when this might happen. Fred Tug 44 ---------------------------------------- From: "Kevin Kearney" <lotusman1951@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 8:54 AM To: great-loop@lists.samurai.com Subject: GL: Bugs and such. Hi all new to this list--The plan is to attend Pete Seegers 90th Birthday on the Hudson near Beacon June 20th--and continue north after that. There has to be a "Bug Season" between the Finger Lakes and Camplain? When would that be--and what type of bugs? In the North to Champlain route-I am with 16ft. Air Height--maybe 16.5-is there any adjustability to these , or most accurate measurement? Time of season best for passage relative to water level-wet/dry? I kinda want to hang out, I travel with a bicycle and small motorbike and like exploring, Home based out of Annapolis-So free/cheap with electric sounds nice. So best time to travel June thru September? Our 45 ft steel trawler, carries 4.5 draft/16.5 ft air Kevin Kearney/Jolie/Baltimore till April 15th _______________________________________________ http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/great-loop

> .....and the eastern Erie and > Oswego canals allow around 22 feet. > Fred > Tug 44 The Eastern Erie Canal (that portion east of the Oswego Canal) has a clearance of 21', not "around 22 feet". There are seven bridges lower than 22', the lowest with just 21.37' at Normal Pool. That leaves about 4" of clearance if your air draft is 21'... not much! ...and don't forget to factor in wave or wake action. Pool is the height of the water in a controlled environment such as a canal. Normal Pool is the target and the usual height of the water. At (defined) Maximum Pool this bridge would have clearances of only 19.37'. The canals are usually at Normal Pool, but recent rainfall, seiche, or other factors may change this. If needed, ask each lockmaster as you pass through if the next leg is at Normal Pool (Pool level may vary each time you lock through); also check the Notices to Mariners on the NY State Canal System website for any updates. You can measure your air draft by using a level and something long and straight such as a boat pole or a 2 x 4. First measure from the highest point to a specific place on deck (usually on the centerline of the vessel). Tape the level to the straight piece, then, using the straight piece placed at the point on deck where you measured from the top of the mast (or whatever), run the straight piece out athwartship, adjusting it level and measure from it to the water. This is, of course, much easier to do with two people. Measure two or three times on both sides of the boat to validate it. Do it again if your mast/antennas/bimini can be lowered so that you know the air draft of each configuration. This should be done when the boat is near empty of provisions, fuel, water and waste and then again with a normal heavy cruising load aboard. My own 39' boat can vary about 8" in air draft between the two load levels. Also, don't forget the fore-and-aft factor. Biminis or hardtops can be higher (usually forward) at one end from the other. Fair winds and calm seas, MichaelZ