sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

[louha]

Can this be done? Boat is 39ft Cruisers w/13ft beam, we are relocating in late spring. We are just starting to research this and would appreciate any input or suggestions on how to find this out. If this is possible what are the quickest routes available, positives or drawbacks. My husband insists that it can be done please prove him right. If not possible, any hints on other transportation.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

My husband insists that it can be done please prove him right.

Sure.......<br /><br />There are Several ways to go............<br /><br />Down around Fla.... And Up the Mississippi.....thru Chi-town,+ beyond......<br /><br />Or, Up the Atlantic Coast,+ Back up the St. Lawrence River, thru the Seaway to your destination.....<br /><br />Or, Up the Hudson River to the Champlain Canal, to Lake Champlain,+ on to the St. Lawrence River at Montreal..........<br /><br />Or, Up the Hudson to Albany,+ take a left turn,+ run the Erie Canal over to Lake Erie............<br /><br />I'm Sure there are Other Avenues...... Those are the 1s I can think of Quickly.............<br /><br />Time Wise, I have No Idea.....<br /><br />I do know the Canals have a Speed Limit.... And, If you get to the Next Lock to Soon, You'll be detained,+ otherwise jerked around, Just so you'll Understand they Mean the Speed Limit........<br /><br />Sounds like a Fantastic Trip.......... Wish I could come along............ <br /><br /><br />BTW,<br />Welcome to the forums here at iboats.com.........

 

[jollymon]

Re: sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

I have a friend that bought a boat from some one on Lake Erie, he brought the boat back to the Delalware river. This trip took him 7 days. He siad he would have like to take at least 10 days, but it was the last week the erie canal was open, so he was under a time restraint.<br /><br />For you the trip would be Hudson, to Albany, then take the Erie Canal to Lake Erie (At some point you can cut over to Lake Ontario depending on conditions) then thru the lake to Lake Michigan. <br /><br />It cost him about 1/3 of what it would have cost to have it trucked, never mind what he would have needed to take apart to get it there.<br /><br />Here is the link to the NY canal system:<br /> http://www.canals.state.ny.us/ <br />That can give you alot of info for the first half of the trip.<br /><br />Most of the time on the canal you can dock for free, with water and sometimnes electric. Some of the locks also have shower facilities ect...<br /><br />Order the Canal Cruise Guide for alot more infomation.<br /><br />I hope to do the canal during the summer of 2006.<br /><br />Good Luck Keep us posted.

 

[PAkev]

Re: sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

New York has a fairly comprehensive and functional canal system. I second the Hudson, Erie canal route for enjoyment but via. Lake Ontario if you want to get there faster.<br /><br />Oh Yea......<br />You will also have to dig out a few sheckles for some lock passes.

 

[swist]

Re: sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

You can't be in a hurry to do canals. The speed limit is 10 kts or so, but by the time you factor in the locking time your effective speed isn't going to be a lot more than a fast walk. <br /><br />When you first enter the Erie canal just above Albany there are a very large number of locks over a very short distance to get you over the highest point (on the canal) of the Appalachians. It can take you 2 days to go from Albany to Schenectady (under 1/2 hr by car).

 

[swist]

Re: sail from NY city to Lake Superior MI

Just found the web site - my info is about right. Speed limit is 10 mph and there are 57 locks if you go all the way from Albany to Buffalo without detouring through Lake Ontario when your engine (and you!) get tired of almost idle speed. They say it takes 5 days. I think that's if you keep moving, but one of the pleasures of such a trip would be to stop periodically to take in the small towns along the way. It's not the Canal de Bourgogne, but still pretty scenic parts (in a quiet kind of way) - I've driven the route many times.<br /><br />I've done canal touring in Europe. In every case our planned itenerary got cut way back when we saw what our effective speed turned out to be.<br /><br />But "go fast" is not why you do canal boating.