Routes from Chesapeake to Great Lakes

[Mike OReilly]

Going later so you arrive in the Great Lakes in June would be best. It would be a great trip. Just note, June tends to be the fog month, especially on the upper Lakes. But that's better than ice and bitter cold.

Valhalla360 covers all the possible routes well. My understanding is that the Trent Severn Canal's maximum draft allowance if 5'. If you're deeper than that then you've got to take the Welland Canal to L. Erie. I believe they require at least three crew on the Welland Canal if you're up-bound (down-bound two is the minimum).

As I say, it would be a great trip if you have the time. We're planning a similar trip, but in reverse. Maybe we'll cross paths .

[svseachange]

I would not go out of the Erie Canal into Lake Ontario. If you do this you miss the best part of the Erie Canal.

The Erie Canal is pretty mundane between the Hudson River and Oswego because it follows rhe Mohawk River. It gets better and better as you head west from the Oswego cutoff because it follows an older, more quaint and interesting route.

The towns along the western part of the welcome cruisers with free dockage, and sometime free electricity, Internet, showers and laundry too!

The Skipper Bobs guide is indispensable.

[Frankie Boy]

I have the same trip in mind but in the opposite direction. I've purchased a Allmand35 sloop on lake Erie but live on the Chesapeake bay. I am a member of Hance Point Yacht Club. My friends are all suggesting that I truck it down. I think mostly because I believe they are busy and know of the long trip. Don't get me wrong I love them all but don't want to stress them in having to help me. They are all good people and great sailors.

I am determined to motor south through the canal then sail south down the hudson bay. To me I'm defeating the idea and the adventure by having someone drive it down. If I were that guy I wouldn't sail at all, Id sit at the shore and watch others.

Maybe we can talk about our respective trips Frank

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Frankie Boy

I have the same trip in mind but in the opposite direction. I've purchased a Allmand35 sloop on lake Erie but live on the Chesapeake bay. I am a member of Hance Point Yacht Club. My friends are all suggesting that I truck it down. I think mostly because I believe they are busy and know of the long trip. Don't get me wrong I love them all but don't want to stress them in having to help me. They are all good people and great sailors.

I am determined to motor south through the canal then sail south down the hudson bay. To me I'm defeating the idea and the adventure by having someone drive it down. If I were that guy I wouldn't sail at all, Id sit at the shore and watch others.

Maybe we can talk about our respective trips Frank

Welcome to the Forum, Frankie Boy

As often happens, you've stumbled across a quite old thread (this one is from 2014) and the CF Member who started it last logged in
in September, 2019...

LittleWing77

[Greatest Lakes]

I agree with asking the aglca. The absolute earliest to start getting into the great lakes is usually early April. And you may still have some brisk days. Icicles frozen on the lifelines at an angle from being under sail is a neat experience. Wish I had pictures.

[MGRodems]

Frankie Boy:

Welcome. We are currently on Lake Erie and plan on heading to the Chesapeake this year via the canal and Hudson with a side trip to Maine.

We made the trip from Annapolis to Buffalo in 1990 in a C&C 35. It was a really great trip. We had 4 aboard - wife and 2 children (4 and 7 years old). Aslo a cat. It took three weeks, but we had about 8 days where we did not go anywhere for various reasons (mechanical, sight seeing, etc.). Unstepped our mast easily with a rental crane at the beginning of the canal on the Hudson.

It can be done easily with two aboard. Last year the canal had shoaling issues, so we may need to watch for that in 2022. The trip in 1990 was beautiful and I never considered moving the boat any other way.

[AiniA]

Originally Posted by MGRodems

Frankie Boy:

Welcome. We are currently on Lake Erie and plan on heading to the Chesapeake this year via the canal and Hudson with a side trip to Maine.

We made the trip from Annapolis to Buffalo in 1990 in a C&C 35. It was a really great trip. We had 4 aboard - wife and 2 children (4 and 7 years old). Aslo a cat. It took three weeks, but we had about 8 days where we did not go anywhere for various reasons (mechanical, sight seeing, etc.). Unstepped our mast easily with a rental crane at the beginning of the canal on the Hudson.

It can be done easily with two aboard. Last year the canal had shoaling issues, so we may need to watch for that in 2022. The trip in 1990 was beautiful and I never considered moving the boat any other way.

If you have time and want to go to Maine, consider going down the St Lawrence and around. There are some really great cruising grounds to be had.

[Rovian]

Hi AiniA,

Did you take that route around the North-east already? I'm considering the alternatives and wonder how much longer I would need.

Please PM with any details.