GL: Champlain Canal

[Jim Ague]

> My question I guess is:  What is the best way to rig
> the vessel for the canals?

I've never tried it, but I suspect single-handling on the NY canals can be 
done with either a good pilot or a smallish boat, or both. NY canals have 
either vertical pipes, cables or ladders, or hanging ropes, or some 
combination of the four. For a solo operator pipes and cables will be the 
easiest of the four. Ladders next, and finally ropes. Ropes may be 
impossible except for vessels under 30 feet.

Always keep fenders out, gloves and line pole available, and have a line 
prepared on the mid-ship cleat. Bring the boat to a dead stop so that the 
midship cleat is right next to the pipe, cable or ladder, and within arms 
reach. Windy days while locking down can make this difficult.

Leave the helm and wrap the line around the pipe or cable and bring the 
bitter end back to the boat tieing to the cleat, or hang on to the ladder. 
As the vessel lowers or rises you may have to apply pressure for or aft of 
the midcleat in order to keep somewhat parallel to the lock wall. You may 
also have to loosen the line tied at the cleat, particularly when locking up 
and the lock nearly fills to its top.

If your only choice is a rope, good luck. You'll want to hang on to the rope 
at midship. The big problem is that when you're at the bottom of a deep 
lock, the turbulence can wash you quite a ways from the wall.

-- Jim Ague