GL: Hudson River, Erie and Champlain Canals, Little Loop

[LRZeitlin at aol.com]

The boating season on the Hudson has already started and New York State's 
canals will open soon. The usual opening date is May 1. The ice has melted around 
Syracuse by then. TWL members planning to take the Little Loop or the 
Triangle Cruise around New York State and part of Canada will find most of what they 
want to know at the various canal offices. I can't speak too highly of these 
trips. They offer East Coasters the boating experience of a lifetime. Call or 
e-mail these canal offices for a lot of free stuff.

New York State Canal System         1-800-4CANAL4          
www.canals.state.ny.us

Quebec Canals         1-450-447-4888        
http://parcscanada.risq.qc.ca/canaux

Rideau Canal            1-800-230-0016        
http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/rideau

Trent-Severn Waterway   1-800-663-BOAT    http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/trent

A great trip would be up the Hudson to the Erie Canal. The Erie to the Oswego 
Canal. The Oswego to Lake Ontario to the Trent-Severn Waterway. The 
Trent-Severn to Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. Georgian Bay is quite possibly the most 
beautiful unspoiled cruising ground in North America. Then either retrace your 
steps on the Trent-Severn or sail down Lake Huron to Lake Erie and reenter the 
Erie Canal near Buffalo. An alternate trip, often called the Triangle Cruise, 
turns right after Oswego toward Kingston and the St. Lawrence. Explore the 
Thousand Islands then head down the St. Lawrence. Stop for a little R&R in 
Montreal, then head for Sorel. Turn right at Sorel and enter the Richelieu Canal to 
Lake Champlain. Cruise Champlain until you tire of crystal clear water and 
beautiful scenery. Enter the Champlain Canal and back to the Hudson. Either trip 
will give you just about every marine experience you can encounter except 
pirates, hurricanes, and salt water (except for the lower Hudson).

Marinas along the route are relatively cheap, at least compared to those 
further south along the Atlantic coast, and anchoring out is easy.

The 2008 edition of the "Cruising Guide to the Hudson" is ready and I would 
be happy to e-mail a .pdf copy to anyone who requests one. It runs about 200 
KB. The guide also contains listings of Hudson River restaurants, fuel stops, 
marinas and safe anchorages. There is a brief section on the Erie and Champlain 
Canals as well.

Larry Z


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