GL: Boats for Looping

[M S]

Haven't made it that far. We started on Lake Michigan. We are taking two years
and have stopped in the Carolina's for the summer. We will winter in northern
florida and finish next spring.
 
We are planning to do the Erie Canal (work related reasons). I don't know
about the other canals but none of the marinas along the river system charged
us for the extra 3-4 feet.
 
Does anyone know if the canal folks actually get a tape measure out or do they
generally just accept the length you tell them?
 
This got me curious so I looked it up (each system has the same prices, but I
assume you would have to pay for each seperately). A seasonal lockage pass is
$8.80/ft and a seasonal morring pass is $9.80/ft. Assume 4 ft extra and round
up to $20/ft for both and you are talking about and extra $80. Assuming you
plan your trip, there are cheaper options. Assuming you get 3-4 days of
sailing along the loop, the fuel savings should more than make up for the
extra cost. Also, most sail boats while traveling slower get better fuel
economy than trawlers (yes there are exceptions. See the past discussions of
fuel economy.).
 
On a related note: Assuming you can't raise and lower the mast without outside
help, figure another $150-$200 for a marina with a crane to do the job.
 
Mike & Tammy
Valhalla II

--- On Mon, 8/18/08, John & Judy Gill <twojscom at quadnet.net> wrote:

What did you do on the Rideau Waterway and on the Trent-Severn 
Waterway or did you skip two of the most beautiful areas of the Great 
Loop?  If you take the mast aboard, you would be charged for the 
total length of the boat and the mast -- correct?