Now the Erie Canal

Statistics as of today at Schenectady, NY on the Erie Canal:

•   4,810 Total Miles since beginning of the Great Loop on 10/3/10  4,908 Total Gallons of Diesel Used
•        34 Total Locks
• $3.62   Average Cost of Fuel
• $85      Average Daily Cost of Dockage
• 389      Days on the Great Loop
• $216    Average Cost Per Day

Statistics since leaving Branford Connecticut for Phase II:

• 238    Miles Traveled Since 7/2/12
• 167    Total Gallons Used (includes sea trial)
•     7    Locks
• 221    Total Lift above Sea Level

On Thursday (7/12) we departed Catskill, NY at 11:13 PM after refueling (187 gallons @ 4.17/gal), pumping out and filling the water tank.  We also reinflated the special 18" ball fenders that we use in the locks using the air compressor at the marina.  With full fuel and provisions we were ready for the next phasre of our journey.

Guided Discovery at the Riverview gas dock

We also dealth with a stow-away (a Black Swallowtail) who left after I opened the vent window.  Note: I collected butterflies as a kid and caught and mounded another of Black Swallowtails.

Four hours later we arrived in Albany, NY and docked at the Albany Yacht Club (name more impressive than the facility) on the east side of the Hudson (actually Rensellear).  This was a slower run as the current was running against us.  That said, we only lost 1 mile per hour. 

Lighthouse on the way to Albany

Given the 90+ degree temperature and the fact that we were some distance from the city, we passed on exploring the downtown.

Last remaining WWII Destroyer tied up in Albany

View of Albany from the Hudson

On Friday morning (today) at 8:15 AM we were on the river again headed for Schenectady on the Erie Canal, which we reached at 9:52 after passing through Watervaliet and Lock 1, at Troy NY (14 foot lift).

Lock 1 on the Hudson

Enterance to the Erie Canal

The next challenge was Locks 2 through 6, which altogether raise us 169 feet.  These are big lifts, averaging 33 feet each, and this all takes place in a mile and a half.  We traversed these five locks in 91 minutes, largley due to the fact that we were the only boat using the locks and the incredible efficience of the lock operators.

Entering Lock 3 on the Erie Canal

Once we cleared lock 6 we were on the Mohawk River, where we traveled for 2 more hours to Schenectady (including Lock 7 with its 27 foot lift).  All in all, we had lifted 221 feet in a total of 7 locks.  We docked at the Schenectady Yacht Club at 1:40 PM.

Guided Discovery at Schenectady rigged for lock running

We spent part of the afternoon entertaining Kodi.  It started when Diana took Kodi of leash.  Kodi immediately headed into the water and got muddy.  Oops.  Time for a bath.  Before the bath, we let Kodi swim off the boat, which involved taking the dingy of the swim platform.  Kodi had a great time.  However, all good things must come to an end.  We then gave Kodi a well deserved bath.

Around 5:00 PM, Kodi and I dingied 2 miles west to explore the city when we discovered the The Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant right on the river. Ileft Kodi on a porch by the bar enterance while I went in to check the menu.  When I returned to Kodi she was engaging four of the wait staff who had voluntarily brough her a bowl of water.  We then entertained the them with our classic repetoir of Kodi tricks, which including her counting to all number between one and five and reteiving objects (her collar and leash in the correct order).

The Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant

At 6:30 PM, Diana and I dingied back to the Lighthouse for a spectacular dinner.  It was great fun speeding up and down the flat water at 20 MPH.

Written by Les.