Boating Adventures

I meant to write along the Erie Canal, but didn’t have much to say.  I’ve done the trip a couple of times before.

I left Waterford on opening day Friday.  The first lock was at 0800 and I was in the fourth fleet of about 11 boats leaving at 1100.  For the first two days we traveled largely as a group, with a lock every few miles.

I was a little concerned about boat handling as I’m operating without thrusters.  I was unable to resuscitate the bow thruster.  But the weather was fair and I had no issues.  I was always second into the locks and able to do a midship tie on a fixed cable, or a ladder where there was no cable.  This worked very well for me.

Wednesday afternoon I arrived in Oswego to a flat lake, and headed out.  Anchored next to Galloo Island and arrived in Kingston Wednesday, then up the Rideau Canal to Lower Brewer’s Lock.

I’m now back on the boat after a few days ashore with family.  It was nice to get back to Canada and off the boat.

Going through my pics, this one has a story

As the water was being lowered I was standing amidships holding on to the ladder, or a line fed through a rung.  Pretty relaxed generally, but only a couple of feet between the cabin side and the dock wall.

All was fine, and we were down maybe ten feet when I unexpectedly came face to face with a big frog sitting on a ladder rung.  I was so startled I let out a big shriek that startled everyone in the lock!

I’m glad it had the sense to stay put. 

Not much else of note, except an interesting modern day sailor spotted in Confederation Basin. 

I’m tied up at the town dock in Waterford.  It was a relaxed trip up the river, and fun to travel almost all the way with a tail current by timing the tides.

The NY canal system is scheduled to open on Friday, and I’m here until then.  My original plan was to go through Lake Champlain, but I’ve decided to take the more direct route through the Erie Canal to Oswego.  It’ll put me in Ontario faster and saves having to round up crew for the Seaway and Chambly locks.

It’s nice to stop for a few days.  As usual I have things to do aboard.  My bow thruster stopped working in the Bahamas, and I could use it for the next couple of weeks of locking.  And the outside needs a good wash down.  Get all that salt off.

I realize it’s been a week since I last posted.  I haven’t had much to say. 

I spent five days roaming the CT coast and rivers.  Went up the Connecticut River to Hartford, then followed the shoreline back towards NYC.

Yesterday I had a fun day exploring around Mamaroneck and City Island.  I was planning to stay there, but the tides were right in the afternoon for a passage through NYC so I pressed on.  Turned right at the Harlem River and went through that way to the Hudson.  I stayed just below the Tappan Zee bridge last night.

Today I traveled with the inbound current up to Poughkeepsie.  I’m here until noon tomorrow when I catch the next inbound tide.

It’s quite beautiful through here.  I’m looking forward to heading north from Albany through the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain.  That’ll be new territory for me.

I’m tied up for the night on the town dock in Norwich, at the head of the Thames River.  Nice spot.  People fishing and hanging out in the park.  Had some good Indian takeout for dinner.

A lot of the lower section of the river is devoted to submarines.  There’s a big base as well as a builder.  I knew it was around here somewhere.

Tomorrow I leave with the tide, heading down to the shore and hopping south to the Connecticut River. 

I’m anchored here for a bit.  Nice trip across from Long Island.  I was ashore this afternoon wandering around town and tomorrow will visit the Seaport Museum.  I was here over 40 years ago in the winter time.  Looking forward to visiting again.

I love poking around this time of year.  The best anchorages are open, and most local boats are still under wraps.

I’m anchored here, sheltered from the east wind.  Tomorrow I’ll head over to the Connecticut side.  I’d like to stop in Mystic for a day or two.

Yesterday I stopped in Shinnecook Bay, and this morning came through the Shinnecook Canal, and around the north side of Shelter Island.

I’m sure things will look quite different around here in a month.  Right now it’s pretty quiet. 

After my last post I decided to go into Jamaica Bay, and I anchored near JFK for the night.  Had planes taking off over the boat, which is always entertaining.

Yesterday I went out around Rockaway and in at the East Rockaway Inlet.  Last night I anchored next to the Fire Island lighthouse and hiked around a bit.  Neat area.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting  through here.  I didn’t realize the barrier Islands run 2/3 the length of the island.  Today I’m noodling east.  At Shinnecook Bay there’s a fork in the route.  My inclination is to head into Great Peconic Bay from there.

This is mostly new territory for me, so lots of pics.  If recent posts seem light on details and pics it’s because I’ve done most of it before.  Go back six years and you’ll see my first trip on Mazurka.

Also my tracker is on, and you can see my recent route here for those following along in near-real time.

To catch up – I’m anchored here.  Nice spot, lots of birds, and golfers on the left.  Manhatten skyline astern.

Yesterday I set out to explore three rivers in NJ – Raritan, Hackensack and Passaic.  I had high hopes for going some distance up each.  In all cases I was blocked by closed train bridges that were too low. 

By the end of the day I had covered the NJ side and and stopped in Newark immediately adjacent to Red Bull Marina.  There’s a park and dinghy dock there.  Had a burger out at a local bar.  Nice.

Today I headed out the harbour and over to Coney Island and in here.  Neat area.  I’ve never been to Long Island.  I like the seaside view so far. 

I haven’t moved Escapade since arriving.  It’s quiet here, a few boats fishing in the bay and people fishing and hanging out along the shore.  It’s all part of the national park where I am.  Dinghy access to shore is decent, and I’ve managed to get stores and do laundry and enjoy some meals out.

I tore apart my cooling system end to end.  Discovered a somewhat suspect connection on the suction side of the pump, and replaced a hose.  But there was no smoking gun.  Transmission oil cooler is clean and unobstructed.  I’ve run the engine a couple of times, and still seem to have a problem at startup, where water won’t start flowing unless I increase engine speed.  Will be keeping a close eye on it as I get back underway. 

My other mission was to get a replacement fuel filter for the generator, which I did after discovering that it’s a common automotive part. 

Tomorrow I’m going to fuel up and get underway.  Not sure where, but there’s lots of this area I haven’t seen.

I had a smooth trip, and am anchored here. 

NY Harbor was eerily quiet.  I didn’t encounter any boats.  Then shortly after anchoring the CG called on the radio and got all my deets.  Better than boarding, I guess.

I’ve got a few tasks to attend to before I start my local cruise.  This is a good stopping spot.