Day 5-6 Waterford to Albany NY, Erie Canal and The Hudson River.

Travelling with two boats containing 6 children under 13, starting at the age of 4. Yes, we needing a few breaks along the way, considering all this, we have been making pretty good progress. We pretty much made it through the canals, Oswego to Watertown, to the top of the Hudson in about 6 to 7 days. I guess if you were in a real rush, it could be done in 4-5 days, but that would be no fun right!

The largest lift/drop in the world, within the shortest distance is the 3-4 locks dropping you down to Waterford, NY. This is the junction where the Erie Canal, Lake Champlain Canal and Hudson Meet. It is also where you start having to deal with tides and tidal currents. Can you believe that the top of the Hudson experiences 3-4 foot tides and a tidal current of 2 knots. These currents can either give you a lift and increase your speed over the ground, or slow you down if you are running against them.

Last lock is the Troy City Federal Lock, a little more formal, lots of commercial traffic, from here to New York City, there will be lots of Barge Traffic, keep a good watch, especially if travelling at night. The barges will display lights that will notify you if they are towing a long line, pushing or pulling. Very important, at one time at night, I almost crossed a long 1000 foot tow line. Always be careful around these guys.

Albany, NY. along the Hudson.

Albany, NY. along the Hudson.

Battleship in Albany, NY., Now a Museum.

Battleship in Albany, NY., Now a Museum.

We arrived in Albany at about 3pm, settled in, even had time to do all the laundry from the last week.

Albany Yacht club is small, only a few slips, but cute and cozy. The members are amazing and very friendly. My favourite feature was the little Tiki Bar over looking the river. It was an abandoned gazebo from one of the local parks. The members claimed it, and had a local artist beautify it. On the front of it please notice the large stuffed marlin! The drinks are free at this bar. There is a cooler – have a seat and just grab a beer and relax. At some point you might want to throw a few beers back in for some others to enjoy.

PCYC Burgee

I left our PCYC Burgee for the Dock Masters Office, as you can see its front and centre.

Amtrak Train on the Hudson.

Amtrak Train on the Hudson.

Light House on the Hudson.

Light House on the Hudson.

Check these links from our trip 5 years ago, through the same area!

Day 5 – 33 Locks through the Canals!

http://www.sailboatcruise.ca/2008/10/22/locks/

Day 6 – Hudson River, Waterford to Castleton

http://www.sailboatcruise.ca/2008/10/22/castleton/

s/v Black Diamond

With almost 30,000 Nautical miles of experience and 1,800+ sea days and nights on the water. (1,800 sea days is like 5 years on the water, 365 days a year!) I am an RYA Skipper and ICC International Competent Captain, currently working on my RYA Yacht Master with a Commercial endorsement for a 200 ton vessel. My qualifications include; MED A2 Emergency Safety at Sea, Helicopter Rescue, Life raft deployment and use, Offshore Rescue and Fire Fighting at Sea, etc, STCW Code A-VI/1-3, Canadian Equivalent Marine First Aid and CPR/AED. I am an Open Water Certified diver and completed various CYA & Canadian Power and Sail Squadron certifications which include Power/Sailboat handling, Seamanship Sail, Piloting/charting, CYA Coastal Navigation, GPS Navigation, Extended Offshore Cruising, VHF Radio operation license and a Toronto Harbour License. I am now providing skippered charters and yacht deliveries globally, including crew positions for offshore passages. However, my specialities are the Bahamas, US East Coast, The Great Lakes, Welland Canal, Erie Canal and the Adriatic Sea, Croatia, looking to add Greece. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

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