rslifkin
Guru
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2019
- Messages
- 7,977
- Location
- Rochester, NY
- Vessel Name
- Hour Glass
- Vessel Make
- Chris Craft 381 Catalina
And when you go through Rochester, don't forget to wave!
We did the Welland as well. Long day, but tolerable. They have now set recreational up for certain days only and you better be there when they open for the day. You're right versus the Erie. On the Erie you have some serious flights of canals but you can do a few and then just say "That's enough locks for the day." No saying that on the Welland.
We have an acquaintance who pilots there. All the St. Lawrence is a challenge with US and Canada involved and the heavy commercial traffic and their priority.
Dave, Congratulations on the boat!
Did the full length of the Erie Canal in 2017. Probably more fun going down hill through all the locks. IMO, the better part of the Erie canal for sightseeing and town stops is West of Oneida Lake. You will travel through farm lands where the canal is elevated slightly above the fields, absolutely beautiful scenery.
Winter Harbor marina in Brewerton (1.5 miles before Oneida Lake on the north side of the waterway), is where you want to buy all the fuel you can hold. Generally the best price in NY state.
East of Oneida Lake, stops get a little more challenging as far as reprovisioning. Plan ahead. If you have any questions about stops on the canal, I probably won't know the answer, but that won't keep me from responding.
Ted
Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not. -James Taylor
We are soooo happy for you, Dave!
Your delight is contagious!
Cheers,
Pea & Dan Trombley
Where did the boat name come from? What does it mean, if this has been asked before I didn’t see the answer.
Just a guess from me,
La Sylphide is a romantic ballet in two acts. There were two versions of the ballet; the original choreographed by Filippo Taglioni in 1832, and a second version choreographed by August Bournonville in 1836. Bournonville's is the only version known to have survived and is one of the world's oldest surviving ballets.
Nice name for a boat
And....I learnt somthin' new today!
We did the Welland as well. Long day, but tolerable. They have now set recreational up for certain days only and you better be there when they open for the day. You're right versus the Erie. On the Erie you have some serious flights of canals but you can do a few and then just say "That's enough locks for the day." No saying that on the Welland.
We have an acquaintance who pilots there. All the St. Lawrence is a challenge with US and Canada involved and the heavy commercial traffic and their priority.
Dave
If you stop in Spencerport dont miss the Texas BBQ joint... it is worth a stop if you like BBQ.
Newark is another great stop. Fairport nice but Newark is quieter, great facilities and all free... power, showers, laundry, and some decent restaurants in town.
From there a long day to Baldwinsville doable and another good stop but sure you have been there.
Spencerport is a good stop with nice facilities at the free dock.
If you like Texas Barbecue, don't stop. You won't leave. The Brisket is to die for! Only mistake I made was not buying some to take with me.
Ted
Dave, that is one sweet water ride. Good luck with her.
And when you go through Rochester, don't forget to wave!
Congrats on your new ride!
About 300' lift or drop between the lakes. 1 lock drops/rise about 80 ' if I remember correctly. I have only been through there with tugs and barges.
Looks even better in the pics taken by its new owner. As it should. What a great boat!
Congrats on making it through and getting the new floatie.
Congrats sir! How cool for you to be able to enjoy with your parents, after they introduced you to the boating life that not only became your recreation but your profession!
You've acquired a fine vessel and we both know you will have many fine adventures. Your only task is to take many many pictures, and share them all with us here so we can enjoy your travels too!
David
What a beautiful morning! I think I’ll take my coffee out to the aft deck and enjoy my new chairs in the peaceful serenity of nature!
https://youtu.be/Gvg5DvyvUsM
What a beautiful morning! I think I’ll take my coffee out to the aft deck and enjoy my new chairs in the peaceful serenity of nature!
https://youtu.be/Gvg5DvyvUsM
what a beautiful morning! I think i’ll take my coffee out to the aft deck and enjoy my new chairs in the peaceful serenity of nature!
https://youtu.be/gvg5dvyvusm
Tell your mom she's hot and your father that he's a lucky handsome man and that you love 'em. What a great time together. Wish my parents were still around to enjoy boating some more with me.
Well ladies and germs, it's officially official. I'm the proud new owner of Sylphide. The sale process was a long drawn out emotional roller coaster. At a couple of points I was pretty overwhelmed, and starting to second guess myself. Now that the dust has settled, though, I'm sooooo glad I went to the trouble.
It's only been a few days aboard now, so I'm still in the honeymoon phase I'm sure. So far though, I'm really loving living aboard this boat. It's tiny compared to my house, but there has been more than enough room for my folks and I to live aboard quite comfortably for the last six days. Nobody's stepping on anyone's toes, and the only thing that I haven't been able to find a good place for so far is the swiffer.
So far the only thing I can find that doesn't work is the hot water in the shower. There's hot water everywhere else, but not there. I know it's plumbed for it, so I'm thinking there's an issue with the tap or mixing valve. No worries, so far It's been easy to find a good clean shower, so I don't stink yet.
So far this trip, we've made it across Lake Ontario from Toronto, transited the Welland Canal, and are now in Tonawanda, getting ready to transit the Erie Canal. I'm really excited for this part of the trip. I've never seen this part of the canal before. I wish I had more time to shilly shally, but the goal is to get to Coeymans Landing in the next ten or so days. Should be plenty of time, but I want to stay a little ahead of 'schedule.' I'm happy to leave myself some undiscovered country for the next trip anyway.
One thing I've noticed about living on this boat, is that it attracts a lot of attention. I've had no shortage of people coming up to talk to me, which for the most part has been very pleasant. This must be what it's like to own a Lamborghini.
We'll be getting off to a bit of a late start this morning, which has been nice after all the hustle and bustle. I'll be throwing some fuel into the belly of the beast this morning, and it's eastward we go.
Pics, cuz it's totally happening:
Dave, when you get a chance, can you link to the ad that describes Sylphide? She looks similar in some ways to Seabiscuit. Enjoy (and I commented on that YT clip you posted, too).
Best wishes (from the public dock today).
I'm glad to see they're dredging that! When I was there at the beginning of August, I was showing 4.8 ft against the wall in what appears to be the same spot you're in. Depth steadily dropped on the approach and I definitely stirred up some mud with my prop wash.
Same! So lucky to be together, especially on her maiden voyage!
WOW!!! What a beaut!
Couldn't be happier for you!
Tell your mom she's hot and your father that he's a lucky handsome man and that you love 'em. What a great time together. Wish my parents were still around to enjoy boating some more with me.
Code:
Your narration on that cracked me up!
:lol:
Looks like a sweet ride. Congrats!
Oh, and be sure to get rid of that awful anchor, whatever it is and change whatever I suggest. Dink too, and the motor it rode in on.
What a beautiful morning! I think I’ll take my coffee out to the aft deck and enjoy my new chairs in the peaceful serenity of nature!
https://youtu.be/Gvg5DvyvUsM
Dave, I know ribs are recommended everywhere but in my experience, they are not good to row. I like that option. I have a small tinny (a very old, leaky, Savage "Tern") that is much better to row than my Zodiac. When taking it with me behind Seabiscuit, I half-lift the marlin board, and pull the bow up onto it—that way it can't flip and it's completely stable. o difference in Sb's speed towing the dingy. I also have a 2.5hp Suzuki 4-stroke for when the wind is stronger than my rowing! It won't plane, but it's plenty fast enough for me.
Re. anchors: I have an oversized Super Sarca for Seabiscuit; far better holding than the CQR it came with.
BruceK: my experience completely, and I have a quite expensive Zodiac (with the insert floor, not the rigid bottom) to directly compare. I think being able to row a tender is essential, from a safety point of view.
Another vote for a tin boat. Went to the boatyard yesterday and among other things will be converting the cradle for the new dinghy.
View attachment 94068
Ted
I'm confused. I see all this talk about rowing and I didn't read where he said anything about intending to row it.
Sylphide is proper. Well done young man.
Yes, but at least you're on a BOAT!