Am asking this question way early because we are currently hauled and winterized, but my wife and I want to cruise our GB 42 from New England up into the Great Lakes.
In 1978 I helped deliver a racing sailboat up thru the Erie Canal to Lake Erie and eventually on up to the Mackinac Races so have some limited experience with locks, but that was long ago.
I understand our GB won't be able to take that canal all the way to Buffalo and that we will need to detour thru Lake Ontario and then up thru the Welland.
Read the Welland guide wherein three (3) persons are required for upbound transit whereas only two (2) for downbound, right?
And read that upbound the third person (minimum) is required so someone can remain on the helm.
Okay. Why? And what can I expect?
Is it because the incoming water pushes the vessel around and you need to counter that with your own power?
Looking for advice on what to expect and how to properly man the helm so as to not screw up.
Will get another couple to join us for that leg so will have the minimum.
Looking for war stories and advice from those who have done this before.
Thank you
In 1978 I helped deliver a racing sailboat up thru the Erie Canal to Lake Erie and eventually on up to the Mackinac Races so have some limited experience with locks, but that was long ago.
I understand our GB won't be able to take that canal all the way to Buffalo and that we will need to detour thru Lake Ontario and then up thru the Welland.
Read the Welland guide wherein three (3) persons are required for upbound transit whereas only two (2) for downbound, right?
And read that upbound the third person (minimum) is required so someone can remain on the helm.
Okay. Why? And what can I expect?
Is it because the incoming water pushes the vessel around and you need to counter that with your own power?
Looking for advice on what to expect and how to properly man the helm so as to not screw up.
Will get another couple to join us for that leg so will have the minimum.
Looking for war stories and advice from those who have done this before.
Thank you