Esopus Creek (Saugerties) to Waterford



Bristol Red Tug

We raised the anchor and left our cozy anchorage to a very grey sky with showers on the radar, our plan was to move to Albany, Troy or Waterford the start of the Erie Canal. A pleasant ride today with a tide push speed over ground (SOG) 8.9 knots at times generally over 8 knots all the way. Great sights along the way, old light houses, tugs, barges, nice countryside views.

Cool Lighthouse

We did not have good paper charts for the Hudson River so at times we were not sure of our position. All the commentary is listed in statute miles but there are no mile markers on the charts. So as we passed a long dock in Troy, NY we surmised that it was the Troy Dock mentioned in the guide books. When we saw a dam we figured it was the troy lock. We contacted the Troy Lockmaster, he was about to lock a south bound boat and our wait would be about 15 minutes, then another north bound boat called to lock through as well. A strong wind began to blow from the south directly up river and of course that was followed by a bit of rain. It cleared some as the locks were opened, the wind from our stern pushed us around a bit but we were able to secure to the wall. This first lock is fairly new and has pipes in recesses in the lock wall. We wrap a line around the pipe amidships and bring the boat close to the wall; again everything that floats is affected by the wind. After exiting the lock, very quickly we were at the turn for the Erie Canal and docked to the stone wall at the visitor’s center.

 I was a bit concerned since we do not have full registration with the State of Wisconsin and documented boats must display their state sticker. I registered with the State and received a 21 day temporary license; Carol was standing by to run to the DNR in Sturtevant if necessary. We met a very nice lady at the welcome center and printed our temporary State documentation and then off to the lockmaster for permission and purchasing the permit. For a boat 39+ feet long the permit is $20 for two days, $50 for 10 days and $100 for the season. Since we will be leaving the boat in Syracuse for two weeks we needed the season pass. The promised rain began just as we were leaving the lockmasters office. The lockmaster mentioned that the first bridge is 17 feet, a bit unexpected since the advertised height for this end of the canal is 20 feet. We will do some close measuring in the morning.

Albany Capitol Building

There are 14 boats on the wall here this evening many of them “Loopers”, I expect locking through in the morning will be busy. Everyone is undercover since it as begun to rain quite steadily.

Walking through the little town here at Waterford reveals a long history of life on the canal. We needed a few things for locking, throw away gloves and plastic garbage bags to cover the fenders. We found an estate sale shop that had one type of glove and two types of garbage bags. With everything in hand we returned to the boat, cool now and raining, we will shower and settle in for the evening.

River sights