Champlain to St Lawrence to Alexandria Bay?

[ECWieder]

Hello All,
Planning our summer excursion and giving serious consideration to heading up the Hudson, across Champlain to the St Lawrence then west to Alexandria Bay. If we make it that far perhaps down Ontario to Oswego and back across the Erie Canal to Waterford.

Any advice on the St Lawrene  and Lake Ontario sections? Has the ice melted up there by late June?  
I've got the cruising guide ordered but any practical advice would be helpful and appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

[gmricketts]

We go there every summer.  The water will be about 65-67 degrees by late june usually.  Go to see Boldt Castle in Alex Bay and the Antique boat museum in Clayton is a must see.

Be sure and have current charts and pay attention to where you are. The Thousand islands is also the 100000 submerged rocks. They put out lots of shoal markers but the locals even still hit one sometimes. Do not move about after dark unless in a well lit channel.

A great place to visit!!!

George

[MacInCT]

I grew up in the 1000 Islands and I am envious of your trip. I hope to take my boat up the Hudson, etc. and into the St. Lawrence some day. Alex Bay is a zoo in the summer time. The best marina is probably still Bonny Castle. I don't know what's on Wellesley Island these days, there used to be some nice places there but it's been a while.

I agree with George that Boldt's Castle and the Antique boat museum in Clayton are "must sees". You should consider taking one of the boat tours - Capt Thompson's used to be the most popular. They include an unlimited stop at the castle and some fun information on the various islands and their history.

I hope that you have a wonderful trip!

All the best,

Nancy

[Hank]

It's a great trip...  it will take you a bit longer  than you might think due to all the locks but well worth it... On your way back look us up... I'm between Lock 7 and 8 on the Erie Canal/Mohawk River. Our Yacht Club is a great spot to fuel up and stay overnight .... Let me know if you need help finding charts on the canal system or anything else......

[Hank]

Here are a couple sites to start with
(url) http://members.aol.com/americacruising/hudson.html (/url)
(url) http://www.nyscanals.gov/index.html (/url)
(url) http://www.lenscove.com/index.asp (/url)
(url) http://www.nycanal.com/(/url)

[ECWieder]

Thanks for all the good advice it sounds like a great trip.

Hank, I saw a red 270 when we went up to Champlain last year, but it was out of the water (Sept.23). We stayed in Ft. Edward on the way home that trip.

[ECWieder]

Actually now that I look closely (and put on the old man reading glasses) Hank, yours doesn't look red.

[Hank]

Yup... mine is definately not RED..... we'll be up on Champlain a couple times this year... let us know when you decide to travel north