Navigating from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes

I've done it many times. Height will be the limiting factor because if you're over 21' (?? Can't remember exact limiting height) you can't go through the NY State barge canal. The trip through the St. Lawrence is pretty, but much longer! The trip from NYC to Troy (2st lock) should take 1-2 days. The canal system will then take another 2-3 days. After that, you've got the trip from Oswego to the Welland Canal before transitting Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron, and then Michigan.
The NY trip is also very nice.
Sailboats will have the mast stepped at each end.

Probably closer to a week. It's a long way around and the currents are strong.

Many people make modifications to masts on motoryachts so they can hinge them for clearance.

Google NYS Canals. All info is right there

Propbet,
Above the Cape Cod Canal it can get big and lonely. DK what you're running, but did you consider doing the Miss. River?

Several years back I brought an 11kt boat from Lauderdale to Mulgrave, Nova Scotia (Straits of Canso) running 24/7 enroute to Chicago. With a 3 day stop for weather & fuel in New Bedford it was about 2 weeks to Mulgrave. You should also check with the St. Lawrence Seaway regarding the need for a pilot.
I've done Miami to NY (running days only) in as little as 5 days, but also as much as 13 days. Lake Michigan liesurely in 2 weeks sounds a little ambitious.

Now you've got a doable plan. Stay safe & have fun. I made my trip in March . Horror (8 gales, then iced in at Canso). You've got a good time for it.

That height restriction is the same on the Illinois/Chicago Rivers and the ?Willamet? canal

"Time" "Money" / BOAT SAIL??? You might want to double that time frame. The spring breezes are close to fading into the doldrums. Think 2 kts. in 90* heat. You might want to check the Trucking Forum

Welland Canal or West Erie Canal

I'm probably bringing an express with an airdraft of 14'8" from Lk. Erie to NY next week. Some bridges on the West Erie Canal from Tonawanda are listed @ 15' 5" which is doable. Any opinions on how accurate that is and whether it's worth doing over the Welland? Also, any word on any shoaling along the canal?

Great Lakes

Your trip up the St. Lawrence will be 1500 miles longer than going up the Erie Canal System.
You will require a River Pilote going through Quebec to Montreal if you Yacht is over 35 meters, cost is approx. $3500.00.
For the St.Lawrence Seaway from Monteral to Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal you will need a Pilote if you are over 1500 tons (GRT) it use to be 300 tons but was changed last year to 1500 tons.
The Seaway charges $25.00 a lock for tolls from Montreal to the Welland Canal to Lake Erie.
If you require any more information on the Seaway System contact me a will send to you.
I am retired from the Welland Canal and help takes Yachts through the Welland Canal.
Rodger St.Amand

Great Information!

Nycap

Assume you are on your way or perhaps done already.

Just ran a 43 Tiara to Detroit from CT, my second trip "backwards" as I routinely deliver out of the Great Lakes. The choice at Three Rivers on the Erie is one of time for me. Out to Oswego, Lake Ontario and the Welland, will save a day or two of travel on the western Erie, even if you fit under that 15'5" monitored bridge height. The rule in the Erie is 30 to 45mph limits on the river, but 10mph in a man-made canal, with a few exceptions for construction, and the western end is primarily canal. So for a stepped sailboat, the western Erie makes complete sense.

The Welland is a primarily commercial venue. Upbound rec vessels require 3 people aboard due to the high turbulence of the lock filling. Rodger, who posted earlier, is a great for-hire stand-on 3rd crew mate, and his relationships with the canal crew may offer you a pass of a 3 knot freighter on the stretch if the moons line up. If you go the Welland route, make every effort to be the leader of whatever band of pleasurecraft you are associated. That position puts you up at the nose of the lock where the water is the calmest, if there is such a thing with millions of gallons moving as fast as they do. But also be prepared to sit and wait as a string of big traffic moves before you. The canal authority has a great site which you can look at the freighter traffic on a map and anticipate what you are in for. If this is ok to list it is www.greatlakes-seaway.com On their site, go to commercial shipping and look around for the in-transit page.

And finally, if you happen to run into a number of recreational vessels headed your way up or down the Welland, take a moment to pull them aside on the radio and share with them that all of you are quite insignificant to the canal dispatchers, and if one of them whines, all will most certainly pay. Rodger, feel free to add your words of wisdom.

I want to thank all for the advice. Came through today from Buffalo to Brockport. It's long, slow and at times boring, but I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a low key cruising experience. The scenery is breathtaking. I'm reminded of the old Arlo Guthrie song 'City of New Orleans', "rolling on past houses, farms and fields". Quaint old towns, friendly bridge & lock tenders, beautiful old houses and buildings (many showing their age, but still wonderful). I don't think a single person along the walkways that cover most of this leg failed to give us a smile and wave. For an east coast guy whose locking experience consists of Great Bridge & the Shinnicock Canal (3') the locks at Lockport were amazing. Looking forward to the rest of the run although I expect that, by the time I reach Albany, I'll have a real need for speed. Thanks again for the insights guys.