Welland Canal
Also look in the 'Great Loop restriction' and 'USA & Canada Border reporting' for more detail info.
The Welland Canal 2021 season is May 1 - November 1 for pleasure craft.
The Canal connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is only 27 miles but will take a whole day to travel. Eight locks, one that is at the Erie end and the others are more towards the Ontario lake side. Three locks are end to end, where you go right into each as you exit. The water gets very rough when filling.
Locks that you are in are 80ft x 766ft.
Usually takes about 45 minutes per lock, to cycle thru. Yet will take you just about all day to travel the whole canal.
Lock staff send a rope line down to you to hold you in place. Same staff is with you on your journey. They meet up with you in their pickup truck.
Payment for the canal is made only by using the Secunik app. $25 per lock / $200 for all eight.
Again it must all be paid in advance, no cash.
https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/pleasure-craft/#Tolls
Communication in the canal is channel 14
Welland Pleasure Craft Schedule -
Upbound transits from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.
Monday / Wednesday / Friday / Sunday.
You must be in position in Port Weller, at the small boat dock by 9am, with your Secunik payment.
If you miss the opening, you will have to wait two days for the next schedule day.
Downbound transits from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday.
You must be in position at the Port Colburne small boat dock by 7am with your Secunik payment. Again if you miss the opening, you are stuck for two days.
Again starting time differences -
9am for going to Lake Erie.
7am for going to Lake Ontario.
Any issues call (289) 690-4344
You also need a crew of three to go from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. Yet you only need a crew of two, to go the opposite way The reason is the waters filling the lock chambers get very turbulent. Even I was surprised on how it pulled the boat around. It does strain the lines and your arms, and I'm a pretty big guy.
*If you need a third crew, please contact me as I have done this route and happy to help for free. If I can't make it I probably have a local that can.
There are no stops really along the canal. It is mostly fenced in too. You can kind of squeak past that in Thorold.
Lock 7 Viewing Centre if you are on the streets. Stop here and get a pic of the kissing rock.
(905) 680-9477
http://www.thoroldtourism.com/
Couple of links to help
Welland info -
https://www.offshoreblue.com/cruise/welland-canal.php
https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/
Pirates-Chest.com
Our location and how to contact us...
On the Erie Canal
Gasport, NY
Call or text: email for phone number
*best way to catch me...
Email:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pirates.chest
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014350205814
*worst way to find me. Still don't know how to tweet...
Twitter: twitter.com/PiratesChest1
*
*Watch
your wake!!!
Slow Please!
10mph
and less in some places.
The western Erie Canal does have speed limits.
The Canal Corp staff at the locks and the lift bridges, actually keep track of your times passing thru. They contact the staff at your next stop, to let them know traffic is coming and to expect your arrival time. Some staff even operate two separate lift bridges.
Slow down.
Also bank erosion.
Even though the banks of the canal is covered in large rocks, your wake is undermining it.
This is why we have these ''Guard Gates'' that you pass under every few miles. If the canals embankment has a blowout, these drop to prevent mass water exiting. It has happened.
Watch your wake.
*Please put contact info on your outdoor gear like kayaks; canoe; dingy; life jackets / preservers; throw rings; bumpers / fenders. Anything that can come off your boat.
The reason is, say if your kayak slipped off without you knowing and is found out by itself. Now local fire depts and the Coast Guard will be out looking for a potential water rescue victim(s).
These rescue teams can contact you without doing a massive search for a non-existing emergency.
We all want to find those in need of help, but wayward items just puts undue stress on resources.
Thank you.
Hungry??
If you are out on the Great Lakes or other waterways around them and looking to eat.
'Dock and Dine' lists eateries that you can easily access by boat. In most cases you can dock right there or it is a very short walk.
Check them out or send them a link to your favorite place for them to list.
https://www.dockanddineloop.com/
Hey, do you live on the Erie Canal or close by and want to be a local host?
Hosts help people on the canal like the walkers; cyclists; kayakers; boaters and others. All these groups are so different, yet use the same space here on the canal. Local people that live on the canal, see all the people and some want to help.
Mixed in the listing on the webpages here will be a few Erie Canal Hosts. They might have a private dock; a place to pitch a tent or RV spot; a parking spot for your car or trailer for an extended stay; a local onsite person to help with issues or as a guide.
Does that sound like something you want to assist with? Send me a message and I will try to explain the details better.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYSCanalwayWaterTrail/permalink/1015667725630626/
Do you need your boats AC unit serviced?
Located in Tonawanda NY, western end of the Erie Canal. Call Tim (716) 831-0333
Fellow big boat owner and good guy.
Need a Ford Bronco rental in Buffalo NY?
Here is an Airbnb for your stay..
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34679306?source_impression_id=p3_1659269464_Ss1rTD4ZUZcagkM1
How about do you need a campsite on the western Erie Canal?
You are in luck...
https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/new-york/tomtuga-on-the-erie-canal/on-the-erie-canal-gvt-railroad
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