August 24 - 27, 2009 – Oswego to Little Falls

The trip across the lake was uneventful. As there was not much wind we motored around False Duck Island and across the shipping channel with the main up and the boat pointed at Oswego, NY. The CSL freighter, Frontenac, crossed our path on its way to Windsor. We had hailed it the day before to verify if the AIS was transmitting our position and were told that they were not picking up our signal. The Wolfe Island Ferry also confirmed that they could not locate us. More work needed on the AIS. As we approached Oswego a sailboat reported a water spout near Fair Haven to the west of us. We watched the horizon for a while but saw nothing.

We arrived in Oswego early afternoon and proceeded to clear our entry with US Customs and Border Patrol. The videophone connection was not very good and we had a loud diesel truck running a few feet away so we had to repeat everything at least twice. We eventually got ourselves checked in and were in the process of arranging for a US cruising license when the line was disconnected. When I tried to call back there was no answer. While we waited to get through we made arrangements for overnight docking and for Bernie at Oswego Marine to take down the mast in the morning. After several more unsuccessful attempts with the videophone I finally got through and our cruising license was faxed to the office at Oswego Marine.

Tom started preparations for securing the mast on the side deck of Polar Pacer. He had expected to be able to set the mast down on saw horses to remove the spreaders but the gin pole does not rotate so he had to modify his plans. There is a good collection of materials that other boaters have left behind that you are welcome to use so there is no need to bring much with you. Tom was able to find a pre fabricated cradle that fit our mast perfectly. There is also a lumber yard close by for anything else you need. Bernie and his crew were very patient and professional. Within an hour from the time they arrived the mast was down and secured and we were good to go.

Lock Number 8 is the first lock on the Oswego River. We purchased two 2-day canal passes from the lockmaster once we were in the lock and the water level was raised. Two day passes for boats our size are $15.00 each and a ten day pass is $37.50. The second pass is not dated in case we decide to stop for a day or two along the way. There are seven locks on the Oswego River which ends just past Lock Number 1 (There is no Lock Number 4).

Locking up the river was mostly straight forward. For starters there were no other boats in the locks beside us and we only had to be concerned with holding ourselves in place on the wall. In most of the locks there are ropes hanging down the sides that you hang on to in order to keep the boat in place as the water level is raised. One had only cables that you put your own lines around to hold you. The sides of the locks are pretty rough and covered in slime. Work gloves and boat hooks are a must. Tom made a fender board to keep between the fenders and the wall to protect them. The ropes were recessed in slots in the wood so there would not be worn through by the sides of the locks. One lock had quite a bit of turbulence as the lock filled and Tom had to rescue the front end of the boat as I did not have enough strength to hold it. In Lock Number 1 there were large mats of weeds that fouled the propeller and we lost steerage going in to the lock. Tom was able to raise the drive leg and use the boat hook to clear it before we ended up sideways in the lock.

The scenery along the river varies from thickly wooded areas to shallow marshes and summer fishing shacks to large estates. The channels are very well marked but you need to remember to keep the green marks on the right and the red marks on the left. This can be confusing if you are trying to follow the ‘red right returning’ rule. Many of the locks are located near towns where you can buy supplies (like this pickle in a bag)and most have free docks you can tie up for the night. The level of services available varies. We spent our first night in Phoenix, NY where Lock Number 1 is located.

After leaving Phoenix we travelled with Knot-A-Lot, a sailboat from Michigan. When we came to the place where the Oswego, Seneca and Oneida Rivers meet up, we took the Oneida River on our left. At Lock Number 23 the lock master warned us about crossing Lake Oneida as there were thunderstorms in the forecast. When we got to the lake it was starting to rain but there was no wind or waves. Lake Oneida is very shallow and can get very high waves when the wind is strong. It was still raining when we went through the next two locks. We wore our new Dubarry’s and they were wonderful. No wet feet or shoes! Thanks again to Tim and Debbie. We stopped for the night at the wall just past Lock Number 21. There are no services there and it is soooooo quiet. It cooled-off enough during the night that we had to pull out an extra blanket. Summer is definitely on its way out.

With the sun back out in the morning and the mist rising off the canal we continued heading east.

Traffic on the canal was heavier than previous days with a few pleasure boats and several canal maintenance vessels. The banks of the canal are lined with large old growth trees and lots of deadfall. It’s important to keep a lookout for submerged branches and logs.

Little Falls was the stop for the night. The New York Canal System has built a very nice facility here for boaters to stop over. There are showers, shore power, wi-fi, and pump out services. Groceries, drug store, Laundromat and post office are within walking distance.