Hi Toot!
Most of the Triangle Loop (Oswego canal, Lake Ontario, Rideau, Montreal, St L to Sorel, Richelieu, Lake Champlain, Chambly canal to Hudson back into the Erie Canal) is in Canada, which remains closed to tourist travel until at least July 21. We cruised the 800-1,000 mile Triangle Loop in 2019, launching at Pirates Cove Marina, Erie mile 158 near Clay, NY. It was a trip of a lifetime! The marina has a ramp (though not level), rig storage, transient slips with power, a small pool and local flavor bar and grill. Call owners Paul or Patti White, 315 695 3901. We launched and parked the rig there 3 days ago, to cruise the Western Erie canal and Finger Lakes over 4-6 weeks one-way (Amtrak back from Buffalo to Syracuse and Lyft back to Pirates Cove marina).
The eastern Erie canal has no real challenges except lots of small locks, and the only big water (which Eileen defines as ‘when I can’t see any land anywhere’) is Lake Oneida. We had to wait out one day for it to calm down. The river is often lined by summer homes (‘cottages’). It’s under 160 miles from from Waterford to Pirates Cove, which is the nearest marina to Three Rivers Junction, where you can head north on the Oswego canal to cross Lake Ontario. You could then explore the US side of the Thousand Islands. Designate every third day as an ‘option’ or weather day. A schedule is the most dangerous thing on the boat.
When you do cruise the Triangle loop, get your air draft down to eight feet so you can enter the Lachine Canal through Montreal. The only other option is the Seaway locks, where giant ships have priority. We had to remove the radar dome (4 bolts and 2 cables). The rapids around Montreal are not navigable. Because the St Lawrence river has a significant current, Loopers do it clockwise.
NY and Vermont state law requires physically removing the sewage plumbing between your overboard blackwater discharge (if you have one) and the macerator pump in all of Lake Champlain and the Chambly canal system. You’ll likely need a hair dryer/heat to remove it, and you’ll need a new hose to replace it.
Bottom line, if you have 3-4 weeks, we’d advise starting at Pirate’s cove and doing the western Erie Canal rather than eastern. If you choose to also go north and cross Lake Ontario twice, give yourselves 2-3 weather days for each crossing. I wouldn’t count on Canada opening up on the 21st.
Best of luck, and hope this is helpful.
John and Eileen Highsmith
C-Dory TomCat 255 ‘Cat O’ Mine’
AGLCA Life Members
