Fastest Route From North Channel To Hudson

[Blowfish]

I'm in the North Channel and am looking for insight regarding the fastest route from here to the Hudson River. We are in a 36 foot sailboat that draws 4.5 feet. Our top motor speed is 6 kts.

We were considering the trent severn and then across ontario to oswego. However, some folks we have talked to say that crossing lake ontario with the stick on the deck can be hazardous and unpleasant, so we are now leaning towards Lake Huron to Lake Erie and taking down the mast for the erie canal. Any insight on routes, as well as suggested locations for taking down the mast are much appreciated.
Thanks!

[sailortjk1]

You might want to check your draft on the Trent.
I believe that route is mostly reserved for power boats with minimal draft.
I could be wrong, but I would make some phone calls on that.

But as far as your question, "Fastest Route", from where your starting, that has to be it.
Its a long way down Huron and across Erie.

EDIT: This might be a helpful tool to have on board, at 12 bucks it would be fun to have anyway.
Trent-Severn Waterway Guide

Home > Books & Guides > Cruising Guides > Canada > Trent-Severn Waterway Guide Edit: More info can be found here.. Trentsevern.com is your single source for information on the Trent-Severn Waterway System

[bubb2]

When you ask about the fastest route, remember You can only motor in the canal during these times. The speed limit is 5mph. Depth in Erie is 12 feet and subject to change, hight restrictions are 21 feet.

2009 Notices to Mariners

To avoid any unnecessary inconvenience or delays, mariners seeking passage through a Canal Corporation lock are advised to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled closing time. More information....

The hours of operation for the 2009 Navigation Season are as follows:
May 1 to May 21	7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 22 to September 9	7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
September 10 to November 15	7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please note: The dates of operation and hours are dependent upon weather.

Q & A

New York State Canals: Faq

[ebs001]

The nominal draft in the Trent is 5ft. The distance across Lake Ontario from Adulphos Reach to Oswego is 41NM. It's a matter of picking your day to cross Lake Ontario. We crossed from Cape Vincent, NY, to Oswego without a breath of wind. Lake Erie can be very uncomfortable stick or no stick and as sailorjk points out it's a long way. The Trent canal is more boater friendly than the Erie and has some very interesting locks - the marine railway at Big Chute and the lift locks at Kirkland and Peterborough. I found the Erie canal just tedious. I recommend you remove your instuments from the top of the mast as they are very suseptible do damage when transiting the canal. I take it you are heading south. What is your ultimate destination?

[Blowfish]

Thanks everyone! With 4.5 feet I should be okay through the trent severn, and the water is higher this year than the past. I was mostly concerned about crossing ontario with the stick on deck.....If the lake erie route was only slghtly longer I might have gone that way. However, from everyone's opinions it seems that going through trent severn is faster, and just wait for the right day on lake ontario.

Our ultimate distnation is the Chesapeake, which we hope to reach by mid to late July.
Thanks again!