The Adventures of Sylphide

Well ladies and germs, it's officially official. I'm the proud new owner of Sylphide. The sale process was a long drawn out emotional roller coaster. At a couple of points I was pretty overwhelmed, and starting to second guess myself. Now that the dust has settled, though, I'm sooooo glad I went to the trouble.

It's only been a few days aboard now, so I'm still in the honeymoon phase I'm sure. So far though, I'm really loving living aboard this boat. It's tiny compared to my house, but there has been more than enough room for my folks and I to live aboard quite comfortably for the last six days. Nobody's stepping on anyone's toes, and the only thing that I haven't been able to find a good place for so far is the swiffer.

So far the only thing I can find that doesn't work is the hot water in the shower. There's hot water everywhere else, but not there. I know it's plumbed for it, so I'm thinking there's an issue with the tap or mixing valve. No worries, so far It's been easy to find a good clean shower, so I don't stink yet.

So far this trip, we've made it across Lake Ontario from Toronto, transited the Welland Canal, and are now in Tonawanda, getting ready to transit the Erie Canal. I'm really excited for this part of the trip. I've never seen this part of the canal before. I wish I had more time to shilly shally, but the goal is to get to Coeymans Landing in the next ten or so days. Should be plenty of time, but I want to stay a little ahead of 'schedule.' I'm happy to leave myself some undiscovered country for the next trip anyway.

One thing I've noticed about living on this boat, is that it attracts a lot of attention. I've had no shortage of people coming up to talk to me, which for the most part has been very pleasant. This must be what it's like to own a Lamborghini.

We'll be getting off to a bit of a late start this morning, which has been nice after all the hustle and bustle. I'll be throwing some fuel into the belly of the beast this morning, and it's eastward we go.

Pics, cuz it's totally happening:

Looks great, congrats on your new ride!

Dude, so happy for you!

What tha heck is shilly shally? [emoji15]

Congratulations and enjoy the trip! I did the eastern half of the Erie Canal and the Oswego Canal this summer when I brought the boat up from Long Island Sound to Lake Ontario and it's a very pleasant cruise. I'm thinking of doing the western half of the Erie next summer as I've never done it. Just have to decide whether to do it as an out and back (through Oswego) or to come back through the Welland Canal.

I didn't stop at Coeymans Landing on my way up the Hudson, but it looked like a nice place. Just gotta watch out for that mostly submerged breakwater in front of it

cardude01 said:

Dude, so happy for you!

What tha heck is shilly shally? [emoji15]

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Wifey B: Similar to dilly dally.

So happy for you Wayfarer. You did it all the right way and found your perfect boat and now here you are.

Congratulations Dave. I’m excited for you. Sure looks like everyone is enjoying themselves.

So happy for you, Dave! You had a plan, did your research, and it all came together for you. It has been fun watching you go through the process. Seems like all closings get a little overwhelming near the end. You'll get the hot water in the shower all figured out. Keep us posted on your progress.

John

Are you going to be based at Coeymans?

You seem to be upside down with joy.

Congrats and may the voyage be drama free!!

Congratulations on a beautiful boat.....I especially like the Howitzer mounted on the pilothouse roof![emoji16]

Cool boat! Congrats. Have you tried removing the shower head and then checking for hot water?

Dave, a very nice boat, indeed. Good eye!

I think the howitzer on the roof could come in handy. I’ve seen times when I could have used one several times a day.

Congrats. It is great when a plan comes together. Even without a HIN...

Congrats, sweet looking boat.

Woo hoo!!!

Congratulations!! She's a real looker!

Sailor of Fortune said:

Looks great, congrats on your new ride!

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Thanks Jacksteve!

cardude01 said:

Dude, so happy for you!

What tha heck is shilly shally? [emoji15]

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Thankee sir! BandB got it, it's a Britishism for dawdling. Best read with your most offensively cartoonish and over the top posh British accent.

rslifkin said:

Congratulations and enjoy the trip! I did the eastern half of the Erie Canal and the Oswego Canal this summer when I brought the boat up from Long Island Sound to Lake Ontario and it's a very pleasant cruise. I'm thinking of doing the western half of the Erie next summer as I've never done it. Just have to decide whether to do it as an out and back (through Oswego) or to come back through the Welland Canal.

I didn't stop at Coeymans Landing on my way up the Hudson, but it looked like a nice place. Just gotta watch out for that mostly submerged breakwater in front of it

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Yeah that breakwater looks like a real trap to anyone who hasn't seen a chart.
The Welland is a bit of a chore. In case you haven't done it before, it's an all day event. Ours went pretty smoothly, and it still took damn near 12 hours without any delays. From what I'm told, long delays are common. Also, once you start the transit, you're not allowed to stop. I'm glad to have done it once, but it's not something I'd do again on it's own.

BandB said:

Wifey B: Similar to dilly dally.

So happy for you Wayfarer. You did it all the right way and found your perfect boat and now here you are.

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Thank you! She sure does fit the bill nicely. I got lucky!

dhays said:

Congratulations Dave. I’m excited for you. Sure looks like everyone is enjoying themselves.

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We're having a blast. My folks and I grew up boating, and they've been such excellent shipmates. We're loving it.

MV Wanderlust said:

So happy for you, Dave! You had a plan, did your research, and it all came together for you. It has been fun watching you go through the process. Seems like all closings get a little overwhelming near the end. You'll get the hot water in the shower all figured out. Keep us posted on your progress.

John

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Thanks John! You can count on updates

Sailor of Fortune said:

Are you going to be based at Coeymans?

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Just for a month or so, while I head back to the big boat. I think I'm going to have her hauled while I'm away. I need to change the zincs out for some aluminum jobs, anyway. After I get back to her in November, it's on to the next leg south. I'm hoping to get down to the Chesapeake before my December work hitch.

Action said:

You seem to be upside down with joy.

Congrats and may the voyage be drama free!!

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Thank you! In all my years of posting here, I think this is my first upside down incident. I feel like part of the club now!

greysailor said:

Congratulations on a beautiful boat.....I especially like the Howitzer mounted on the pilothouse roof![emoji16]

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Hahahaha, I wish I could say I'd seen that on my own, but I didn't.

Mikala said:

Cool boat! Congrats. Have you tried removing the shower head and then checking for hot water?

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I haven't had the chance to tinker with any of it yet, but I'll add that to my troubleshooting routine. I figure it's probably a kinked hose, or some issue with the tap/mixing valve. I don't really like the one that's there, so I'll probably take the opportunity to change it out if I can.

Moonstruck said:

Dave, a very nice boat, indeed. Good eye!

I think the howitzer on the roof could come in handy. I’ve seen times when I could have used one several times a day.

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Thanks Don! That sure would come in handy, wouldn't it?

Comodave said:

Congrats. It is great when a plan comes together. Even without a HIN...

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When I do finally get that HIN, I think I might mount it in 45" vinyl letters down each side of the hull. Just so everyone can see it, lol. HERE! HERE'S YOUR DAMN NUMBER!

LaBomba said:

Congrats, sweet looking boat.

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Moonfish said:

Woo hoo!!!

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boathealer said:

Congratulations!! She's a real looker!

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Thanks guys!

Dave
Looks great!
Glad it all worked out.
You do need to get a TF burgee on your to do list but shower might be ahead of that.
Enjoy the ride.

Dave
The boat looks great. She’ll be turning heads everywhere. When you make it this far South you gotta stop by. Congratulations

Bacchus said:

Dave
Looks great!
Glad it all worked out.
You do need to get a TF burgee on your to do list but shower might be ahead of that.
Enjoy the ride.

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Actually I think the flag setup will come first. I still haven’t struck the Canadian colors yet! When I tried to take the fiberglass staff down to change out the flags, it was so splintered that I decided I’d rather just replace it with a teak one, and stuck it back in for now.

I’m pretty sure people have been nicer to me with the Canadian flag up, anyway, lol.

So I’ve got a nice new pole, a bigger flag, and some halyard line for the burgee at home in my mailbox waiting for me. There will be pictures!

Pack Mule said:

Dave
The boat looks great. She’ll be turning heads everywhere. When you make it this far South you gotta stop by. Congratulations

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Thanks Marty, just try and stop me! Lol

Dave, Congratulations on the boat!

Did the full length of the Erie Canal in 2017. Probably more fun going down hill through all the locks. IMO, the better part of the Erie canal for sightseeing and town stops is West of Oneida Lake. You will travel through farm lands where the canal is elevated slightly above the fields, absolutely beautiful scenery.

Winter Harbor marina in Brewerton (1.5 miles before Oneida Lake on the north side of the waterway), is where you want to buy all the fuel you can hold. Generally the best price in NY state.

East of Oneida Lake, stops get a little more challenging as far as reprovisioning. Plan ahead. If you have any questions about stops on the canal, I probably won't know the answer, but that won't keep me from responding.

Ted

Congratulations!!!

Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not. -James Taylor


We are soooo happy for you, Dave!

Your delight is contagious!

Cheers,

Pea & Dan Trombley

Where did the boat name come from? What does it mean, if this has been asked before I didn’t see the answer.

Just a guess from me,

La Sylphide is a romantic ballet in two acts. There were two versions of the ballet; the original choreographed by Filippo Taglioni in 1832, and a second version choreographed by August Bournonville in 1836. Bournonville's is the only version known to have survived and is one of the world's oldest surviving ballets.
Nice name for a boat

Cliff Meima said:

Just a guess from me,

La Sylphide is a romantic ballet in two acts. There were two versions of the ballet; the original choreographed by Filippo Taglioni in 1832, and a second version choreographed by August Bournonville in 1836. Bournonville's is the only version known to have survived and is one of the world's oldest surviving ballets.
Nice name for a boat

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And....I learnt somthin' new today!

We did the Welland as well. Long day, but tolerable. They have now set recreational up for certain days only and you better be there when they open for the day. You're right versus the Erie. On the Erie you have some serious flights of canals but you can do a few and then just say "That's enough locks for the day." No saying that on the Welland.

We have an acquaintance who pilots there. All the St. Lawrence is a challenge with US and Canada involved and the heavy commercial traffic and their priority.

Dave
If you stop in Spencerport dont miss the Texas BBQ joint... it is worth a stop if you like BBQ.
Newark is another great stop. Fairport nice but Newark is quieter, great facilities and all free... power, showers, laundry, and some decent restaurants in town.
From there a long day to Baldwinsville doable and another good stop but sure you have been there.

Spencerport is a good stop with nice facilities at the free dock.

If you like Texas Barbecue, don't stop. You won't leave. The Brisket is to die for! Only mistake I made was not buying some to take with me.

Ted

Dave, that is one sweet water ride. Good luck with her.