My Favorite Stops on the Erie Canal
Let me start by saying that most towns offer something, but there are many towns that embrace the canal for tourism and do an outstanding job. For some towns the canal isn’t next to the canal (within a reasonable walk), maybe in a rough part of town, or separated by a mostly commercial district. So tourism tends to gravitate to the better stops.
IMO, the best stops tend to be West of Oneida Lake. While there are places to stop to the East of the lake, active train tracks next to the canal on the North side can be noisy and those that charge for dockage are higher priced and offer less.
My favorite stops on the canal are Fairport, Pittsford, and Spencerport. They're all good stops with water, electric, pumpout (not at Pittsford), upscale cities / towns with many dining options, and free dockage (not Fairport although very modest).
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Spencerport, although I not sure why.
IMO, it has the best facilities (docks, water, electric, pumpout dock, bathhouse), closest dining, closest grocery store (you can see it from the dock), and it's free.
Others that are also good incude Baldwinsville, Lyons, Newark, Brockport, Medina, and Tonawanda. Some have tired towns with limited dining choices, maybe grocery stores requiring an Uber, or maybe not a pumpout. All of these have reasonable tie up with electric and water.
If time isn't an issue, a side trip to Seneca Lake is nice. Seneca Falls is a nice stop (they think they're Bedford Falls from the movie "It's a wonderful life"). Watkins Glen at the bottom of Seneca Lake is also a nice stop. The state park was a world renowned tourist destination and the town is nice. Reservations at the marina are strongly encouraged.
30 amp shore power is pretty standard. 50 amp 240 volt is available at some towns. I would guess only 20% have 50 amp and many won't have two 30 amp plugs on different phases or possibly close together. Plan accordingly!
Pumpouts East of Oneida Lake are less frequent, more seem to be out of order, and there's usually a fee. So it's good to plan days in advance. West of Oneida Lake, pumpouts are frequent, often free. With rare exception, most pumpouts are self service and some are on separate docks.
Most docking is self service or maybe another boater offers to catch your lines. Most of the canal has little to no current where you need to tie up. Notable exceptions to that are towns with locks up stream such as Pittsford. The canal changes current direction several times over its length, so know which way upstream is. A stout spring line is important (especially at Pittsford). Most of the canal and the locks are rough concrete (what smooth concrete turnes into after 150 years. Big fender balls are good for locking and docking.
A rough wall just before a lock:
The nice dock at Spencerport:
Canal life moves at a slower pace. Sometimes you have to wait for lift bridge and lock operators as they may work more than one. Get over it, and remember your on vacation. Be polite; remember to
REQUEST passage and say Thank You! They control how quickly you transit the canal and they communicate with the other operators.
Ted
