Before you enter the lock!
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Depending on the size of your boat you may want crewmembers on both the bow and stern to hold the boat against the lock wall (recommended for boats over 22'). |
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Have your boats fenders out at least on the lock wall side - we do both sides in case we are instructed to move to the opposite lock wall. |
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You should have a pair or two of work gloves (we use rubberized ones) to handle the lock lines. |
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You should use boat hooks if you have them; they are invaluable for grabbing the lock lines. |
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Usually you stay on the right, but you can be directed to alter your position by the lockmaster; pay attention! |
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Have your seasonal lock permit in plain view for the lockmaster, or be prepared to purchase a lock pass. |
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Never tie off your boat to the lock ropes! Just hang on and let the boat ride up or down the lock ropes. |
Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A
The CS2 locks start to open as we wait
- after it is safe to proceed the light will turn green. Then
crewmember Robin heads to the bow with a boathook to help me keep the
Kopasetic along the starboard wall of the lock. I use our
second boat hook to snag the stern lock rope and don my rubberized
gloves to grip the rope.
Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A
Here's a shot off the transom that
shows the lock before and after it fills up. (Remember to never tie
off your boat to a lock rope - it could damage a cleat or in the worst
case capsize your vessel!) Locks CS2 & CS3 raise your
boat 24.5 feet each, so you have risen almost 50 feet when you enter
Van Cleef Lake!
Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A
These are great locks to practice
"locking through", because they are a double-lock. CS2 opens up and
you head directly into CS3 to await another lift to Van Cleef
Lake in Seneca Falls. The picture on the left is taken from the
left side of CS2 looking at the CS3 gate going west, and the picture
on the right is taken from the right side of CS3 after the lock door
opens from entry into Van Cleef Lake in Seneca Falls. The large
"gate" above is called a guard gate, and is used primarily
when the lock attendants need to work on the lock doors or interior.
Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
In this picture we've crossed Van Cleef
Lake (about 1/4 mile) and are approaching the famous Trinity Church
pictured in several Finger Lakes guides. When we were practicing
our lock throughs, we would eat lunch on Van Cleef just off the church
peninsula - a great view from a peaceful little lake.
Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
And here is the view as you pass the
Trinity Church. You are now only a minute from the Seneca Falls
terminal wall for canal boaters.
Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
The Ovid Street Bridge (S-6) in Seneca
Falls is just past the Trinity Church, and as you round the bend under
the bridge you'll see the town terminal wall for boaters. If you need
to use their pump-out facilities, they are at the beginning of the
wall just past the bridge. Welcome to...
Now we are past the bridge and have turned around for a view of the
Seneca Falls Canal Harbor. There is usually plenty of room
for transient boaters, and you can use one of the eight power and
water stations for free up to 48 hours. There are also two sections of
floating dock without power and water. Use the links below to
explore the town! | |
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Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
We've left Seneca Falls behind and are
passing under bridge S-7 with a transom shot of the town behind.
Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
Just ahead off our starboard is the new
Seneca Falls
Community Center. During our trip the building was still under
construction, but is now open to the public. (As of this writing we
are uncertain if boats are allowed to dock here.)
Cruising Guide Map: CS-10
Here is another picture as we pass by
the community center on our way west out of Seneca Falls.