Fred is absolutely right. “Hay bales” are no longer allowed by the Erie
Canal authorities. These were merely plastic feed bags stuffed with
straw to prevent damage to the boat from the walls of the locks.
A good substitute for the banned "hay bale" is a large inflatable
plastic play ball in a cloth bag. The balls are available at WalMart or
A&P for less than $5 each but you have to supply your own sack. Surplus
duffle bags or laundry bags from an Army/Navy store make a good
container. These balls are designed to survive children’s playground
abuse so they are nearly indestructible. When you finish your cruise
though the canal, you can give the ball to a kid at dockside or to a
boater going the other direction. Some balls have made 4 or 5 trips
through the canal before expiring.
Larry Z
Fred is absolutely right. “Hay bales” are no longer allowed by the Erie
Canal authorities. These were merely plastic feed bags stuffed with
straw to prevent damage to the boat from the walls of the locks.
A good substitute for the banned "hay bale" is a large inflatable
plastic play ball in a cloth bag. The balls are available at WalMart or
A&P for less than $5 each but you have to supply your own sack. Surplus
duffle bags or laundry bags from an Army/Navy store make a good
container. These balls are designed to survive children’s playground
abuse so they are nearly indestructible. When you finish your cruise
though the canal, you can give the ball to a kid at dockside or to a
boater going the other direction. Some balls have made 4 or 5 trips
through the canal before expiring.
Larry Z
