I agree with everything "Great Loupe" said, except for the hay bale fenders, which are prohibited on the NY Canals. They fall off and immediately clog up the lock valves. Don't do that! Fred Tug 44 ---------------------------------------- From: "Great Loupe" <greteloupe@lowekey.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 11:38 AM To: "great-loop@lists.trawlering.com" <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> Subject: Re: GL: Locking Thru the Erie x--- snip ---x You may need to fill that curve of the bow with fenders about the aft third of the curve. About 3 fenders, then about every 3 feet on down the side of the boat. If you need more fenders, buy some plastic feed bags filled with hay. They don't look great and can grow if you spend the summer but they work. Use maybe 4 fenders on the off side. With your boat handling, try to be at the front of the lock, so you are not subject to the surge as the locks fills at the back of the lock. You will learn where it is best as you watch the locks fill and drain. Some locks will be boats wall to wall, while others may be just you. Also consider your prop. If the prop is left hand, rigg for Starboard. Sailboats more likely have right hand props so they will favor the Port. x--- snip ---x

Very Sorry Fred and All. Thanks for the correction. Have been down south maybe too long. This "farm kid" had duck taped the "poly" bags to take some of the chafe and used some fishing knots to secure the lines. Made the seven hay bags last the whole season. Had put trash bags over the good fenders and duct taped them too, so they were clean when we came off the Canal. This was when the walls were "rough." All this Canal talk has me missing the quite of the Canal. My 6th grandfather was the first supervisor up around Little Falls. May get the log out and consider a trip north.... GL ps... I just hate "feeding the lake with anything." The worst was my favorite sun glasses at Moorehead City. Never did find a replacement.... At 11:45 AM Tuesday 10/2/2012, you wrote: >I agree with everything "Great Loupe" said, except for the hay bale >fenders, which are prohibited on the NY Canals. They fall off and >immediately clog up the lock valves. Don't do that! > >Fred >Tug 44