If you are doing the Welland from Ontario to Erie (up) Roger is the best investment you can make. He keeps track of the ship traffic and will schedule you to avoid delays and cut down the time it takes. He also knows the sweet spot in the locks to avoid turbulence as well as knowing the lock staff. Our last trip through we made it in 3 hours. Going down the turbulence is not bad and you only need two people; however his scheduling and knowledge is worth the price. It believe it was only $150, but no matter the price sign him on. Our blog _www.treadnwater.com_ (http://www.treadnwater.com) on the August pages has more details. Treadnwater In a message dated 10/1/2012 10:26:47 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tallen01@rochester.rr.com writes: Generally every lock has a taut cable attached vertically to the lock walls, vertical ladders, and/or a weighted rope line that hangs down attached at the top. There are several on both sides of the lock walls. Either are easy to hang onto...albeit scummy. Take a pair of heavy duty vinyl dipped rubber gloves with you. I have never been provided a line on the Erie. You need to provide that. Line tending by lock crews is done on the Welland but you have to provide the line in most cases. Most small boaters run a line from the bow ( or midships spring) cleat around the vertical devices and hold UNCLEATED near the stern. Some smaller open boats just use a boat hook. Larger boats have two deck crew to manage bow and stern while the helmsman controls forward/stern motion with the engines. Going down is a breeze but going up can be tricky if they let the water in on the side you select as the current will try to pull you off the wall. Some newer locks have valves in the center that helps. In any case make sure you have sufficent fenders. A couple of ball fenders seems to be the way to go. I do not know how readily you can reach one of these devices from your wheel house position ( which if I recall is a "flying bridge" design with ladder to the main deck) as you maneuver into position, especially if it is a upper deck bridge. Sounds difficult and potentially dangerous as usually some quick action is required once in position to grab the ladder/line/whatever. I would not expect any help from a locktender. They are there to control gates, water level and tend their lawns and flower beds...not to be critical but all lock tenders on the Erie compete for best looking lock landscape. There is a guy who occassionally reads this list named Rodger St. Amand who can contract crew to assist you. The last card I got from him lists his # as (905) 646-8765 and e-mail yachts4u@can.net. It's been awhile since I got a quote from him but I believe it's $250 a day. T ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Marshall" <craighmarshall@yahoo.com> To: <great-loop@lists.trawlering.com> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2012 9:44 AM Subject: GL: Locking Thru the Erie I own a 28ft Hatteras Cruiser and plan on going solo. What issues should I expect locking through? I am planning on taking the lock line(s) at midships and walking back and forth to keep the boat close to wall. Both stb and port decks are wide and clear. Just not sure how much line is given at the locks. Knowing that there are a few locks at Waterford (E2-E7), it can get very labor intensive. Can I get assistance from the LM if need be in locating some local help? Are there any other areas that may require added assistance? Thanks Craig Marshall Lil' Hatt _______________________________________________ http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com _______________________________________________ http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com