We departed lock E-11 free wall at 6:45 a.m. and tackled our first lock at 7:20 a.m.
Lock E-12-(11’ lift): The first hurdle was a lack of a reply by the dock attendant to our radio
call and then three long soundings of the horn. We tied up to their wall and Glen walked up to the lock, interrupted a casual conversation between a local and the lock attendant and returned to the boat.
The gate promptly opened and we proceeded to lock through. The second hurdle was the high water in the lock. Saunter sat on the water about 3” below the top of the wall, leaving little to no ability to fend off from the sides. Scary situation for sure. If you can’t get a fender between you and a wall, a lot of damage to the boat will occur. We made it through without damage and thankful to the lock attendant for warning us of the situation and to drop our fenders down as much as possible.
Lock E-13-(8’ lift): Lock opened as we approached, and fenders were still down as this lock had the same high water issue (as seen in photos). We locked through without issue.
Lock E-14-(8’ lift): Water level is starting to come down just a bit. Has a great free dock on the lower end (east) at Canajoharie Riverfront Park.
Lock E-15-(8’ lift): GOLD STAR LOCK! This lock attendant loved his job. He was prompt attentive, efficient and friendly. We locked through without issue.
Lock E-16-(20.5’ lift): We locked through without issue.
Lock E-17-(40.5’lift): This is the highest lift on the Erie Canal. This lock is intimidating as you approach and then proceed in the chamber under a guillotine style door. We did have to wait a bit before entering. Allowing the anxiety to build, lol.
Lock E-18-(20’ lift): The lock attendant did a nice job and when I asked him about the free dock following lock 19, he suggested that we stop at Ilion Marina between “his lock" and lock 19. We took his recommendation and stopped in Ilion.
We didn’t go as far as we had hoped, but far enough. After a long day of locks, we found this to be a quaint little marina/RV park right on the canal between locks 18 and 19 as the lock 18 attendant stated. We were happy with his recommendation. We pulled up, signed in, washed the lock sludge from the boat, walked the girls, and then cocktails and dinner top-side. We ordered and picked up from a boat-side (right off our port side) walk-up burger joint.
Guard gates are along the route and lower in emergencies and high water. I definitely wouldn't want to be caught between any of them.
