9 Days | Lake Ontario • Oswego Canal • Erie Canal • Hudson River
From the bustling skyline of Toronto to the quiet charm of the Hudson Valley, this leg is a masterclass in inland and coastal navigation—and a feast for the senses.
🌅 What the Crew Will Experience
Days 1–2: Lake Ontario Overnight Sail
You’ll depart Toronto at midday, setting course across Lake Ontario on a star-lit passage. Experience night sailing, helm rotation, navigation by lights, and the hush of open water. Watch the skyline disappear, feel the boat settle into rhythm, and prepare to make landfall at Oswego, NY with sunrise on the horizon.
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Days 3–4: Oswego Canal – Lock Navigation Begins
The adventure shifts as we enter the Oswego Canal. This inland waterway features 7 locks and peaceful, tree-lined channels. Crew will take on the challenge of unstopping the mast, line handling, radio coordination, and lock operations as we ascend toward Oneida Lake.
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Days 5–6: Oneida Lake & Erie Canal
We cross Oneida Lake, the largest body of water in the NY Canal System. Calm weather offers perfect photo ops and navigation practice. Re-entering the canal, we begin the Erie section, with low bridges, sleepy marinas, and a ribbon of history under our keel.
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Days 7–9: Mohawk Valley to Hudson River
Our final days bring more locks, gentle currents, and a sense of accomplishment. We pass through the Mohawk Valley, descend through the Flight of Five locks, and reach Waterford, where the Erie Canal meets the Hudson River.
The final leg follows the winding, wide waters of the Hudson River southbound—past Albany’s old port and into the artistic and historic town of Hudson, NY.
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🔧 Crew Skills Gained
When considering chartering a yacht in Canada, we know you have many options. Some of these options look super exciting and at ridiculously great prices. Recent trends in the industry have opened the door for many unqualified individuals to purchase boats and offer charter services to the unsuspecting public. It’s easy to create a website and even easier to just list a boat on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Getmyboat, Boat Setter and many others.
Unfortunately, many of these operators are NOT licensed, insured or qualified to accept your trust on the water.
In order to be licensed and insured a number of items MUST be in place. Listed are just a few.
Over the last few years there have been a number of deaths and even more accidents resulting from these types of operators. Be safe and know who you are getting on a boat with. All licensed operators should willingly display their credentials, and most are members of the Passenger & Commercial Vessel Association (PCVA).
