Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The Flotilla

When I last wrote, our boat was stuck at Lock 24 in Baldwinsville, NY. There were several boats in this predicament. Luckily, there is a lot to do in B'ville (as the locals call it) and we are local so we could just drive home.

I think the date was 6/30/15. The lock master let me know that the flotilla would come to take the boats east. There were boats stranded at lock 23 so some sort of trade was worked out. The lock master told me to be there at 7:30.

We arrive at 7:30, coffee in hand. We walk to our boat expecting to see a group meeting and people readying their boats. Instead we see people hosing off their boats, eating breakfast, sitting around. We go to our boat and get it ready for the short journey ahead (1 mile down the river).

After about 5 minutes, we have everything set. I've brought new "for sale" signs to put on the boat. That would have been so helpful to have a couple of days before as it sat at the wall in full public view. We decide to talk to the other boaters to see if anyone knows anything.

There is a great sail boat parked next to us. They came from Vermont or might be going to Vermont. There was mention about going to pick up their new boat. The couple look to be in their 60's, retired. The boat looks like its about 40 feet, mast down as there are restrictions going through the canal system. The guy had a great boater joke. He says, "I talk to my boat every day and it talks back to me. But ever since we came through the canal it doesn't have anything to say to me. It used to have a 60 foot erection but now it has nothing."

Next to them is a 28' Carver. I'm looking at it and I comment about how it looks much larger than ours even though its the same size. The beam (width) on it is 12'. Much wider than our 9'. Another couple in their 60's, retired. They live in Florida and come here for the summer. They stay on their boat for months. That is impressive- 2 people on a 28' boat for months at a time. They mention that they were staying at the Cold Springs Marina and we realize that we were there at the same time. We actually went on their boat to look at their composting toilet as we were considering that option for ours. They made many improvements to their boat- bow thrusters, fancy lighting, mosquito screens in their canvas, wine maker.  They were going to sell it but decided not to as they put in so much work on the boat. They are headed out to the Buffalo area to play.

There was a really cute sail boat next. They didn't have their mast with them. They bought the boat for cheap because there wasn't a mast or the mast was broken and in another place. This is common with sail boats- the boat and the mast being in different places. People will sail around and then when they reach an area where the sail has to come down, they either store it somewhere or balance it on top of their boat while they complete their journey. When they are ready to have the sail reattached, the storage place will ship it to their current location. Or, they can go to their mast and have it reattached there. This was a small sail boat, maybe less than 28'. A couple in the 60's again, just out traveling. They realized that the propane tank for the boat has an old style that isn't in use anymore so they can't have it refilled. They were on their last cup of coffee so they are very relieved to be proceeding on in their journey.

Next was one of my favorite boats. We didn't get that far to talk to the owner and he seemed a little standoffish anyways. Usually people will wave, say hello, or at least acknowledge someone passing by but this guy did nothing. His boat was beautiful. I did take pictures of it. Its a Sundancer- the brand we are looking for. I believe it is a 53'.

Lots of seating room on the deck, a jetski on the swim deck, and I'm sure below deck is absolutely gorgeous.

In all this time, we find out that no one really knows what is going on with this escort. We see a small fishing boat pull up to the lock and 3 guys get out. There is a little meeting as they discuss something. Everyone breaks off from their conversations and decides that this little boat is the flotilla (although it is sounding to me like they are saying flotella). Everyone brings in their lines, starts their boats, and starts to pull away from the dock. There is an order to things- this must have been established before we arrived. It really could have been any boat, these people would have followed anything motorized just to move on. you can see the little gray boat in the lead just past the bridge.

Here's my favorite boat...


 Here is the beginning of the line just moving out of the lock area.


Here is our cute little boat joining the parade of boats.


Our boat is now sitting safely at a private dock. When we first arrived, the water level was very high but now, a week later, it is much better. I'm not sure if there are any restrictions on the river but we have not moved it from that spot. 

Things I learned from this experience:
1- always check for travel restrictions and conditions on the water
2- if you are selling your boat and you have to leave it in a public place, make sure their are for sale signs on it when you park it, not when you are driving away
3- get out and talk to people, hang around the other boaters, you can learn so much
4- stay over night on your boat at least once when its parked in a public place- great to see the activity
5- maybe we are a bit young yet or our boat is too small but we need to spend more time out on the water
6- boat clubs- in Florida, they have boat clubs where you pay a yearly fee and can rent out boats for several days at the price of gas. A great way to try out different boats before you buy.





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