We left for the Champlain Canal alone this morning. The other boats elected to sleep in. Our whisker pole on the bow scrapped along the bottom as we started under.
We couldn't stop in time and we caught some low hanging support strut along the port side which ripped the canvas, bent the support poles and the solar panel support poles. The momentum also bent the hinges on the radar arch.
So it was back to Waterford where we had to wait for about an hour to get into the lock. We're currently tied up in a rustic area along an old sea wall with three other sailboats who have been here as long as we have. There is 110v 15 amp electricity which is good but it's not enough to power up the AC electrical panel on the boat where all the air conditioning is located. And of course its hot. So we drink cold beer.
We're assessing our options. The boat is functional however any storms will certainly be an issue due to the top canvas structure being damaged. We made some temporary repairs for the time being. There are no real canvas repair shops along here and the latest news on the Canal is that it could open in 10 days. Or three weeks.
Water levels preclude us from heading to the Champlain again. That and the added distance would throw us way behind in our plans to be in Chicago by September.
Do we wait for the Erie to re-open? Wait until the water levels drop and try the Champlain Canal again and travel the added distance? Head back south towards New York? All good questions I'm sure we'll be answering in the days ahead. Meanwhile we'll be sipping cocktails at the upcoming Steam Tug festival here in Lovely Waterford.
We invited a couple from one of the sailboats over to the boat for wine (2 bottles!) and some cool air. We had a marvelous time. Great people! They are french and were on basically the same route we're on. And they've been stranded for about as long.
Waterford. Who knew ...
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