American Narrowboater Vlog 13 The Erie Canal Lacks the Narrowboat Feeling

[@shawnrhyme5831]

I enjoyed watching this video of yours that you made well over a year ago, maybe 2 years ago. Either way from other videos that I've watched concerning narrow boats on the other side of the pond. I think I'd prefer the UK'S simple way where the boat crew opens and shuts the locks. Along with that I would only cruise on a 12 foot wide beam narrow boat. I'll check out some of your other videos. I live near Jacksonville.

[@aj41926]

Very good observations. I think the historic canals in the US were more similar to UK canals but most of those closed in the 1900s. In the Erie canal's case, it was completely remade in the 1900s

[@jackbeyer4356]

USA canals were built much wider. It's surprising how they caused the founding of so many great American cities like Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati.

[@jackbeyer4356]

And you were spot on about the Erie being redone in the late 1910"s

[@ireneshortt984]

Jack thank you for the vlog. It looks as if you had a great adventure. Looking forward to the rest of the videos.x

[@americannarrowboater9634]

I should be coming out with more vlogs soon. Next one up will be on the Erie Canal locks; how they work and who works them.

[@hellyavard8552]

Thanks for sharing

[@americannarrowboater9634]

Thanks for watching. And for leaving a comment.

[@lisafidlerrealtor2065]

THANK YOU for this!!! My dream is to go live aboard a true narrowboat in the UK. Then I dis some searches and noticed there are a few places you can canal in the US...but was doubtful it would be the same feeling.... this video helped so much!!!

[@jackbeyer4356]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Canal boating in the US in New York at least is a cruise from city to city mooring. If you see an interesting place to tie up for the night, you are not allowed. In the UK you can tie up just about anywhere as long as there’s room. I’m off on a two week cruise starting 9/19/23

[@lfidler13]

@@jackbeyer4356 UK or US?? I'm adding you to my Vlogs to follow, lol... I follow several in UK...

[@jackbeyer4356]

We're cruising the Four Counties Ring in England. @@lfidler13

[@hanpaseo5180]

Thank you kindly for your very informative vlog! Can you please recommend a narrowboat rental company that is convenient in terms of location? How do you get from major airports to the rental boat location? Do you use public transportation? Most likely I would leave from LAX in Los Angeles. Thank you.

[@americannarrowboater9634]

Thanks for the comment. I've put a link below to where I actually address your questions. Step one is to pick where you want to visit in the UK. There are over 2500 miles of canals so what boat hire company depends on where you are cruising. I use ABC Hire Boats but only because I've rented from them before and I get a loyalty discount. Also, how many locks do you want to do. Watch the vlogs and get back if you have any other questions. Hopefully I'll see you on the "cut" as the canals are called. I have planned on three weeks in June. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXfCnIF9mN6mqac

[@rickk.667]

Thank you for the video. What brand is your hat?

[@jackbeyer4356]

It’s a Tilly of course. I’ve worn it on all our trips. I live the secret compartment where I keep an emergency $50 bill

[@arnoldsnodgrass2953]

Good info. A shame it wasn’t quite the experience you were hoping for.

[@americannarrowboater9634]

It was still fun, but as I said in the vlog, I was spoiled by my experiences on the UK canal system.

[@gosugar]

Hope you are all well. We were wondering about the very question you answered. That is, would someone looking forward to a UK canal narrowboat adventure enjoy a trip on the Erie Canal. The “canyon of trees” and the restrictive laws of NY did it in for me. It is what it is Jack, hope to see you on the UK system.

[@americannarrowboater9634]

It did it for me as well. Still, I hope to visit the Champlain Canal and the Oswego Canal but not as a boater. For boating I'll stick with the UK. My son and his wife are going with us to cruise the K&A next Summer.

[@GregoryLyles]

Canada?

[@jackbeyer4356]

Canada? I know nothing about the canals of Canada, though I'm sure they were just as important as the canals in the US and UK. Love to cruise some one day.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

John, Thank you for an accurate assessment of the Erie/Barge Canal as compared to English canals.👍👍😊😊 Regarding your Barge/Erie canal trip This vessel at the Waterford museum is what the current Erie Canal was built for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4uTe6J8gd99adE

[@joannwahl6946]

Beside canaling on the NYS Canals these past 40 years we’ve done boating in the U.K., France & Belgium. And you’re right, those waterways are mostly magical and an experience you can’t really duplicate in the U.S. But while you wanted to be as ‘positive’ as you could, you kind of give the impression that the Erie is more or less a drag. Having cruised across the entire state many times, I can tell your exposure was limited in time and distance and it caused you to make some blanket statements that aren’t necessarily true…. the repetition of not being allowed to anchor is just not fact. If you had been able to make it all the way west to Tonawanda or eastward from the Syracuse area your impression might have been better. Your larger point that the Erie suffers from what I call “lunatic neglect” is true enough. You pay a goodly sum to boat in Europe and even more in Canada, and their canals are almost crowded with users. The NYS Canals (the best examples in America) are free to boaters and totally under-used. Did you get into the Finger Lakes ? They are part of the System too and gorgeous.