2026 Looping Again
The 2026 Route - The Canadian Triangle
The plan this year is to continue our 6000+ mile journey using the Canadian route also called the Triangle Loop. This route will take us north along the Hudson through Lake Champlain into Montreal. From there we will continue west to Ottawa and then pick up the Rideau Canal that ends at Kingston Lake Ontario. Last season we navigated through the Erie and Oswego Canals and then went north on Lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands and Kingston ON so we completed the lower section of the triangle.
Looping with a trailerable boat has many advantages and challenges. At the end of last season we left our boat in the Ess-Kay Marina, Brewerton NY and returned to Texas. We had the boat moved to New Bern NC for winter storage by an independent that was recommended to us, and Little Bit More spent the winter on the trailer at a friends property in New Bern.Week 1 - May 14, 2026
On a sunny Texas May morning we left Sun City headed towards NC. After stops to see friends in Destin FL and a tour of the Biltmore Castle in Ashville NC, we arrived in New Bern to find Little Bit More in great condition. After leaving the boat under cover for 8 months there is always a little bit of fear for what we will find. We were pleasantly surprised to learn there was not a significant amount of dirt and bugs so we launched into the task of cleaning and organizing. After several days we hooked her up and pointed north to New York.
Week 2 - May 25, 2026
Early the next morning we were greeted by a huge barge which always takes precedent for locking so we waited. The remainder of the day was a 30 mile cruise through a total of 6 locks, (following the barge!). For the next three nights we were on the Ft. Edwards town free wall. The weather was cool and windy. We started watching weather forecast again in earnest and stayed on the dock for a strong wind to blow through.
A little background...
Looping with a trailerable boat has many advantages and challenges. At the end of last season we left our boat in the Ess-Kay Marina, Brewerton NY and returned to Texas. We had the boat moved to New Bern NC for winter storage by an independent that was recommended to us, and Little Bit More spent the winter on the trailer at a friends property in New Bern.
Week 1 - May 14, 2026
Texas, Florida, North Carolina and New York
On a sunny Texas May morning we left Sun City headed towards NC. After stops to see friends in Destin FL and a tour of the Biltmore Castle in Ashville NC, we arrived in New Bern to find Little Bit More in great condition. After leaving the boat under cover for 8 months there is always a little bit of fear for what we will find. We were pleasantly surprised to learn there was not a significant amount of dirt and bugs so we launched into the task of cleaning and organizing. After several days we hooked her up and pointed north to New York. 
Week 2 - May 25, 2026
Coeymans Landing Marina to Whitehall NY
We arrived at Coeymans Landing Marina in Ravena NY late afternoon and within a couple of hours we were parked and celebrating the successful first leg of this seasons launch. This marina boasts a great boatyard, restaurant, beautiful restrooms, fuel and every amenity a boater could need. A public boat launch is right at the marina and in no time LBM was back in the water. The truck and trailer will be at Coeymans and were pointed north on the Hudson River. The first day was a repeat of last season until we passed Waterford NY, the entry to the Erie Canal and we officially entered new water. First up, move through the Troy Federal Lock!
Familiar Water and our first lock of the season
The Troy NY Federal Lock and Dam marks the head of tidal waters of the Hudson River and is located at mile 153 of the Hudson River, measuring from the beginning of the Hudson as a Federally Navigable Waterway near the Battery in New York City. The lock, which was opened in 1916, is 520 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 17 foot lift. We scrambled to get the boat ready with lines and fenders and the lock master was very nice and patient. The lock has only been open since May 15th so not very much traffic yet!
Always Be Ready for a Delay!
Our goal was to make it through several more locks. We arrived at lock C1 at 3:00 and learned that a schedule to open was in place for lock openings only at 8-10-12-2! We tied up to the lock wall for a quiet night.
May 28, 2026 - Ft. Edwards NY
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| Ft. Edwards NY Free Wall |
Colonial Roots & Spiritual Home
Rogers Island (Fort Edward, NY): This is considered the "spiritual home" of the U.S. Army Rangers and special operations forces. In 1756, during the French and Indian War, Major Robert Rogers organized nine specialized, highly mobile Ranger companies here. He drafted the famous "19 Standing Orders," which are still taught and used in modern Ranger training today.
May 30, 2026 - Whitehall NY
Four locks and 21 nautical miles winding through the beautiful Champlain Canal. This canal was opened before the Erie Canal to link the headwaters of the Hudson River to Lake Champlain.
We stayed at the free dock wall and walked into town. Came across an Irish pub at the Whitehall Marina that was marked closed but was waved in by the bartender. He regaled us with stories of growing up in the Bronx while offering up beer and Jamesons.
Four locks and 21 nautical miles winding through the beautiful Champlain Canal. This canal was opened before the Erie Canal to link the headwaters of the Hudson River to Lake Champlain. We stayed at the free dock wall and walked into town. Came across an Irish pub at the Whitehall Marina that was marked closed but was waved in by the bartender. He regaled us with stories of growing up in the Bronx while offering up beer and Jamesons.
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