Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Corvair wrote:Thank you for the information. Launched at Isle View on 6/11/2010. Circumnavigated Grand Island and traveled up the Canal to the old Richardson Boat factory. Beautiful and sentimental (lived on the Canal as a child)! Made the mistake of launching on Saturday. You folks sure have more than your share of Jerks. Many high powered catamarans speeding and terrorizing "normal boaters". Was sorry I made the effort. As I was traveling toward Strawberry Island three boats abreast were bearing down on me at a high rate of speed.Got to the east bank as soon as I could and the operator of one boat was claring as he went buy. I guess I just did not know my place.

As someone who has spent five years managing a marina, I can honestly say that there's a lot of jerks everywhere on the water, not just in Buffalo.

Thank you for the information. Launched at Isle View on 6/11/2010. Circumnavigated Grand Island and traveled up the Canal to the old Richardson Boat factory. Beautiful and sentimental (lived on the Canal as a child)! Made the mistake of launching on Saturday. You folks sure have more than your share of Jerks. Many high powered catamarans speeding and terrorizing "normal boaters". Was sorry I made the effort. As I was traveling toward Strawberry Island three boats abreast were bearing down on me at a high rate of speed.Got to the east bank as soon as I could and the operator of one boat was claring as he went buy. I guess I just did not know my place.

It depends on what part of the Niagara River you wish to visit.If you wish to visit the upper portion Buffalo would probably the best.If you wish to explore the Gorge and all the historic forts of the war of 1812 you would have to launch in the lower part of the river say maybe St.Catharines,or Niagara on the Lake on the Ontario side there is a few boat ramps in Lewiston N.Y. also.The ideal trip would be to sail to the eastern end of Lake Erie and explore the upper part of the river the traverse the Welland Canal starting ar Port Colborne and ending at Port Weller which is about 10 miles from the mouth of the Niagara.The best time for that would be the first weekend of August 1st to the 5th (inc) where there is a huge festival in Port Colborne called Canal Days.We usully have around 250,000 people attend Canal Days with lots of "Tall Ships" tons of entertainment (90% free) and a great museum with all the history of the welland Canal.Google "Canal Days" for lots of info.

There's quite a few public launch spots & marinas from Buffalo down to the Tonawandas. No equipment needed that you don't already have for boating anywhere else. Bring the fenders if you decided to transit the Black Rock Lock.

-B in B

It has been many years since I've boated on the Niagara River.
My boat (21' Sea Ray) is registered in Wisconsin and I believe I have all the coast guard approve equipment required. What do I need to launch in the Niagara? Where can I launch? We used to launch near the Tonawanda Police Station.
Any help would be appreciated.