I'm interested in making the trip up the Mon to Pittsburgh for one of the early Steelers games this year....assuming they have a season! Does anyone make a similar trip? We would be coming from the Maxwell Locks in a 20' bowrider. Rough ideas on total time? I've never "locked-thru" so I'd try that a few times before making the full trip. Looks like 4 sets of locks? Any ideas, tips or info would be great. Also considering staying overnight...possibly Station Square at the Sheraton. Are there any docks in that area? Again thanks for the help.
In a 20 foot boat, that trip should take you four hours, if you lock thru right. I believe maxwell is around 60 river miles. Station square is a good place to stay, and have a hotel if weather gets nasty.
That sounds like a great trip! I would definitely practice going through the locks a few times and make sure you have a handheld marine radio so you can call the locks to get the scoop as you approach them. For a steeler game day, the wall is often full, so you may want to come down a little early or get the scoop ahead of time. There are multiple hotels on the north shore now as well. It is a great time tailgating for the games - I highly recommend coming down for one. Plenty of other fun stuff to do around there too if you are going to make a weekend out of it. The weather and how late in the season dictates how busy it would be in that area.
Maxwell lock would be the first new style lock for you. Don't get too used to it, though. The next three are completely different. (old style)
if you are not familiar with locking thru, do some research beforehand. Ask others what works best for them. Maxwell, you only need a short line, and some decent fenders. The old style locks require 100 feet of line.
Thanks for the info...still new to boating! Got it at the end of last season..only out a few times. Of the estimated 4 hour trip, how much of that should I expect to spend waiting/locking thru? I've read some of the etiqutte articles, but still have questions. If I find someone to let me raft off, what is the procedure if they want to leave before me? Same question if someone rafts off to me and I want to leave? Is the atmosphere appropriate for children? Also saw that people leave "gifts" for lock master, is this common? Pretty excited, had her out today cleaning up. Planning first launch tommorw.
The locks are hard to tell, you could go right in after 5 minutes or you could wait a few hours. Usually it is the shorter wait but hard to tell. That's why the radio helps or having their phone number so you know rather than just "Pulling the chain" and waiting. If you do have to wait or boats are coming out from locking the other way be sure to stay clear of the approach area until its your turn.
For the rafting, the first boat is sort of the owner of the string and if someone inside of you wants to leave then they can leave. It is sort of an agreement when they let you tie up that you are at their mercy to have to move (even if just temporarily) to let them out. It is easier to raft with people you know but have also met fun people rafting with those I do not know. Often on busy Steeler game days everyone sort of has their string planned out and has promised spots to their friends that would fill up their string but you could get lucky. Its good you read some of the etiquette articles... a lot of it is common sense but slips people's minds often.
As for children, that just depends who you are hanging out with. Steeler tailgates are a big party for the most part. If you are hoping to just tie up to a string you don't know I wouldn't recommend it the first time because you do not know where you will end up. Steeler's season is a long time away, you could always make a trip to Pgh before then to check it out!
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