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The Erie Canalway System: Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, and Tour Boat Information

YOUR OWN MOTORIZED BOAT

The canals are toll-free and no permits are needed to pass through the locks or use the lift bridges. Night passage may be conducted only with special permission.

New York State law requires that all mechanically propelled vessels, including sailboats with auxillary A large motorboat is docked at Lock 6 of the Erie Canal in New York State USA. power, operating in the waters of the State be registered and numbered in the State. Registration may be done through any office of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Bridge clearances can be a problem for boats with tall canopies (over 15 ft./4.5 m.) on the Tonawanda to Three Rivers Point part of the canal. The speed limit on the canals is 5 mph/8 kph. There is a "no-wake" etiquette for motorized boats.

Marinas can often be full during the summer. Be sure you know where you will be mooring your boat before you set sail.

CHARTERING A BOAT

You don't have to be a shipping magnate to plie the waters of the Erie Canal. Small boats--usually accommodating 4 to 6 people--are available for chartering. And if you've never been at the helm of a boat before, not to worry. Hands-on instructions are available. It takes only a couple of hours of practice, and they'll be calling you Captain. Boats usually come equipped with most necessities. A cruise from one end of the Erie to the other takes about five days. It's a great way to vacation with the kids or without them!

Amherst Marine Center Inc.

1900 Campbell Blvd.

Amherst, NY 14228

716-691-6707

Blue Heron "Drive-It-Yourself" Boating Vacations

11 Burkewood Rd.

Mt. Vernon, NY 10552

914-668-1040

Collar City Charters

427 River St.

Troy, NY 12180

800-830-5341

Canal Princess Charters

P.O. Box 421

Tonawanda, NY 14151

716-693-2752

Cruise-USA

P.O. Box 305

Montrose, PA 18801

570-967-2588

Erie Canal Cruise Lines

P.O. Box 285

Cape Vincent, NY 13618

800-962-1771

Mid-Lakes Navigation Co.

11 Jordan St.

Skaneateles, NY 13152

800-545-4318

DAILY TOUR BOAT EXCURSIONS

If you have limited time and want to spend only a few hours or half a day visiting portions of the canal system, check out these excursions. Meals are sometimes served onboard the boat. These cruises often have a historical guide onboard.

Colonial Belle

400 Packett's Landing

Fairport, NY 14450

585-223-9470

Corn Hill Navigation

P.O. Box 18417

Rochester, NY 14618

585-262-5661

Erie Canal Cruises

800 Mohawk St.

Herkimer, NY 13350

315-717-0350

Gondola Renaissance

P.O. Box 1694

Auburn, NY 13021

315-515-0212

Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises

210 Market St.

Lockport, NY 14094

800-378-0352

Mid-Lakes Navigation Co.

11 Jordan St.

Skaneateles, NY 13152

800-545-4318

River Otter Boat Tour

Riverforest Park

9439 Riverforest Rd.

Weedsport, NY 13166

315-252-4171

Spirit of Rochester

18 Petten St. Ext.

Rochester, NY 14612

586-865-4930

CREWED CHARTERS

For a personalized, worry-free cruise, this is the way to go.

Force Seven Charters, Inc.

P.O. Box 26593

Rochester, NY 14626

585-330-0593

Seneca Cruise Co.

212 High St.

Geneva, NY 14456

315-789-1822

OVERNIGHT LUXURY CRUISES

Enjoy the luxury of a large ship and overnight accommodations.

American Canadian Caribbean Line, Inc.

461 Water St.

Warren, RI 02885

800-556-7450

Classic Cruiser Charters

261 Brighton Rd.

Worcester, NY 12197

607-397-9344

Mid-Lakes Navigation Co.

11 Jordan St.

Skaneateles, NY 13152

800-545-4318

CANOE AND KAYAK RENTALS

The use of the locks is free to non-motorized boats Kayaks wait to be rented near the Fairport bikepath along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in the Finger Lakes, New York USA. and is at the discretion of the individual lockmasters based on risk to the boater. Non-motorized boats are expected to keep to the right side of the canal so that large boats don't have to go around them. The speed limit on the canals is 5 mph/8 kph. There is a "no-wake" etiquette for motorized boats.