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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!

Cruise-USA

228-424-3768

Erie Canal Adventures

1125 Marina Parkway

Macedon, NY 14502

315-986-3011

Erie Canal Cruise Lines

P.O. Box 285

Cape Vincent, NY 13618

800-962-1771

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

Erie Canal Cruises

800 Mohawk St.

Herkimer, NY 13350

315-717-0350

Knothin's Easy Yacht Cruises

1811 Wayneport Rd.

Macedon, NY 14502

607-283-9517

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

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.

BayCreek Paddling Center

1099 Empire Blvd.

Rochester, NY 14609

585-288-2830

Erie Canal Boat Company

7 Liftbridge Lane West

Fairport, NY 14450

585-748-2628

Genesee Waterways Center

149 Elmwood Ave.

Rochester, NY 14611

585-328-3960

 

Updated 29 October 2021

 

 

 

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