Boat the Erie Canal

The E-Houseboat is being designed and built to be the first all-electric propelled and powered houseboat commercially available within the US.

The design team at East Coast Houseboats has been actively working on a completely unique way of building houseboats, and the E-Houseboat will be the first to benefit from this method. 

Starting with a fiberglass pontoon platform, the hulls are designed to minimize weight and provide less resistance as it travels down the waterway.  The cabin is built completely with lightweight composite materials but without sacrificing the level of year-round comfort that is common to our standard boat designs

East Coast Houseboats has been fortunate enough to partner with marine industry leaders such as Yanmar Mastry and Glendenning Marine to provide the propulsion and control engineering.

The design includes the necessary infrastructure to not only propel the boats, but re-charge it’s battery bank as she plies the Erie Canal in part due to the large rooftop array of lightweight solar panels.

 Capitalizing on the latest lithium-Ion battery technology, controls, and propulsion from industry leaders, and including features such as 12v led lighting throughout, 12v refrigeration, 12v HVAC.  All of which include products chosen for their ability to be integrated into the overall design and build of the boat.

At 30’ LOA, with a beam of 12’ the E-Houseboat will comfortably accommodate a family or 4 as a cruising houseboat or can be configured as the perfect day boat anchored in a cove. 

Looking to design your own version, we can build these boats from 22’ to 30’ and in beams from 10’ to 15’9”.  The engineering can be configured to focus less on daily cruising and more on daily living, as an example these boats could be completely off the grid cabins located in remote locations.

Outdoor spaces include a front deck, as well as a large roof deck space perfect for great views and sunsets.

E-One the first boat of its kind is scheduled to launch on the waters of the Erie Canal System in New York during the 2022 Navigation season.  The boat during its sea trials will be available for lock tours, boat shows and on the water events throughout the year.  E-One will then be available for bareboat charters on the Erie Canal. 

The NYS Canal Corporation has announced the navigation schedule for 2021 Season

Mariners are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 21, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. for the 2021 navigation season.  This proposed schedule of operations could be impacted by the COVID pandemic and/or the need to repair critical infrastructure.  The public will be notified accordingly through the Notice to Mariners system if this occurs. There are no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal System in 2021. 

The hours of operation for the 2021 season are as follows:

• Standard hours of operation until navigation season closing date, October 13: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In addition to the schedule listed above, the following locks and lift bridges will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. until September 15:

• Lock C-1, Halfmoon
• Lock E-7, Niskayuna
• Lock E-8, Rotterdam
• Lock E-23, Brewerton
• Lock O-1, Phoenix
• Lock O-2, Fulton
• Lock O-3, Fulton
• Lock O-8, Oswego
• Lock E-24, Baldwinsville
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Fairport
• Lock E-32, Pittsford
• Lock E-33, Henrietta
• Spencerport Lift Bridge
• Adams Basin Lift Bridge
• Park Avenue Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Holley Lift Bridge
• Hulberton Lift Bridge
• Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
• Knowlesville Lift Bridge
• Medina Lift Bridge
• Middleport Lift Bridge
• Gasport Lift Bridge
• Exchange Street Lift Bridge, Lockport
• Lock E-34/35, Lockport
• Lock CS-1, Cayuga
• Lock CS-2/3, Seneca Falls
• Lock CS-4, Waterloo

In addition to the schedule listed above, the following locks will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until September 15:

• Lock E-25, Mays Point
• Lock E-26, Clyde
• Lock E-27, Lyons
• Lock E-28A, Lyons
• Lock E-28B, Newark
• Lock E-29, Palmyra
• Lock E-30, Macedon

In addition to the structures listed above, Locks E-2 through E-6 and Guard Gate #2 in the Waterford Flight as well as Locks E-21 and E-22 will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Thursday through Monday from May 21 to September 15.  During the same period, the hours of operation for the Waterford Flight will be 7:00 am to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Due to roving operations, some delays may be experienced during certain periods in the Waterford Flight. 

Vessels will be admitted through structures if arriving prior to scheduled closing.  Vessels arriving at Lock CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls or Lock E-34/35 in Lockport from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both chambers.  Vessels arriving westbound at Lock E-21 in New London or arriving eastbound at Lock E-22 in Verona prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks.  Vessels arriving southbound at Lock C-4 in Stillwater or arriving northbound at Lock C-3 in Mechanicville prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks.  Vessels arriving at the Waterford Flight from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through the entire Flight.

The New York State Canal Corporation has announced the operational hours and dates for the 2019 Navigation Season for the entire canal system.
Boaters are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 17, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. for the 2019 navigation season. There will be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal System in 2019.

The hours of operation for the 2019 season are as follows:
• May 17 to October 16: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In addition to the schedule listed above, the following locks and lift bridges will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from May 17 to September 11:
• Lock C-1, Halfmoon
• Lock E-7, Niskayuna                                 

• Lock E-8, Rotterdam
• Lock E-23, Brewerton
• Lock O-1, Phoenix
• Lock O-2, Fulton
• Lock O-3, Fulton
• Lock O-8, Oswego
• Lock E-24, Baldwinsville
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Fairport
• Lock E-32, Pittsford
• Lock E-33, Henrietta
• Spencerport Lift Bridge
• Adams Basin Lift Bridge
• Park Avenue Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Holley Lift Bridge
• Hulberton Lift Bridge
• Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
• Knowlesville Lift Bridge
• Medina Lift Bridge
• Middleport Lift Bridge
• Gasport Lift Bridge
• Exchange Street Lift Bridge, Lockport
• Lock E-34/35, Lockport
• Lock CS-1, Cayuga
• Lock CS-2/3, Seneca Falls
• Lock CS-4, Waterloo
In addition to the schedule listed above, the following locks and lift bridges will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from May 17 to September 11:
• Lock E-25, Mays Point     

• Lock E-26, Clyde

• Lock E-27, Lyons
• Lock E-28A, Lyons                             
• Lock E-28B, Newark
• Lock E-29, Palmyra
• Lock E-30, Macedon
In addition to the structures listed above, Locks E-2 through E-6 and Guard Gate #2 in the Waterford Flight as well as Locks E-21 and E-22 will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Thursday through Monday from May 17 to September 11. During the same period, the hours of operation for the Waterford Flight will be 7:00 am to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Due to roving operations, some delays may be experienced during certain periods in the Waterford Flight.
Vessels will be admitted through structures if arriving prior to scheduled closing. Vessels arriving at Lock CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls or Lock E-34/35 in Lockport from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both chambers. Vessels arriving westbound at Lock E-21 in New London or arriving eastbound at Lock E-22 in Verona prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Vessels arriving southbound at Lock C-4 in Stillwater or arriving northbound at Lock C-3 in Mechanicville prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through both locks. Vessels arriving at the Waterford Flight from either direction prior to scheduled closing will be admitted through the entire Flight.
To be advised of all information related to navigation on the Canal, sign up for the New York States Notices for Mariners notifications
http://www.canals.ny.gov/wwwapps/tas/tascanals/index.as

For the second straight year fees for recreational boaters are being waived for all recreational boaters on the Erie Canal Season.  That’s the good news, of course that notice came out right after the notification from the New York State Canal Corporation related to the once again shortened schedule for the 2018 navigation season.  The revised schedule is posted here. 

It is very important that the recreational boaters of the region get out on the water this year,  the only way to the Canal Corporation and it’s parent the NY Power Authority will return to a full navigation season is by the boaters and the communities along the canal getting out on the water, attend the waterfront events, use the locks.  A record is kept of every lock through done on the entire system.  If you’re concerned because the locks in your community are only open to 5, get out and use them.  The amount of locking’s in any specific lock is the only way the Canal Corp. can determine the boat traffic in a particular area. 

Dates & Hours of Operation during the 2018 Navigation Season on the Erie Canal

The New York State Canal Corporation announced once again that the navigation season on the Erie Canal will be shortened to a schedule similar to the 2017 season.

Boaters are advised that, conditions permitting, the Eastern Erie Canal (locks E-2 Waterford through E-23 Brewerton will be opened on Tuesday May 15th. at 10:00 

The balance of the New York State Canal System, including the Champlain Canal, Western Erie Canal, Oswego Canal and the Cayuga/Seneca Canal will be opened on  Friday May 18th. at 7:00 a.m. conditions permitting.

The entire Erie Canal System will close for the season on Wed October 10th. at 5 p.m.

The standard hours of operation for the 2018 season are 7 a.m. to 5 pm. with the following locks and lift bridges having extended hours until 10 p.m. from May 18^th. to Sept. 12^th.

• Lock C-1, Halfmoon
• Lock E-7, Niskayuna
• Lock E-23, Brewerton
• Lock O-1, Phoenix
• Lock O-2, Fulton
• Lock O-3, Fulton
• Lock E-24, Baldwinsville
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Fairport
• Lock E-32, Pittsford
• Lock E-33, Henrietta
• Spencerport Lift Bridge
• Adams Basin Lift Bridge
• Park Avenue Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Brockport
• Holley Lift Bridge
• Hulberton Lift Bridge
• Ingersoll Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Main Street Lift Bridge, Albion
• Eagle Harbor Lift Bridge
• Knowlesville Lift Bridge
• Medina Lift Bridge
• Middleport Lift Bridge
• Gasport Lift Bridge
• Exchange Street Lift Bridge, Lockport
• Lock E-34/35, Lockport
• Lock CS-1, Cayuga
• Lock CS-2/3, Seneca Falls
• Lock CS-4, Waterloo

In addition to the structures listed above, Locks E-2 through E-6 and Guard Gate #2 in the Waterford Flight will operate on demand from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Thursday through Monday from May 18^th to September 12^th.  During the same period, the hours of operation for the Waterford Flight will be 7:00 am to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Due to roving operations, some delays may be experienced during certain periods in the Waterford Flight.

Vessels are required to arrive at a lock at least 15 minutes prior to closing to ensure being locked through, and at a lift bridge at least 5 minutes prior to ensure an opening. 

If there is any positive information out of the Canal Corporations continued reduction in the length of the navigational season it’s the fact that they have once again suspended the fees associated with recreational boating.

We welcome your comments on this years schedule.  All comments will be forwarded to the Canal Corporation.