Springtime…When you get a little behind on your Boat blogging

So, as it turns out, I am apparently a very bad Blogger.  Only a few weeks into this and I am already behind on my posting.  As every blogger, I am sure,  has done,  I promise to do better.

In our last post, we promised pictures of the "Keuka's" exterior work.  The major change is in the canopy.  Where the current fleet has a canvass canopy covering the helm stand, this boat is getting a hard top, steel canopy that goes forward to completely enclose the hatch leading into the cabin.  We will add a windshield to better protect the Captain from, well, wind.  There were some differences in opinion while this new design was being thought out, but I think we came up with a good compromise.  There will still be plenty of airflow and "out-door-sy" feeling at the helm stand, but we will also be a little more weather-proof.

Framing for new windshield on Lockmaster "Keuka"

New design offers more protection at the helm stand.

New steel framing for hard-top canopy

In other news…

The "Emita II" Came out of dry dock last week and the "Judge Ben Wiles" is launching as I type.  The marina is getting into full swing, launching customer boats and polishing up the Lockmaster fleet.  Our office is busy with some marketing projects, a reservations system upgrade and stocking up the gift shop for the season.  Its definitely busy season at your friendly neighborhood tour boat company!

Leaving Dry Dock.  Time to get this season started!

Captain Dan Wiles maneuvers the "Emita II" out of dry-dock 

The "Judge" isn't hiding in the trees any longer

Clear Tracks, ready for launch.  The ice was, thankfully, kind to us this year.

Now, if this doesn't make you want to take a boat ride...

A Look Inside the Lockmaster

Finally, the ice is melting on Skaneateles Lake.  The Judge and the Barbara are safe and sound in their cradles in Borodino and there is open water around the railroad tracks, so it looks like we will be ready to launch in time for our first Lake cruise on May 9th. Phew!

Capt. Dan has been working hard getting the Emita II ready for her May 23 season opener, an all day cruise from Macedon to Newark, NY.  And, the Lockmaster fleet will be coming out of their covers soon for some quick cosmetic work and charters beginning in early May.

The most exciting news here at Mid-Lakes remains the refurbishment of the old Lockmaster Keuka.  She is a 42' boat, and was formerly laid out inside similar to the current 42' boats in the fleet. (Here's a link to the layouts if you aren't familiar: http://www.midlakesnav.com/lockmaster/theboats.html.  Our new design changes the interior quite dramatically, making an interior with a more spacious, luxurious accommodations for a couple.  It will still feature two heads and a shower, but will have upgrades in the galley (which moves aft), a queen size bed and lounge area forward.  

Here are some pictures of the progress to date.  There will be some big changes to the exterior of the boat too.  But we'll save that for another blog when we have to pictures to post.  Let us know what you think!  

The "Keuka" Project

 Despite cold temperatures, and more snow on the ground than we'd hope for (not to mention a still completely frozen Skaneateles Lake), the days are getting longer, I think I saw a robin, so Spring start-up needs to begin soon.  But first, we have a exciting project going on at the Boat Barn in Borodino!

The "Keuka" was the fourth Lockmaster Canal Boat that the Mid-Lakes built.  She was built in 1989, spent five years in our fleet before being sold, along with her sisters, "Skaneateles", "Otisco" and "Owasco" to Collar City Charters in Troy, New York.  Since that time she had plied the waters of the Hudson River, Champlain Canal and Eastern Erie Canal, changing hands a few times, but for the most part has operated continuously for all these years, most recently going by the name "Nicole Claudine".  Last Summer, we heard that she had once again gone up for sale, and we jumped at the opportunity to have her and two of her sisters back in the Mid-Lakes Lockmaster fleet.

As luck would have it, Patrick McCarthy, one of the amazing boat builders who was with us back in the 1980s for the design and building of the original Lockmaster fleet, had some time in his busy schedule to come on board for the "Keuka" project.  Work started last week, and we can't wait to brag about our progress on this new blog.  Stay tuned!

Welcome Aboard

Welcome to Mid-Lakes Navigation's new blog, Running Lights. Anyone who has followed Mid-Lakes throughout our 46 year history on Skaneateles Lake and the Erie Canal, may remember the newspaper format brochure that we snail mailed to our loyal customers each winter with the next season's schedule, news about the boats, the business, the Wiles clan, and the latest happenings on the lake and the canal.  We gave up the printed version of Running Lights several years ago, moving to a more nuts & bolts printed brochure (that fit much better on a brochure rack).

Now, ten or so years later, interaction with customers is happening a great deal through the internet and social media, we are continuing to embrace technology and bringing back a new and improved (we hope) version of the old Running Lights. If you are curious about the excitement, interests and oddities encountered in operating the premiere tour boat company in the Finger Lakes, please follow our journey through 2015.