Check out these remote controlled locks, I know you want one

This Guy Knows What's Up

Cruising The Cut: A Charming YouTube channel by an English Narrowboater

Midlakes Launches New Boats

Harriet H. Wiles

Hanging out around marinas can be a lot of fun, especially ones like Midlakes in Macedon, NY. Midlakes is home to Midlakes Navigation's fleet of Canal hire boats, which you can rent for cruises up and down the canal. The houseboats are styled after European Narrowboats, and are what amount to floating condominiums, or at the very least a floating luxury apartment.

Midlakes has been providing this service with boats that they design and build for generations. In fact, Midlakes built the Sam Patch, but that's another story. Peter Wiles, owner and operator explained to me that they had built around twenty boats, and have been in the process of buying back several boats that they had sold over the years, so that now their fleet is around 14 boats in all.

Peter Wiles

One of the boats that had been purchased back from an individual has been re-built and was recently launched as the Harriet H. Wiles, named in honor of Peter's mother.

Designed as a single-couple rental, with deluxe appointments, Harriet is both spacious and modern. The boat also has some updated features, including an enclosed cockpit, which will make for more comfortable navigation, especially in inclement weather.

Lightship for Sale

You say you like boats? And Lighthouses? Why not have both?

Sula is currently housing a Centre for Complimentary Healthcare and offers various treatments. It also houses the Gloucester Buddhist Centre and offers accommodation for the owners.

Unfortunately, I don't think you could get very far up the canal with those masts.


Sula is 107' long, 26' wide and has a draft of 11'.

 • One of the very rare lightships with a Fresnel lens system in the light-tower. (very common for light-houses, not for light-ships)

• The foghorn design is only used on 2 ships worldwide

• The life-boat: one of the first fibre-glass life-boats ever built.

Built in 1958 in Beverley near Hull for the Humber Conservancy Board. There are 4 bedrooms, almost completely intact with teak bunkbeds, desks and seating. The main bedroom was created from 2 original cabins and can easily accommodate a large double-bed. All bedrooms have a variety of storage cabinets and have traditionally looking CH radiators installed. Bedroom-1 has got a telephone and TV connection. Click through for some great onboard pics.