I just read about Genny Delight, an unusual electric-powered craft that has just transited the entire Tonawanda-to-Waterford portion of NYS Canals.

It made me think of some unusual craft on the Canals that I’ve seen over the years. And I’m inviting you to send along your photos of unusual vessels and other odd sights you’ve seen; if you’ve seen things but not managed to get photos, briefly write your story. On my other blog I did a post of unusual craft some years ago here, calling it “exotic Erie Canal.” Let me share some more of the sights I’ve seen on the legendary waterway. All the photos below I took back in 2014.

Ra was a solar-powered trimaran. Read the story of their completing a Great Loop voyage here.

Imagine traveling the length of the Canals looking backward? Students at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester have done this each year as a fund-raiser since at least 2014 when I caught this photo of the team in the Waterford Flight. Most recently they completed the 2026 transit.

Above lock 7 I caught this kayaker paddling eastbound to raise awareness of autism; Burlington or bust was his motto.

This Iraq war vet was paddling the Great Loop to raise awareness of veterans’ disability issues.

I was never sure what the story here was, but these “triple kayaks” flying the Ontario provincial flag near Plantation Island intrigued me.

I saw a number of interesting craft that season, some like the ones below with improbable registries, like New Zealand! Oh look, Urger is there too; I took the photo near the bridge in Sylvan Beach.

No registry is printed on the stern of this boat, but it flies the Dutch flag and the name Zwerver means “drifter.”

I have many more, but here’s an opportunity for you to share your photos and/or stories. Send to canalsocietyofnysphotos@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment below also if you wish.