I have always wanted to take a trip down this canal. Something in the order of a 52 foot Sea Ray with a pilot would be to my liking...
The 52’ SeaRay may be to high off the waterline to make it under many of the bridges across NY state. The barge canal(formerly Erie Canal) was constructed to haul small barges with a 15’ beam or less using horses to pull them along the length of the canal.
However, I am sure there are many canal boats that could be rented with captains. Also, there are sections that connect the Finger Lakes south of Rochester and west of Syracuse where you would have access to Seneca and Cayuga Lakes where a 52’ SeaRay would be just the ticket.