Since Corn Hill Navigation’s founding 30 years ago by the late Ted Curtis, a former Rochester city manager, hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds have experienced the natural beauty and history of the Erie Canal and Genesee River from inside the Sam Patch’s main cabin.

In any given boating season, passengers come from all 50 states and around the world, and include more than 2,000 students from schools throughout the region.

Designed and built locally by Midlakes Navigation (now Erie Macedon Landing), Sam Patch is a modest vessel, not luxurious or upscale, but friendly, welcoming to all, and comfortable.

Sam Patch is operated by Corn Hill Navigation, a nonprofit organization with the mission of engaging people of all ages and backgrounds in on-the-water recreational and educational experiences.

Sam Patch’s design is inspired by that of a packet boat, the style of vessel first used for transportation of passengers, freight, and mail on the canal in the first half of the 19th century.

The historical design of the vessel complements the village of Pittsford, Sam’s home port.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the boat’s capacity was reduced by half, and the captains, crew, and passengers were required to strictly follow COVID protocols.