About Us
Our Captain
Captain Dawson Raymo has been boating since he was a child growing up on the St. Lawrence River. The son of a hunting and fishing guide, he often helped his father in his business. Captain Raymo, licensed by New York State as a Pilot and Engineer of Public Vessels, has owned a boat in the Finger Lakes area for over 25 years, the past 18 of which have been on Canandaigua Lake, where he now resides.
Our Boat
Tours are conducted on a Harris 24-foot pontoon boat, a 240 Cruiser Entertainment series. The boat is spacious and comfortable, with a 12-foot bimini to provide shade for those who prefer it as well as seating in the sun for those who want a tan. Certified to carry 8 people - adults or children - there's plenty of room to spread out. We even have a table and stools to enjoy snacks and beverages. Type I life vests are stored with easy accessibility on all trips. Other recreational life vests and flotation devices are available for swimming if passengers would like them.
Boat Tours
Tour Canandaigua Lake Your Way
Your cruise can be a slow, scenic tour of the coastline, enjoying views of the beautiful homes along the way, or go at a faster pace and enjoy the wind in your face! You can even spend time near the Canandaigua Beach where many boaters anchor and enjoy the afternoon in the water or on the boat.
A longer tour allows for cruising the entire length of the lake - which is about 20 miles. Sunset tours are also available upon request - a beautiful and peaceful experience.
Tours can be from 2 hours up to 4 hours. They can be scheduled for mornings and/or afternoons. We do not have a set schedule of our boat tours. Our schedule is based upon what our guests request. A tour of the entire lake takes approximately 3 hours, especially if you want to see the castle that was recently built by Robert Sands, owner of the Lake House and Constellation Brands wines. A longer tour also allows for a stop for swimming near the sand bar with our large swim mat off the back of the boat. We also can schedule private guided sunset tours, returning to the dock before dark.
During your tour we provide some interesting historical facts about the lake and show you some of the beautiful homes owned by well known local business owners.
We invite you to bring your own lunch, snacks and refreshments on board or, for an additional charge, you can order a box lunch. We'll have it on the boat, ready to enjoy when you arrive! (Inquire about box lunch options when booking)
Scheduling & Pricing 2024
2024 Boat Tours Available: May 24 - September 30.
Ready to come aboard? Reach out to Captain Dawson by email at livingthelife6774@gmail.com. Minimum tour length is 2 hours with a maximum of 4 hours. Tours are available on an individually scheduled basis; morning, afternoon or early evening. Pick-up and drop-off is at the Canandaigua Public Docks (next to Canandaigua Lady on Lakeshore Dr.) or at the Lake House docks, adjacent to the Sand Bar.
Pricing is as follows: 2 Hour boat tour: $350 total for up to 8 people; Cash or Venmo only. Additional hours are at $100 per hour. You'll find our prices to be very reasonable and our services excellent.
