Mid-Lakes Navigation began in the summer of 1968 when Peter Wiles Sr. purchased the Pat II, an antique 26-passenger boat, and secured a contract to deliver mail to shoreside summer homes on Skaneateles Lake. Soon after, dinner cruises were introduced, captivating passengers with the boat’s charm, warm hospitality, and scenic beauty.

As demand grew, so did the company. In March of 1981, Peter Wiles Sr. and Peter Wiles Jr. purchased a new vessel from the Lake George Steamboat Company, with plans to expand their dinner cruise offerings. On April 28, 1981, the newly named Barbara S. Wiles, honoring Peter Sr.’s mother, was launched over the bridge in downtown Skaneateles. Less than a month later, on May 23, she set sail for her first cruise in her new home waters, marking another milestone in Mid-Lakes Navigation’s history.

In 1985, construction began on a new flagship vessel, the Judge Ben Wiles, named after Peter Sr.’s father. Built at Borodino Boatworks in Spafford, the 65-foot boat was transported to the lake in a dramatic daylong journey, with Peter Wiles Jr. personally trimming tree branches along the route! That night, the Judge Ben Wiles was launched before a crowd of 200. Over the years, the Judge has been upgraded with modern amenities while maintaining its classic charm, including an upper-deck dining area added in 1992 to enhance the experience of cruising Skaneateles Lake.

Today, Mid-Lakes Navigation is still family-owned and operated. The Eberhardt family purchased the company from the Wiles family in 2020, continuing a tradition of providing unforgettable experiences on Skaneateles Lake. It is one of the few companies in the U.S. that delivers mail by boat, a tradition that has lasted for over 50 years.