
<p>The Judge Ben Wiles and Barbara S. Wiles boats have sailed the waters of Skaneateles for almost 40 years. Owner Ben Aberhard cares for the boats, holds guided tours, hosts wedding parties and delivers mail during the warmer months.</p>


Ben Aberhard looks out the pilot house of the boat Judge Ben Wiles onto Skaneateles Lake in New York. Ben is the captain, owner, and maintainer of several boats that sail the lake. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

Kenny Holston

Shweta Gulati

The Judge Ben Wiles sits on a sled on the shore of Skaneateles Lake in New York, Oct. 24, 2025. The boat is put ashore using railroad tracks and a sled that is powered by an old tractor’s diesel engine. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

Ben Aberhard checks the roller bearings of the propellor shaft in the collection, holding, and transfer tank hold on the boat Judge Ben Wiles. The roller bearings are lubricated by lake water that naturally makes its way up the shaft while operating and the excess is caught by a stuffing box. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

An intricate pump lies in the engine room of the boat Judge Ben Wiles that diverts water to different parts of the boat. Ben calls this pump the “Christmas tree.” (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

The checklist for the engine room of the boat Judge Ben Wiles was signed off for the last day of service for the year of 2025. The boat was put ashore Oct. 17, 2025, ending its season. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

Ben Aberhard works through the off season to keep the Judge Ben Wiles in working condition for the next season. He says he and his crew all have clothes covered in grease and grime after a day’s work in the boat’s compartments. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

Ben Aberhard answers a phone call off the starboard side of the boat Judge Ben Wiles. Its sister boat Barbara S. Wiles was also used to ferry people, hold tours, and deliver mail. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

The Trident, another boat build by the Wiles family, is held in the original barn it was constructed up the road from where the Judge Ben Wiles is ashore. Ben Aberhard explained that the boats were built by Peter Wiles Sr. after he traveled to England and fell in love with the countries canal boats. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

The railroad tracks used to put the 65-foot steel boat Judge Ben Wiles ashore and to sea disappears into the water of Skaneateles Lake in New York. The Judge Ben Wiles will not sail on the water again until Spring 2026. (Photo by Vincent E. Zline)

The Alexia Fall Workshop

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STAYING AFLOAT

Produced by

Vincent Zline

Coached by

Kenny Holston

Shweta Gulati