ALL
ABOARD!
GENERAL
& ROUTE INFORMATION
Welcome
to Star of Saugatuck II boat cruises. The Star is an
authentic sternwheeler which operates on the Kalamazoo
River, enters into Lake Kalamazoo (how far depends on
lake levels) where you'll view the quaintness of Saugatuck
from the water, heading back down the Kalamazoo River
viewing private homes and cottages, boats of every shape
and size, and the natural beauty of the Kalamazoo River.
On occasion, we’ll catch a glimpse of deer, wild turkey,
fox, blue heron, seagulls, and eagles as well as other
wildlife natural to the area.
As we
continue down the river, we enter the cove or basin
area, where Singapore lies buried under Lake Michigan’s
“living” sand dunes. Traveling along the 2,500 feet
of pier head we'll enter the majesty of Lake Michigan
(lake conditions permitting). As
we travel Lake Michigan’s shoreline, you may be able
to catch a glimpse of the “old lighthouse” on the north
end of Oval Beach, or make out ‘Big Red’ the lighthouse
at the Holland harbor on a clear day, and miles of spectacular
sand dunes. We enter
Lake Michigan as long as lake conditions permit. This
is a trip-by-trip  decision
when the captain can see the actual physical condition
of the lake. If Lake Michigan is too rough, we turn
around inside the safety of the piers (we try to make
it to the shoreline).
We operate
daily from the first Saturday in May through until September
30th, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday’s in October.
Please see our schedule for departure times. Our evening
cruises depart so we may catch sunset on Lake Michigan
- as long a mother nature does her job! When we return
to our dock it is just turning dusk, and you may even
catch a moon rise.
The Star
II is US Coast Guard certified and annually inspected,
and has all its safety equipment onboard – 100% adult
and child life jackets, ship-to-shore radios, cell phone,
and radar equipped.
The Star
of Saugatuck II is fun for every age! Children love
to be onboard a “big” boat, and listen to the splash
of the paddlewheels. Sit back and relax – leave your
cares and worries dockside, while you enjoy the beauty
and tranquility of the area. Onboard we have restroom
facilities which are located on our enclosed lower deck,
as well as concession areas on both decks that sell
chips, candy, soft drinks, beer, wine, wine coolers,
and mixed drinks. The Star is a nonsmoking vessel.
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HISTORY
There
have been excursion boats built and operated in the
Saugatuck/Douglas area since the late 1860’s. The Kalamazoo
River proved to be a tranquil river that was excellent
for launching boats, and was easily accessible to Lake
Michigan, as the mouth of the river was only one mile
from Saugatuck.
The Queen
of Saugatuck was built in a small machine shop called
the “Shag Shop” about three miles east of Saugatuck.
The Queen of Saugatuck's original plans were purchased
from Dick Hoffman, for his second boat, the Island Queen.
The rough drawings were modified and updated to meet
current US Coast Guard regulations. After an approved
set of plans were received, construction began at the
Shag Shop. It took approximately one year to finish
to welding the hull and fitting her out. She was trucked
down Old Allegan Road to Saugatuck Marine, just off
Blue Star Highway, where she was launched on July 7th,
1978. She was then towed by the tug R.B. Long, to her
dock at 716 Water Street, where she was finished being
outfitted and went through her Coast Guard inspections
and stability testing.
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| Memorial
Day 2002 - Star of Saugatuck I is to the left
and has been sold and now operates out of
Waco, Texas and been renamed Spirit of the
River. Star of Saugatuck II is on the right.
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The Queen
of Saugatuck was 14 gross tons, 12 net tons, 57 feet
long, 14 feet in beam, and 2.4 in depth, and held 82
passengers, plus a crew of two.. She had a single paddlewheel
in the stern, but after being in service several years,
the wheels were split to allow additional maneuverability
of the vessel. In 1992, the vessel’s name was changed
to Star of Saugatuck to incorporate the use of the family
name. The Star was used until June of 2000, when Star
of Saugatuck II went into service. In May of 2002 she
was sold and trucked to Waco, Texas, and has been renamed
Spirit of the Rivers.
Star of
Saugatuck II had been a work in process for many years.
Desiring a larger boat with an enclosed lower deck to
be more passenger friendly in inclement weather, plus
the boat needed to be a sternwheeler; numerous designs
were looked at, to find just the right one. After a
trip to New York to look at a sternwheeler, the right
design was found that would be suitable for operating
in the Saugatuck harbor.
A set
of basic plans were purchased, and upon meeting Greg
Beers and two of his colleagues, (Greg is currently
the president of Bristol Harbor Group in Rhode Island)
who were finishing their masters in marine architecture,
took on the project of developing a set of blueprints
and crunched all the numbers to submit to the Coast
Guard for their approval. The plans came back with a
few minor changes required; the plans were sent off
to Boston for review from John Gilbert and Associates.
The required changes were made, the numbers verified
again, and the plans were sent off to Coast Guard headquarters
for approval. This process alone took just over 18 months
to complete.
The Shag
Shop once again was the builder of the boat. The first
truck load of steel to arrive was 80,000 pounds. The
Star II has just a little over 100,000 pounds of steel
in her. On September 28th, 1998 the keel was laid for
Star of Saugatuck II, and over the next 12 months she
took shape and was assembled, then disassembled for
launching.
On October
17th, 1999 she was trucked down Old Allegan Road, through
the city of Saugatuck, and her hull launched at the
Spear Street launch ramp, with approximately 100 people
witnessing the launch. The hull was then towed over
by the SS Keewatin where her paddlewheels were installed,
and the main cabin and the pilot house put on the hull
within the next 4 weeks. She was then towed back to
her dock at 716 Water Street where the main cabin and
pilot house were welded to the hull. Welding the main
deck and pilot house to the hull was completed on New
Year’s Day 2000.
The outfitting
of the boat insulating the walls, putting in windows,
canopy framework, bathrooms, and everything else that
needed to be done continued through the rest of the
winter. It was hoped that the Star II would be ready
for the opening of the 2000 season, but it wasn't until
June 23rd, 2000 that she  received
US Coast Guard certification.
The Star
II seats 150 passengers and crew of 3 – one captain
and one crew for cruises with 54 or less passengers
and one captain and two crew for cruises over 55 passengers.
She weighs in at 51 gross tons, 41 net tons, length
64 feet + 11 feet of paddlewheel for an overall length
of 80 feet; she has a 21 foot beam, and draws about
3 feet of water. Her enclosed lower deck seats 70 passengers,
and has banquet style tables seating 6’s and 8’s, and
cloth, padded chairs for seating. The upper deck seats
80 passengers, and has a partial canopy over the 2/3
of the deck. The seating on the upper deck is patio
type furniture and table seating of 4 and 6. On the
lower deck you will find two spacious restrooms. The
men’s restroom also serves and a unisex handicap restroom.
Both Star’s
are authentic sternwheeler paddleboats. The cruise begins
at our dock at 716 Water Street, where you’ll travel
upwards on the Kalamazoo River into Lake Kalamazoo (how
far we go into the lake depends on water levels) where
you’ll see the picturesque town of Saugatuck by water,
back down the river, where you’ll see boats of all shapes
and sizes, cottages to million dollars homes, the natural
beauty of the area, untouched by development, and entering
majestic Lake Michigan, (we enter Lake Michigan with
permitting conditions), and then returning back to our
dock. Trips take approximately 1¼ to 1½ hours, and there
is a live narration which points out local landmarks,
points of interest, as well as some history and local
lore of the area.
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CREW
CAPTAINS:
Denny
Allen – Captain Denny came onboard in the
summer of 2008. Captain Denny has been around boats
his whole life. He comes from a boating family and in
his younger days worked on fishing tugs, and later owned
and operated a charter fishing boat on Lake Michigan
out of the port of Saugatuck. After selling his restaurant
in early 2008 he decided it was time to get back on
the water! If it's your birthday, and Captain Denny
is onboard - you may even get lucky to have 'Happy Birthday'
sung to you!
CB
Bursk – Captain CB hails from Tennessee and worked
on the General Jackson prior to coming to Michigan.
It was a fluke that we found CB, in 1999 his friend
came down to apply for the job, but CB was ready, willing
and able to try his hand at an authentic sternwheeler.
CB definitely got it and still operates the boat a few
nights a week and an occasional weekend. His wife Kelly
is a former mate onboard (guess who played cupid?) and
they have two beautiful children.
Henry
Gleason – A native of the Saugatuck area. Captain
Henry worked at the local bank as a customer service
representative for 50 years, and operated Gleason’s
Party Store and Marina for over 30 years, and currently
runs the Star II on occasion. Henry’s family owned fishing
tugs as well as excursion boats in the Saugatuck area.
Henry received his captain’s license in 1979, and has
operated both Star I and Star II.
Bob
Heath – Bob was one of our first captains and began
piloting the Star I in the early 1980's. Captain Bob
retired in 2004 on his 89th birthday. Bob passed away
in June 2009 at the age of 94.
Bob
McAlear – Bob resides in South Haven, MI. Bob retired
from his business in Battle Creek several years ago
and began piloting the Star II in the summer of 2006.
Bob loves history and the area, and has a lively narration
that is informative, as well as, fun!
Bruce
Starring – Growing up in Ganges, just about 10 miles
from Saugatuck, Captain Bruce spent all his summers
working at a local marina. He holds two degrees from
Ferris State University, and works for Tiara Yachts
as a field service representative. Bruce has worked
and operated boats all of his life, and has held his
captain’s license and worked onboard both Star’s since
1979.
Michael
Starring – Our youngest captain - but don't be fooled
by his age! Michael began riding Star I before he could
even walk, and would fall asleep behind the concession
stand. He helped build Star II and was instrumental
when performing the boat's stability test. He helps
with the maintenance and repair of the boat, and received
the first issue of his USCG masters license at age 19,
and is currently on his second issue.
Kathy
Wagaman – Kathy came onboard in the summer of 2003
while Captain Henry was out of commission with a broken
leg. Kathy has piloted a variety of boats in her career
and hails out of the port of South Haven. Kathy pilots
the Star II several evenings a week and an occasional
weekend when she has some off time from her job at the
Holland Rescue Mission, and taking her little miniature
schnauzer, Allie, for a ride in her inflatable boat!
FIRST
MATES:
Linda
Allen – Linda came onboard summer of 2009.
Linda is married to Captain Denny and are long time
residents of the area. Linda retired from owning a restaurant
several years ago and loves to go fish and compete in
tournaments. This last winter they traveled to the south,
southwest and east coast in their motorhome, and can
hardly wait to begin another traveling adventure after
the boating season ends in Saugatuck!
Chelsea
DeJonge – A graduate of nearby Hamilton High
School and will be a senior at Knox College in Illinois
as an art major this fall. Chelsea has worked onboard
the Star since 2005. Chelsea has a great smile and outstanding
personality. She'll make sure that you have an enjoyable
time on your cruise.
Marcia
Laarman – When looking for an additional
crew member in 2004 Fae Wightman suggested a long time
friend from high school. Marcia came in for the job
interview and was hired on the spot. Marcia loves riding
the boat and making sure you enjoy your ride and visit
to the area. She'll make sure your cruise is enjoyable
and the coffee is always fresh!
Paula
Starring – Paula has worked around the dock since
she was 10 and onboard the boat once she turned 18.
Paula is a senior at Alma College - in secondary education
with a major in history and a minor in political science.
After student teaching in Fall of 2010, she hopes to
go on to graduate school.
Marilyn
Starring – Has worked as first mate and gift shop
manager since 1980, and tends to be chief cook and bottle
washer. Marilyn also holds a 100 ton master’s license.
Marilyn grew up on a dairy farm in Galien, MI and moved
to Saugatuck when she was married in 1981.
Fae
Wightman – Fae’s two daughters Jodi and Wendi worked
at the Star for a number of years, and when they were
through college and working full time jobs, we were
looking for another sister to fill their shoes – instead
their mom came to work, and has been first mating for
us for the last four summers. Fae grew up in the Zeeland
area, and has lived in the Saugatuck area for over 40
years.
These
are just a few of our crew members who have been with
us an extended period of time, who will help make your
cruise a memorable one!
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