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 may view the quaintness of Saugatuck
from the water, heading back down the Kalamazoo River
where you'll view 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 along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. We will
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 U.S. 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 non-smoking vessel.
Please
note during the months of April through October we do
not check our e-mail frequently, as we are on the boat.
If you need an immediate answer to your question, please
call us.
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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 original plans were purchased
from Dick Hoffman, for his second Island Queen. The
rough drawings were modified and updated to meet current
U.S. 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.
The Queen
of Saugatuck was14 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 steer 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 S.S. Keewatin where in the next four weeks had
her paddlewheels installed, and the main cabin and the
pilot house put on the hull. 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 U.S. Coast Guard certification.
The Star
II seats 150 passengers and crew of 3 – one captain
and one crew for cruises with 55 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:
C.B.
Bursk – Captain CB has been a captain onboard the
Star since 1999. CB is originally from Tennessee and
worked on the General Jackson prior to coming to work
on the Star I.
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 is currently
retired. 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 – A native of Lake Macatawa in Holland Captain
Bob worked in the tool and die trade for many years.
When he retired to Douglas he owned and operated his
own charter fishing boat for a number of years. Bob
has local knowledge of the area, and has been one of
our captain’s since the early 1980’s. Captain Bob retired
in 2004 on his 89th birthday. He fulfilled a life long
dream of traveling to Alaska. He is currently taking
life easy at his home in Douglas.
Bob
McAlear – Bob resides in South Haven, Michigan.
Bob began piloting the Star during the summer of 2006,
and his lively commentary is informative and 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.
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. In the winter
she finds a variety of things to do to keep her busy
until boating season begins in the spring again..
FIRST
MATES:
Kelly
Bursk – Kelly has been a first mate with us since
1996. In 2000 the crew played cupid and Captain CB and
Kelly were married, holding their wedding reception
onboard the Star II. Kelly was born and raised in the
Saugatuck area, and now works part time during the season,
when she isn’t working her full time job, and taking
care of their daughter, our future little first mate.
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.
Josh
Rooks – Josh began working around the dock at 14
- becoming the new chief grunt. Josh graduated from
Holland Christian High School in 2007, and turned 18
and became a first mate. Josh also received his masters
license to operate the Saugatuck Chain Ferry in July
2007. Josh is currently attending a local college.
Emily
Ryzenga – Emily is from Holland, and works at the
Holland City Mission in their day care facility. Emily
continues to work onboard the Star on a part time basis,
and her outgoing personality helps ensure a great time
while you are onboard.
Paula
Starring – Is currently an education major at Alma
Collage. Paula has worked around the dock and onboard
since high 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 30+ 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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