Paddle Wheeling Through Autumn on the Navesink Queen

By Eileen Moon

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – It was a beautiful day for a boat ride last Sunday as about 58 local landlubbers climbed aboard Capt. Dan Schade’s newly restored Navesink Queen for a cruise up the Shrewsbury River. The rare picturesque paddle wheeler raised anchor on its second official cruise, after a summer of renovations and inspections necessary to ensure the boat was shipshape and ready to sail.

Capt. Dan and his wife Vicky are the owners of Classic Boat Rides, which has been offering cruises on the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers since 2004 in their 40-passenger wooden boat, the Mariner.

They bought the Navesink Queen with the intention of expanding their event list and accommodating larger groups.

Now, after $60,000 in renovations, the 33-year-old Navesink Queen has new bathrooms, a bar and a heated cabin on the main deck. The second level features a canopied interior open on the sides with plenty of comfortable seating in the center and around the perimeter. The Queen can carry up to 150 people when both decks are in use.

While they’d hoped to have the Navesink Queen on cruise duty by early summer, sometimes things just take longer than you think, Schade said.

Now that its transformation is complete, Schade plans to make the most of what remains of the boating season with a series of autumn apple cider cruises and an Oktoberfest celebration with bratwurst, potato pancakes and other German delights catered by Bahrs of Highlands.

Last Saturday evening 95 people joined the crew for three hours of music, sight-seeing, dancing and cocktails; the boat has its own bar and a Bluetooth sound system perfect for parties.

Sunday’s cruise was a family affair, with about 58 parents, grandparents and children signing on for the hour-and-a-half adventure.

“My husband and I were married on a riverboat,” said Tanya Ptak of Red Bank, who was enjoying the cruise with a friend and their daughters.

“I like the hospitality,” said Jimmie Guinee of Howell. “The crew are very friendly.”

The cruise was also a winner with the adults on board. “I love all boats, but it’s gotten to a point where it’s a problem getting on and off,” said Sylvia Dondl, 75, of Middletown. “I need a hand, so I’m glad I’m on this boat.”

Ray and Dorothy Cosgrove of the Bahrs Landing restaurant family were also enjoying the ride. “I love it,” said Dorothy. “It’s a great excursion.”

“Our friends just told us about it so we thought we’d come check it out,” said Kathy Kalvin, who was on the cruise with her husband Jack. “It’s very cool. We’re enjoying it.”

As the Queen made its way up the river toward the Highlands bridge, Capt. Dan pointed out historic spots along the shoreline, like the site where explorer Henry Hudson and his men drew water after anchoring their ship, the Halve Maen (Half Moon), in Sandy Hook Bay in 1609; and Spermaceti Cover on Sandy Hook, where whales were taken for processing before oil and gas exploration put an end to the whaling trade.

On the beach at Popamora Point Park, at the end of Henry Hudson trail, the cruisers happened upon a wedding taking place in the sand. The park is named for a local Indian chief, Schade said.

The Navesink Queen travels at an average speed of about 5 knots. “She’s big. She moves slower, that’s all. But we’re in no hurry,” he said. “She could probably do 8 or 9 if pushed.” But no one’s pushing. There’s a lot to be said for a slow day on the river.

And it’s a pretty calm ride. “She doesn’t really rock much when a boat wake comes by,” Schade said.

Before the cruise made its way back to port, the captain invited all the kids (and a few adults who couldn’t resist) up to the wheelhouse to try their hands at steering the boat and get a captain’s eye view of the river.

In addition to the Oktoberfest cruise, the Navesink Queen will also be hosting a Thanksgiving fundraiser for a local food pantry. Visit classicboatrides.com.

“We’re very grateful and blessed to have this boat and we’re grateful for the circumstances that presented it to us,” said Schade. “This is our second trip and everyone loves the idea.”