Antique Boat Museum: Speed Boat Ride

Captain Bruce

As we end our tour of the exhibits at the Antique Boat Museum, our next stop is one of the boats the museum maintains as part of “In Water Fleet”: Miss 1000 Islands, reproduced from the original 1930s design by the Hacker Boat Company in New York. This 30-foot, mahogany runabout, powered by a Mercury 8.1 liter, 385-horsepower engine, is a real beauty. And in a few moments, Pam and I will step aboard for an exhilarating ride on the St. Lawrence River.

We are introduced to Captain Bruce, our pilot, and once aboard, we head out on the river. Capt. Bruce is native to the area, and we learn not only about the river and its rich history, but also about all the wealthy families whose mansions line the banks and islands.

If you're counting, there are more than 1,000 islands in the 1,000 Islands area -- 1,864 islands (give or taker a few), split between the U.S. and Canada (you can see Canada in the distance, as well as the bridge that connects the two countries). Capt. Bruce explains we don’t want to venture into Canadian waters – with the COVID lockdown in place, you could risk a hefty fine.

Out in the open water, the captain asks if we want to go slow or fast. No thinking long on that one: Fast! The engine roars to life and we are soon speeding along at an exhilarating 45 knots, our hair flying in the wind. Afterwards, Capt. Bruce took us at a slower pace by a lighthouse and talked about the long-ago geology that formed this region. One more note to add: Don’t be surprised if an enormous tanker or cargo ship suddenly appears. The seaway, with its locks and canals, is the main thoroughfare for ocean-going ships to travel from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, going as far as Duluth, MN.

Taking the ride with Capt. Bruce was easily one of the most memorable 90 minutes of our road trip. If you are in the Clayton or 1000 Islands area, the Antique Boat Museum is definitely a must-see.

See for yourself:

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Video/Photos by North Palm Beach Life