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There is no better way to experience the beauty of the St. Lawrence River than from the bow of a boat. The spray in your face- the wind in your hair- its a feeling like no other. The magnificence of the sparkling water, set off by the picturesque islands, offers a potent reminder of why the 1000 Islands has long been the choice of vacationers from around the world. Take off and try tubing, head out on water skies. Explore the islands, and stop for a quick swim or picnic.
Be sure to bring your own boat. Clayton makes it easy to get your boat into the water. The village provides a public launch and docking at many points along the river including a 200-foot floating dock complex in front of the Village.
Clayton also has a number of well-equipped full service marinas where you can buy gas, supplies, dock for the evening, or rent watercraft ranging from kayaks to canoes and small fishing boats to houseboats to pontoon “party boats”.
If you don’t have your own boat, you can enjoy the guided pleasures of a boat tour aboard a double-decker tour boat. The scenic vessels leave Clayton throughout the day, and travel beneath the 1000 Islands Bridge to near-by Alexandria Bay and its romantic Boldt Castle, and around the islands into Canada. You’ll view the extraordinary island homes built by the privileged of yesteryear especially along millionaire’s row, and learn about Clayton’s colorful past filled with bootleggers, pirates and local “river rats”. Perhaps you would prefer a private, personalized tour where you can try a day of “rivering” with a local guide on his private boat. With just your own friends and family aboard, your tour can be as personalized as you like.
Garnsey’s Classic Island Cruises
Business Description
Classic Island Cruises offers personalized tours of the 1000 Islands as can only been seen from the decks of a truly iconic antique boat. Accompanied by a taste of the Islands, you will be visually stimulated while enjoying the region’s finest wines, meats and cheeses.
You’ll cruise the waterways in a relaxing setting for a morning, afternoon or evening with an in depth history of the seaway’s most storied passages. **If desired, you may stop at local island shops along the way or just enjoy cruising past the island sunsets on the open waters of 40 acres.**
The Muskie is a 26 foot, 1953 Chris Craft with oak keel, mahogany planks and a beautiful teak deck. She is the third of her kind in the Garnsey family to carry the same name. Her spacious desks and ride, that only a wooden boat can provide, were noted in the Thousand Islands Sun as the period’s most popular fishing boat and pleasure craft.
Recently Retired from his 26 year career with the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Service, Captain Garnsey is the third generation river Captain with a wealth of knowledge of the islands from the days of bootleggers.
PO Box 313 Clayton NY 13624