Broad Ripple Boat Company, L.L.C. provides paddle wheel excursions on White River. Founder and Capt. Mike McRee described his nautical aspirations dockside.

"What started the company was the boat sitting on the bottom of Morse Reservoir for three years. I had it raised off the bottom with large cranes and pumped it out. We ran it to my farm and spent three years rebuilding it. I'm an arborist (in my daytime job) which allowed me to harvest the logs from my work and have them milled. A custom-made box light is made from black walnut from the Kokomo Glass Foundry, the oldest one in the United States. White Oak was used for the bar portion of the boat. Most of the steel was salvaged from scrapyards around the Noblesville and Anderson areas. I had to re-plate the bottom of the boat, which was in itself a large project. It is an authentic paddle wheel boat. There's one on Lake Shafer in Monticello that has propellers underneath it. This boat went into service in June of 2010 and is named Perseverance II. Part of that name is from the three years it took to see it through. There was a Perseverance I, but it went over the Broad Ripple dam back in the early 1900s. I sailed as a young child and I've had boats offshore in Florida on the Gulf side. I have also done a lot of fishing, diving and worked on oil drilling platforms for several years," he explained.

By restoring the Perseverance II to the era of paddle boat excursions, Capt. McRee provides maritime tours for groups to enjoy the tranquility of White River. Birthday parties, business outings, dinner cruises, family reunions, graduations, meetings, pleasure cruises, special occasions, weddings and receptions are just a few of the events creating memorable seafaring experiences for attendees.

"Our season usually begins in mid-April and depending on the weather, lasts until mid-November. Most of our excursions take place on the weekends, but now we are starting to book events through the week. We happen to be the only licensed charter boat for hire to carry passengers in Central Indiana. This is our fourth season operating. We have a three person crew. We start in the Broad Ripple area and head north on the river and go past various historical sites like the White River Yacht Club and Indian Grist Mill by the Keystone Avenue Bridge. An excursion takes approximately three and half hours. A lot of people are really surprised that there are big boats on White River," Capt. McRee noted.

Seating capacity for Perseverance II is 65 passengers. Some of its features include a built-in public address system, private restrooms and a full service galley. "We have a full-size steam table, a six-burner grill, large convection microwave and fresh water supply. Custom catering is available where an entire meal can be prepared on board or passengers can choose menu options from our local caterer," he added.

Capt. McRee reflected on his life experiences around water: "I get a lot of satisfaction being on the water, being an Aquarian. I've done a lot of diving and fishing in Florida. The most rewarding thing about this project is for all of the people who said I couldn't do it. The employees of my tree service company, (M & M Tree Surgeons) helped me work on the boat when I wasn't working as an arborist during rainy days and during the winter." His visionary craftsmanship has made the Perseverance II a reality. Jimmy Buffet would agree.

The Perseverance II was built in honor and memory of Meredith Smith. He was a White River Yacht Club icon responsible for the White River fireworks for over 40 years as well as a mentor for many young men.

Some current events included on Perseverance II's schedule are WARMfest on the weekend of August 30-31, 2014, and a Caribbean Reggae & Soca Cruise on September 27, 2014, from 6 to 10 p.m. More information is available at: www.broadrippleboatco.com.

Broad Ripple Boat Company has free parking and a bus shuttle in the 73rd & Keystone Avenue vicinity. Customers are encouraged to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to departure. A bus arrives to chauffeur them a short distance to the White River dock where Perseverance II awaits. To book an event, call (317) 254-BOAT (2628) or e-mail: info@broadrippleboatco.com.

Capt. Mike McRee has navigated rivers throughout the United States. He can steer your group's event through countless memorable evenings on White River with the Broad Ripple Boat Company.