Local entrepreneur Austin Haase has an exciting new venture floating on Kingston’s shores — a boat tour featuring his newly renovated and fully functional passenger boat. Originally built in 1934, Haase said it’s the oldest passenger boat operating on the Hudson River. This unique boat experience offers a nostalgic atmosphere with all the modern-day additions. It’s a fun trip to take with family and friends to experience the beauty of the Hudson from the Kingston City Marina.

The boat is called Stroller IV, and although the whereabouts of Strollers I, II and III are unknown, Haase managed to locate this one listed for sale online. After seeing the potential, he picked it up at its previous home in the Finger Lakes.

“The boat was built in 1934 at Rochester Boat Works as a passenger boat, which is exactly what it’s going to be doing now,” Haase said. “It ran until 2020 and took a couple years off but is back at it again.”

After buying Stroller IV from the family who had owned it for the past 60 years, it spent a few years in a boat yard getting work done so it could be ready for passenger use once again. “It’s a real timepiece: it has mahogany planks and is all made of original wood,” Haase said. “I’m trying to uncover some of its hidden gems and refurbish and varnish everything, essentially restoring it to its former glory.”

Haase started working on boats in 2008 down in the New York Harbor. He worked for a high-end tour boat company and on sailboats. After he started his family, they moved upstate to New Paltz. Eventually he landed an opportunity to buy a business in Peekskill, which he worked on for five years. Wanting to be closer to home, Haase looked into starting his own project, and Kingston Boat Co. was born.

“I have a thing for old boats, and really like old classic and timeless ones,” Haase said. “I feel like there’s not a lot of that around here and thought it would be cool to bring that to Kingston.”

Until the end of the season this year, Haase is open for business and is scheduling trips on the boat every weekend. His plan for these trips will center around enjoying the fall foliage this area is known for, as well as doing holiday themed boat trips closer to the holiday season. These will include freshly made hot cocoa and hot cider on board, as well as appropriate decorations and nostalgic tunes. The cabin is enclosed; work on a heating system is ongoing. “We’re trying to have it nice, cozy, cute and wholesome.”

Besides the public tours, which range from single tickets for $35 to $130 for a table for four, the boat also can be booked for private events. So far, Haase said he’s looking into working with Keegan Ales, and themed events where people dress up “old timey.”

They have also teamed up with the Hudson River Maritime Museum, and are doing a collaborative boat tour with them, with 25 percent of the proceeds to the trip going towards the museum.

Haase added that he was the museum’s first captain and helped them set up their program on the Solaris, the solar-powered boat often seen on local waters.

Haase said he wants the appeal of the trip to center around food, beverage and views, as the boat will be equipped with a buffet table and bar come next season.

For now, you can schedule your own trip on Stroller IV on the company’s website.