The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is a 106-foot replica vessel modeled after the Dutch vessels that sailed the Hudson River in the 18th and 19th centuries. Launched in 1969, the Clearwater, and the non-profit organization that operates it, were founded by folk music icon and social activist Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi, along with like-minded individuals who sought to "build a boat to save the river" after decades of industrial pollution.
The organization is dedicated to protecting the Hudson and stewarding an intergenerational community of river advocates through education, sailing, advocacy and music. Known as "America’s Environmental Flagship," the Clearwater is on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places for its groundbreaking role in the environmental movement.
The Clearwater hosts public sails from different towns up and down the Hudson, including Poughkeepsie and Beacon, offering adults and children alike the opportunity to connect with the river and admire its scenic beauty. After you help the crew raise the mainsail, feel free to visit the crew at the fish tank to see some Hudson River critters. Then, meet the captain at the helm to take a turn on the tiller, and enjoy a traditional moment of silence broken by song before returning to the dock. A trip aboard the Clearwater is a memory that will last a lifetime.
