Pedal Cruise Boat Will Launch In Stamford's Harbor Point This June

STAMFORD, CT — Residents will soon get the chance to relax and have some fun with family and friends on the waters in Stamford with the addition of Pedal Cruise boat tours in Harbor Point.

Pedal Cruise, which originally began in the Orlando, Fla., area in 2021, will offer relaxing and interactive public and private cruises that can accommodate up to 26 passengers on an excursion through Stamford Harbor and the Long Island Sound beginning June 1.

The boat features 12 pedal stations surrounding a central bar-top, along with bench seating and 360 degrees of water views. Guests can listen to their favorite tunes through bluetooth speakers, sip on non-adult or adult beverages and enjoy snacks while pedaling the boat throughout the 90 minute experience.

The company, which was founded by Colin Caplan, Christian Bruckhart and Rob Paul — all Connecticut natives — expanded to Milford last year and became the first and only pedal powered, paddle-wheeled party boat service in Connecticut.

Stamford seemed like a logical next step for Pedal Cruise, Caplan told Patch.

"We're very excited to be in Stamford. Stamford presents this great opportunity, a new market for us, a whole group of very active people that really need and want to have this kind of activity going on here in Stamford. We feel welcomed and we welcome people back onto our craft," Caplan said, adding that he's particularly excited to join the growing Harbor Point community.

"We see ourselves as part of the amenities that complex offers," he added.

Pedal Cruise lends itself to celebrations like birthday, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate outings, team building experiences, or just quality time with family and friends on the water.

"Our boat is a social experience. We love the fact that this allows and gives people a chance to be in Connecticut's most beautiful area, which is our Long Island Sound and water," Caplan said. "This is actually an opportunity for people to experience that together. We're all about gatherings, we're all about people celebrating moments and we think this boat is a great place to do that."

The route will generally stay within Stamford Harbor, either down the east or west branch. Two staff members — a captain and first mate — will be on each boat tour to ensure safety and a good time for all, Caplan said.

"You'll get to see people and be seen, listen to some of your favorite tunes while you're sipping and relaxing. If you'd like to, you can pedal… It helps the boat go, but it's not the only means of movement," said Caplan, noting that a motor is on board, too.

Public and private tours will be offered seven days a week, rain or shine. Water conditions must be safe for the boat to launch, however.

Caplan started Taste of New Haven, a company that specializes in food tours, events, classes and festivals some years back. He was approached by Bruckhart about starting a party bike tour service, which morphed into Elm City Party Bike six years ago.

Paul then got involved, and suggested the creation of a party boat, which launched in Sanford, Fla., in 2021.

"What we saw was Florida has lots of boating culture, but Connecticut just did not seem to have that offering. We saw a greater amount of opportunity here in Connecticut to offer this kind of service," Caplan said. "We happily scouted and found great ports to operate out of, starting in Milford last year, and now entering Stamford. It presents an awesome opportunity, I think, for everyone to take part and enjoy Connecticut's waters."

Pedal Cruise is also hiring in Stamford. For more information and to book a tour date or view a list of frequently asked questions, click here.