Spirit of Peoria
Authentic Paddlewheeler

The Spirit of Peoria was built in Paducah, Kentucky in 1988 by Walker Boat Yard. She is solely propelled by its stern driven paddle wheel. The wheel, composed only of fiberglass and wood, has 68 bucket boards and is 22 feet in diameter. The paddle wheel is powered by two Caterpillar 3412 diesel engines that turn 350kw generator sets. Two traction motors powered electrically by these generators turn two 12 inch belt chains each 40 feet in length. This process of propulsion mimics how a diesel locomotive train is propelled. Dubbed the “floating wedding cake” the Spirit of Peoria is one of the few true stern driven paddle wheelers that navigate without the aid of any thrusters or props. Many of her decorative fixtures, including the captain's bell and a brass tube that serves as a telegraph from the pilot house to the captain's quarters, were purchased at auctions from much older steamboats.

The Spirit docks in Peoria, Illinois and currently operates two day all-inclusive overnight trips up and down the Illinois river valley. This will be the first trip to Tall Stacks for the Spirit of Peoria. The Do-Wak-A-Do Dixieland Delight band is the featured performer on lunch and dinner cruises.

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