Fifty years ago, Captain James “Jim” Sands had a dream and the river called his name. He was tired of the construction life and wanted a job that allowed him to be with his family more. Thus began the Valley Gem. Jim, and his wife Peggy, risked all they had to build this business. Their sons Jimmy and Jason (J.J.) worked right along side them as they grew up.
What we call the first Valley Gem was put into operation in 1973 and was able to carry 98 passengers. Much like we do today, they ran the boat every opportunity they could to grow the business. Before long, 98 passengers wasn’t enough and Jim and Peggy decided they needed a bigger boat. Jim began a two year process of designing and redesigning a new Valley Gem and that is the boat you can ride today. It took 18 months to build and was completed by members of the Sands family, along with local experts. It took a village, a lot of hard work, and long days. In April of 1989, the new Valley Gem launched and is able to carry 290 passengers.
In 2024, we ran our first season having the Major/Riviera in passenger service as well. Fifteen years ago, we began a journey with our barge. At the start, the barge was merely a wooden building that served as a ticket stand. Through time, the barge was rebuilt in steel, lengthened, the interior was finished, it was a restaurant and has served a dockside event space. Time and effort were taken to make provisions for the barge to become a passenger barge. The Riviera has no power of propulsion on its own - enter the Major.
In 2015, we were very fortunate to be able to acquire the historic towboat, Major. The Major was built in 1928 and has had quite the history. It remained a working towboat up until we purchased it. Our goal was to restore and repair the vessel so that it could push our passenger barge, now known as the Riviera. Together, the Major/Riviera work as one unit and will be taking both public and private tours on the Ohio River. The Riviera holds 149 passengers with two decks. We have dinner cruises, dinner theatre cruises, sightseeing tours, and a variety of other events available.
So for 2025, we will have a full season with a multitude of public and private events on both the Valley Gem and the Major/Riviera. While the Valley Gem and Riviera are similar in size, the addition of the Major onto the back of the Riviera adds an additional 65 feet. Both vessels offer a wonderful experience and we are fortunate to have a variety of dining options, entertainment and many different opportunities to enjoy the river this year.
The Sands family, like many others, had their fair share of setbacks and sadness. In 1990 their son, Jimmy, passed away and Jim followed in 1998. Their youngest son, Jason (J.J.) would take up the mantle having grown up with the business and even helping to build the second boat. He and Peggy, along with Captain Don Sandford, continued on and kept Jim’s dream alive. Peggy passed in 2016. Jason and his wife, Heather, currently run the business.
To those of us who have been here longest, the business has changed so much. Awnings, air conditioning, food service, brochures, websites and ticketing have all been added or changed throughout the years, along with the addition of a second vessel in service – all of which has made the Valley Gem better. But it all started with a man, his dream, his family and a lot of hard work. Jim’s dream lives on through his son.
From Captain Jason, Captain Heather, Captain Don, our children and all the captains yet to be, we thank you for cruising with us and hope to see you soon...
What we call the first Valley Gem was put into operation in 1973 and was able to carry 98 passengers. Much like we do today, they ran the boat every opportunity they could to grow the business. Before long, 98 passengers wasn’t enough and Jim and Peggy decided they needed a bigger boat. Jim began a two year process of designing and redesigning a new Valley Gem and that is the boat you can ride today. It took 18 months to build and was completed by members of the Sands family, along with local experts. It took a village, a lot of hard work, and long days. In April of 1989, the new Valley Gem launched and is able to carry 290 passengers.
In 2024, we ran our first season having the Major/Riviera in passenger service as well. Fifteen years ago, we began a journey with our barge. At the start, the barge was merely a wooden building that served as a ticket stand. Through time, the barge was rebuilt in steel, lengthened, the interior was finished, it was a restaurant and has served a dockside event space. Time and effort were taken to make provisions for the barge to become a passenger barge. The Riviera has no power of propulsion on its own - enter the Major.
In 2015, we were very fortunate to be able to acquire the historic towboat, Major. The Major was built in 1928 and has had quite the history. It remained a working towboat up until we purchased it. Our goal was to restore and repair the vessel so that it could push our passenger barge, now known as the Riviera. Together, the Major/Riviera work as one unit and will be taking both public and private tours on the Ohio River. The Riviera holds 149 passengers with two decks. We have dinner cruises, dinner theatre cruises, sightseeing tours, and a variety of other events available.
So for 2025, we will have a full season with a multitude of public and private events on both the Valley Gem and the Major/Riviera. While the Valley Gem and Riviera are similar in size, the addition of the Major onto the back of the Riviera adds an additional 65 feet. Both vessels offer a wonderful experience and we are fortunate to have a variety of dining options, entertainment and many different opportunities to enjoy the river this year.
The Sands family, like many others, had their fair share of setbacks and sadness. In 1990 their son, Jimmy, passed away and Jim followed in 1998. Their youngest son, Jason (J.J.) would take up the mantle having grown up with the business and even helping to build the second boat. He and Peggy, along with Captain Don Sandford, continued on and kept Jim’s dream alive. Peggy passed in 2016. Jason and his wife, Heather, currently run the business.
To those of us who have been here longest, the business has changed so much. Awnings, air conditioning, food service, brochures, websites and ticketing have all been added or changed throughout the years, along with the addition of a second vessel in service – all of which has made the Valley Gem better. But it all started with a man, his dream, his family and a lot of hard work. Jim’s dream lives on through his son.
From Captain Jason, Captain Heather, Captain Don, our children and all the captains yet to be, we thank you for cruising with us and hope to see you soon...
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