Story and photos by Diane Cannon Piwowarczyk

Sunday, October 24, 2021, David Hoffman, with wife Jerri alongside, christened the Miss Augusta for her maiden voyage with a bottle of Mount Pleasant Estate’s sparkling wine. The yacht is operating temporarily out of the Yacht Club of St. Louis, 125 Lake Village Drive, St. Charles, MO. and will ply the waters of the Mississippi until its move to the Klondike Park Boat Dock in Augusta. The dock is expected to be completed by early spring, then the Miss Augusta will cruise the Missouri River. Guests will be transported via trolley from Mount Pleasant Estates to the boat dock so as not to infringe on available parking spaces at the public boat access.

On Sunday, October 24, the Miss Augusta departed The Yacht Club of St. Louis for the 1-hour maiden voyage downriver. The scenery along the Mississippi is beautiful, dotted with islands and views of the bluffs along the Illinois River road in the distance. St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann was among the guests and shared this, “We are proud of our scenic wonders. We are happy the Hoffman’s are exposing this part of St. Charles, along with the Augusta wineries, allowing visitors to discover the beauty of the area and the deliciousness of the grape. The Miss Augusta will be a delightful addition to the tourism in St. Charles County.”

The Miss Augusta is a 105’ Skipperliner, with three levels, the first and second salons are climate controlled and allow the boat to cruise in all weather conditions. Both salons offer full-service cash bars. The yacht is handicap accessible and family-friendly. Sightseeing cruises offer a menu of appetizers and snacks available for purchase. Dining cruises include options featuring a lunch buffet, hors d’oeuvres or plated dinners. The Miss Augusta also offers monthly wine and live entertainment cruises, and specialty holiday cruises.

The yacht is a much-anticipated addition to the Hoffman’s vision for their $125 million Augusta project. Since January 2021, the Hoffman Family of Businesses has acquired four wineries and several businesses in the Augusta area with the intent to turn the region into a national wine destination. Hoffman explains, “We want to add to the visitor experience of the area. We want people to stay the weekend, visit our wineries, and enjoy the many activities we offer.” Additional upcoming projects include a 65-room hotel and conference center, a 12-hole golf course, an amphitheater, and an 18-room boutique hotel and wedding venue.

Jenny Gezella, President of the Hoffmann Boat Operations, is excited to see the popularity of the Miss Augusta for private events and weddings. The starting price for events is $50 per person. To rent one level pricing begins at $2,000, and two levels, $4000.

Good to know: A port charge of $4 each on cruise tickets and a fee of $2.50-5.50 per person applies depending on the menu being served. Coupons are available on the website under Special Offers and range from $3-$7. Military discounts are available. Guests are to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure. For tickets or information regarding booking a private event, visit www.missaugustaboat.com.

David Hoffman with his wife Jerri, christened the Miss Augusta with a bottle
of Mount Pleasant Estate's sparkling wine.


Miss Augusta operates temporarily out of the
Yacht Club of St. Louis, 125 Lake Village Drive, St. Charles, MO.