Belle is back on East Side Lake

Published 9:53 am Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Dick Nordin, left, and LeRoy Koch ring the bell and sound the horn on the Spamtown Belle Tuesday as the boat was returned to East Side Lake. Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

Dick Nordin, left, and LeRoy Koch ring the bell and sound the horn on the Spamtown Belle Tuesday as the boat was returned to East Side Lake. Jason Schoonover/jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

Crew readies paddle wheel boat for 2014 season

Austin has paddled a step closer to summer.

The Spamtown Belle, a mini stern paddle wheel boat, is back on East Side Lake, its location for the last several years.

“We just think it’s a good, unique attraction for our community to have,” said Dick Nordin, one of the three pilots, along with LeRoy Koch and Walt Baldus.

Email newsletter signup

The 36-foot long, 26-foot tall vessel can hold about 20 passengers, but Nordin said they’ll go out for fewer passengers.

Boat rides are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through September. Adult tickets are $2, and children 12 and younger are $1.

Charters for weddings, anniversaries and parties are $40 an hour.

Rides will likely get started in a few weeks.

Dick Nordin prepares the Spamtown Belle for its 2014 run.

Dick Nordin prepares the Spamtown Belle for its 2014 run.