River watchers may have noticed a distinctive two-masted vessel with red sails plying our beautiful Navesink on recent Saturdays. That’s Pete’s Banjo, a replica of a 19th-century Tuckerton Oyster Garvey built by members of New Jersey Friends of Clearwater and named in honor of late folk singer Pete Seeger. A true sailboat, it has no motor, so “when there’s no wind, we have to row it back to shore,” says Clearwater’s Charles Gross. 

Two-hour excursions for eight passengers on Pete’s Banjo are open to the public and free, but pretty much booked up through the end of the season October 15, Gross said. The organization’s environmental sail program, of which the outings are a centerpiece, will resume in the spring, he said.  (Photo by John T.Ward. Click to enlarge.)