ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

The Team at Kentucky River Tours has years of experience in boating and outdoor recreation. Our three captains all hold USCG Master's Licenses, as well as other certifications from the USCG, US Sail, the American Canoe Association, SOLO Wilderness Medicine, and more!

We take Venmo for our services.

OUR BOATS ~ Fun, Safe, & Memorable

Kentucky River Tours currently operates two boats.

Our original boat is a Carolina Skiff 27 DLX 16 passenger conversion. This boat, titled the "Trace of Kentucky", is USCG inspected to hold 15 passengers and one captain. We maintain PFDs for each person, plus additional youth PFDs. The boat has an open deck with a 90% bimini cover! So no issues with sun and light rain! Square cable railing enclosing the deck allows standing and enjoying the view, safely and comfortably. Our bench seats sit four passengers each, back to back, so you can enjoy the river views, with two additional seats in front of the center console. The boat is propelled by a Honda 135 HP outboard motor, with more than enough power to move up and down river, however, we maintain a mild cruising speed for enjoyment and conversation. There is no head, or bathroom, on board, so consider this when planning.

Our second boat is a Thoroughbred Houseboats conversion to tour boat. She is titled "The Bourbon Belle", and holds 49 passengers and requires three crew, a captain and two deck hands. She is a two deck boat. The lower deck has bench style seating around the perimeter and plenty of standing room. She has a covered front and back deck which make enjoying the river very comfortable even in light rain. On the first level she also has two separate restrooms, each with a head and sink. The upper level is open with chairs spaced in the middle and comfortable standing tails around the sides. Their is an upper helm for captains driving and a full covered awning over the entire level. She has ceiling fans upstairs and a stereo system. A spiral staircase connects the two levels. Our boats are both very comfortable and safe way to enjoy the Kentucky river, so you can focus on the wonders of Mother Nature around you!

Your Professional Captains and Guides

CAPTAIN ALLISON DEPENBROCK

Allison has been around the outdoors and outdoor tourism since she was a child. She grew up in the family business, Canoe Kentucky, which she now owns with her husband, Nathan. She is passionate about kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, kids experiential education, getting women in the outdoors, and her family. She received her Masters in Business from Xavier University. She holds a 100 Ton Masters License from the USCG.
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CAPTAIN NATHAN DEPENBROCK

Nathan is most passionate about getting people outside and creating life changing experiences. He is co-owner of Canoe Kentucky with his wife, Allison. He is an American Canoe Association River Canoe Instructor Trainer, an EMT & Wilderness First Responder, and a Swift Water Rescue Technician. Nathan loves anything outdoors, including hunting, hiking, and paddling. He holds a 100 Ton Masters License from the USCG.
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CAPTAIN CLAYTON EMBLY

Clayton has been in and on boats as long as he can remember. He worked for many years for the US Military Sea Lift Command, and was a harbor master on the Chesapeake Bay in and around Baltimore. His passion is sailing, owning many boats, and competing in races all around the country. He is co-founder of Sail Kentucky, a project to expose central Kentucky to the sport of sailing. He holds an Unlimited Tonnage License from the USCG.
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DARYL CASEY

Daryl joined the Kentucky River Tours team in 2024. He is a recently retired military veteran, serving in four combat missions overseas over his 33 year career. He was also recently employeed as a Tour Guide at Buffalo Trace Distilery. He brings to the KRT team a sense of humor, a deep understanding of the history of bourbon and an enjoyment of our signature product in Kentucky; bourbon!
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DAVID DAILEY

David is a long time educator, retiring from being a history teacher and from school administration just a few years ago, after a decades long career. He moved to the Peaks Mill community outside of Frankfort in order to be closer to his two adult children and grandchildren. His love of bourbon led him to get a tour guide job at Buffalo Trace. He joined the KRT team in 2024, where he shares his love of two of his favorite things: history and bourbon.
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ASHLEY RHODES

Ashley brought a very unique skill set to The Bourbon Boat in 2024; she had worked as a bartender before! She is a long time family friend of the Depenbrock's, and has also worked at our sister company, Canoe Kentucky, in the past. In fact, her father and her daughter have also worked there, making them a three generation part of our business! We are proud to have her as a bartender on the Bourbon Belle!
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DAVID HILLARD

David has been with the Bourbon Boat since 2023. He serves as a deckhand and occasional bartender. His love of the water is evident and his hard work ethic is even more so. His greatest attribute might be his outgoing personality and the fact he is a life long Frankfortian means he knows almost every body in this town!
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JIM RHODES

Jim has served as a deckhand on the Bourbon Boat since 2023. He is a long time friend of the Depenbrock's and has been helping them out in all their hair brained ideas for over 25 years. In his real work he is an IT Engineer and a professiona personal security dog trainer.
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