Welcome to Sea Suite Cruises
Our journey began in 2018 when Jack and Jack launched Potomac Paddle Club in Washington, DC. As the first pontoon pedal boat or “cycleboat” in DC, tourists and locals alike fell in love with the Paddle Club experience and the adventures they shared with family and friends aboard the boat.
After witnessing the way Potomac Paddle Club energized and united the DC community around getting out on the water, the Jacks sought to build a water-focused partnership and franchising platform centered on electrifying waterfront communities nationwide through the empowerment of local entrepreneurs.
In 2021, Sea Suite Cruises was born!
Get Together, Get Away!
Sea Suite Cruises are the perfect solution for anyone seeking both a rousing get-together and a relieving getaway. We offer water-based, recreational experiences with local charm. Whether you’re a visitor or resident, enjoying our cruises with your crew will make you feel both at home and away!
Our mission is to unite people around the wonders of the water for scenic celebrations. Because time is so valuable, we believe it’s important to maximize who you spend it with, how you spend it, and where you spend it.
Entertain Your Favorite People
We’re strong advocates for bringing people together!
Enjoy Your Favorite Pleasures
No party is complete without good food and drinks!
Explore Your Favorite Places
Waterfront communities offer the most amazing views!
They say the only thing better than owning a boat is having friends who own boats. All of the fun, none of the headache. Well, consider us those friends!
Meet the Founders
Co-founders Jack Maher and Jack Walten were both born and raised in Arlington, VA. They became best buds in preschool at the age of two after one pivotal conversation changed their destinies forever. In 2018, Washingtonian Magazine captured their memory of this origin story:
“We were like, ‘Oh, your name’s, Jack? Alright, we’re going to be best friends.”
Did We Just Become Best Friends?!
And just like that, a lifelong friendship was born — This was definitive proof that when these boys agreed on something, they’d make it happen. The Jacks grew up together exploring the banks of the Potomac River and often attended the same schools. They jokingly predicted that they’d one day start a business together.
After graduating from Yorktown High School, they headed south attending rival schools in South Carolina.
Jack Maher
Jack Maher graduated from the University of South Carolina and began his career at Deloitte in the Rosslyn Office. At Deloitte, Jack spent his early days in the firm’s marketing function, where he developed and implemented strategic marketing campaigns to differentiate Deloitte’s services in the market.
He then transitioned to the Deloitte Greenhouse®, where he designed and delivered immersive full-day executive workshops that challenged the thinking of Deloitte’s most senior clients in solving complex issues and aligning on innovative paths forward.
Jack Walten
Jack Walten graduated from Clemson University and began his career at Mercury Analytics in Washington, D.C.. He came into Mercury Analytics as a project manager, taking the lead on various individual projects before quickly elevating into an operational role. In this role, he bid on projects with existing clients and supported the company’s chief operating officer with accounts payable and accounts receivable.
As the company grew, Jack was promoted to Director of Business Development and took charge on creating new leads to build lasting and impactful relationships with Mercury’s clients.
From Best Buds to Business Partners
While working at their corporate jobs, both Jacks caught the entrepreneurial bug. During one of many conversations over a beer at a local bar, they began flirting with the idea of starting a business together like they used to growing up. They’d seen group-powered trolley pubs in the streets of many cities and thought it’d be awesome if there was a version on the water.
“They’re incredibly fun, but you get pretty hot by the end… If you had a little water breeze, got to see the sights, that’d be sweet.”
A little Google research led them to a boat manufacturer. The company supplied paddle boats around the country—but none yet in DC. Rising to the occasion, in 2018 the Jacks launched their first business venture, Potomac Paddle Club, in the Nation’s capital.
The success of Potomac Paddle Club combined with their love of connecting and entertaining people inspired the Jacks to launch Sea Suite Cruises.
Meet The Crew
On every tour with Sea Suite Cruises, there will be an expert, USCG Certified Master Captain and deckhand aboard. While they all Major in keeping you safe, some Minor in fun facts, Dad jokes, and engaging conversation.
In addition to the Jacks, here are a few more members of our leadership team you may sea out on your next cruise!
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Capt. Luke McCartin - Chief Operating Officer
Luke McCartin, another lifelong friend from Arlington, was brought aboard and worked his way up the ladder from our first deckhand in 2018 to the COO of the company.
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Capt. Chase Clark - Creative Director
In 2020, Chase Clark, a close friend of Jack Walten’s from Clemson, left his full-time job as a graphic designer in Atlanta to join the Paddle Club team. In addition to bringing his unbelievable design talents to us for all of our branding and merchandise, he quickly worked his way up to the role of the company’s Creative Director.
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Capt. Karlee Vaillant - Director of Human Relations
Karlee Vaillant started out as a customer and developed a bond with our crew while aboard. Coincidentally, she had extensive experience working aboard boats in Annapolis and was looking for a change, so she joined our team in 2020. From there, she’s grown into an integral member of our management team and our Director of Human Relations.
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Capt. Hanna Yangilmau - General Manager
Hanna Yangilmau has been in the marine industry in various roles for almost a decade, starting out serving on Baltimore’s dining cruises before making the switch to deckhand. From there she worked for several maritime cruise and taxi companies as well as being PADI dive certified before getting her captain’s license in 2020.