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Vintage Tahoe Tours take to the Lake

Special to the Sun
www.h2omark.com/Submitted to aedgett@sierasun.comTour Lake Tahoe in the comfort of a classic wooden boat, with the added allure of history tidbits with Vintage Tours of Tahoe.
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TAHOE and#8212; Think history can only be found in dark museums with locked glass cases that one is forbidden to touch? Think again, as Vintage Tahoe Tours offers maritime history folks can experience first-hand aboard classic wooden motor boats from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Vintage Tahoe Tours principal Dean Woolery says a tour in one of these meticulously preserved and restored wooden beauties combines history with a healthy dose of exhilarating Lake Tahoe boating fun.

and#8220;The difference in the ride of a wood boat compared to a plastic one is like the difference in ride of a Cadillac to a Ford,and#8221; said Woolery. and#8220;The wood boat, being heavier and with a far better designed hull, is smooth, comfortable and quiet without the banging on the waves that is typical of fiberglass boats. And the gleaming varnished mahogany and teak, the glistening chrome trim and sleek lines of the wood boat is far more pleasing to the eye.and#8221;



Now in its second year of business, Vintage Tahoe Tours has rotated its inventory summer and will feature four classic and#8220;runabouts.and#8221; The flagship of the fleet is a 20-foot 1937 GarWood triple cockpit.-

and#8220;This boat is the only triple 20 delivered in 1937, and is the only Gar Wood on the lake that is available to the public,and#8221; Woolery said, adding this yearand#8217;s Concours dand#8217; Elegance, annual wooden boat show Aug. 12-13, has selected GarWood as the featured marquee.



Rounding out this yearand#8217;s line-up are two classic Chris Crafts; a 1958 Sportsman and a 1952 Riviera, which have been beautifully refurbished.

and#8220;Last, but certainly not least, is a 1941 Mercury Barrelback, which is the last pre-war Mercury in existence, so we named it Last One,and#8221; says Woolery.

All the boats have modern power (V-6 and V-8 engines) except the Chris Craft Sportsman, which has an original Hercules 6, but with greater horsepower than was originally installed. Consequently, all these boats provide excellent performance and dependability.

Vintage Tahoe Tours offers a variety of excursions ranging from a one-hour Kaiser Estate Tour to a three-hour Emerald Bay Tour all in the comfort of a mahogany masterpiece.

Wooden boats have played an important part in Lake Tahoe culture since the early 20th century and the knowledgeable Vintage Tahoe Tour captains offer a fascinating glimpse of the regionand#8217;s glamorous past.

Woolery promises passengers will learn secrets of old-time lake denizens such as George Whittell, Jr., Lora Knight and Isias W. Hellman, as well as juicy tidbits about the wooden boat challenges by the Kaiser and Dollar families.

All Vintage Tahoe Toursand#8217; guides are U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains who are bonded and fully insured. Passenger safety is their first priority.

Starting at $275 per tour, Vintage Tahoe Tours offers several different standard excursion options. Clients are also encouraged to personalize their tours by selecting a specific destination or utilizing the classic wooden boats as elegant transportation to a special event. Cost is $275 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Reservations are required. For more information, visit http://www.vintagetahoe.com or call 877-343-1921.

For Concours dand#8217;Elegance info, visit http://www.laketahoeconcours.com.


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