Thunderbird Lodge Yacht in Need of Repairs - How You Can Help

6/30/2014 |

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The wooden "Thunderbird" yacht is currently being held captive within its granite garage at the historic Thunderbird lodge.

Low water levels on Lake Tahoe and a damaged engine have put the glamorous speedboat out of commission until the 2015 summer season. To get the beauty back out on the water, the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society will be need to raise $250,000 to repair the twin Allison aircraft engines.

Custom built in 1939 for the real estate mogul George Whittell Jr., the "Thunderbird" boasts two 1,100 horse power Allison engines — a type of engine used in WWII fighter planes — under its Honduran mahogany and stainless steel paneling. On the "Thunderbirds" final cruise of summer 2013, the engines started to make unusual noises which then resulted in scored cylinder walls, pitted crankshaft bearings and fragmented piston rings.

The Preservation Society fortunately has two spare Allison engines in storage but will need to be completely disassembled, inspected, and rebuilt before they can be reconfigured and installed into the gleaming boat. The total cost of this endeavor along with paying for the repairs for the damaged engines will total around $250,000. Two generous donations totaling $75,000 have put the repair underway as the Preservation Society hopes to have the yacht back on the water by 2015, when it turns 75.

Our Thunderbird Lodge Kayak Tour running every Tuesday throughout the summer is a great way to help support the Lodge and raise funding. This adventure includes a brief paddle to the Lodge from beautiful Sand Harbor leading into an hour walking tour of the Whittell Estate, before having lunch on the beach and paddling back to Sand Harbor. A $39 donation will be made to the Preservation Society from our Thunderbird Lodge Kayak Tour whish will help support the repairs of the classic "Thunderbird" yacht.

Click here to help make a donation directly to the Lodge, to help get the Thunderbird yacht back out on the waters.

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