Jaime and I have lived in South Lake Tahoe for over eight years. We came for the winters and the even better spring skiing. Summer was an after thought. We’re not beach people. We LOVE the mountains. Instead, we spend every free moment we have playing in them. Shredding powder. Riding singletrack. Even so, when the opportunity to do a Tahoe Keys Boat Rental of a 1958 Century Coronado came up, I couldn’t say no. It was a personal bucket list item. And to tell you the truth, going onto Lake Tahoe was mind blowing. It provided another perspective on just how BIG this alpine lake is. How huge the mountains are. You can of course hop on a clear kayak or even enjoy the sights from the legendary M.S. Dixie II paddleboat, but why not do it in style via a Classic Wooden Boat via the Alpenglow Boat Company?
How I Fell In Love With Wooden Boats
Growing up, my Dad always took me to watch every James Bond flick on the big screen. I could see the glint in his eye when we watched them. It reminded him of his glory days. Living in New York City in the 60s. Racing through the Manhattan streets in his favorite car of all-time, a 1963 Jaguar E-type sports car. A thirty-something well-dressed jet setting man that wasn’t looking for trouble but could finish it if it came to be. Besides the cars and the clothing from the films, the one thing that was etched in my brain was the wooden boat scene in ‘Goldeneye.’ I remember it like it was yesterday. The cold air of the theatre. The aroma of buttered popcorn. Seeing Pierce Brosnan roll up to a yacht in Monaco via a vintage wooden boat.
Father Son Bonding
My Dad was like a cattle dog. Intense. Always tinkering and fixing. Redoing the kitchen floor. Replacing a transmission on a car. He rarely relaxed. One of the few moments that he did slow down and savor the moment was to enjoy watching a James Bond film. It might be why I have such a love for wooden boats. When my friend Kyle bought one and began a Tahoe Keys Boat Rental service for it I KNEW I had to get on it. On a random Friday night he told me that no one had rented the boat the next morning. With a few Bourbons in me I had to say yes!
Beat The Washoe
I knew from writing for the Lake Tahoe Water Trail that the best time to get out on the lake was early morning. Like a Swiss watch, every afternoon the Washoe Zephyr winds pick up with a fury. As Mark Twain so eloquently put it:
“A Washoe wind is by no means a trifling matter. It blows flimsy houses down, lifts shingle roofs occasionally, rolls up tin ones like sheet music, now and then blows a stagecoach over and spills the passengers; and tradition says the reason there are so many bald people there is, that the wind blows the hair off their heads while they are looking skyward after their hats.”
Kyle and I made it a point to meet up at 8am on the dot to ensure we had a smooth as glass surface to enjoy on the lake. With the time set we set off to bed.
Roosters And Coffee
Instead of the alarm awaking us, it was the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Excitement for the day. Skipping breakfast for the moment, we poured some java into our mugs and rushed out. The roads were quiet with only the early morning roosters on their way to trail heads or the beach. Even in the Tahoe Keys Marina, we were one of the first cars in the parking lot. As we walked the pier, the low sun angle made everything look magical. Sharper and more contrasting. And yet each stall was filled with the same nondescript modern boats. The only difference was the color.
A Work Of Art
And there she was – The Radiance. A Rembrandt amongst a gallery of plastic chairs. Even though she stood still, it looked as if she was moving. The sun beamed off the chrome. The wood shined from the many layers of varnish like a Victorian antique chair. The vinyl upholstery and top reminded me of a ’57 Chevy. I could have spent an hour taking it all on, but today was the moment to enjoy her in action.
Classic Car In The Water
Taking a seat up front, I immersed myself in the cockpit. A big horse emblem in the center and a massive steering wheel. I came to later find out that steering wheel was from a 1950’s Lincoln car. The blue dash and dials. It felt like a luxurious 1950’s Cadillac on water that Frank Sinatra would be in. As he turned the key, the engine roared to life. I couldn’t hold back my childish smile. The V-8 engine rumbling behind me. It’s gigantic heart in the center pumped loudly energetically. I couldn’t believe the moment had come.
Roaring To Life
Gliding out of the marina, the engine gurgled yearning to be let loose. Like a well trained police dog it wanted to go but was waiting for the command. We putted our way through the channel and out onto the lake. The moment we exited the ‘No Wake’ Zone, the captain hit the gas. The monster awoke with a roar as if it was the Lion King of Tahoe. I couldn’t believe a heavy sleek beast like this could move so fast. The front of it began to rise and plane over the calm waters. Yet again my face lit up like I was a child again.
A Tidal Wave Of Fun
I looked back towards Jaime. She had taken a seat in the rear and was laughing hysterically. The sheer power of the engine and hull design created a monster tidal wake. On each side of Jaime, huge waves surrounded her and felt as if they would crash into her and yet they didn’t.
Powder Slashing Tahoe
The captain turned the steering wheel and the boat glided right. The turn felt less like a normal boat and more as if it was an airplane. Floating its way in a new direction. Then he turned left. He continued to do this for a few times. The sensation was like a skier in deep powder making a turn. Passing another vintage boat we all waved knowing how unique of an experience to be on one. It was more than I could’ve imagined.
Skinny Skis Or Powder Planks
Modern day hulls have a deep V-hull. This allows for them to cut through choppy water easily but provide a less “floaty” experience. As more boats began to show up I understood why a smooth lake was crucial for a vintage wooden boat. When there’s a lot of traffic on the water the old school design creates a bumpy ride in the front due to its floating feel. Very similar to wide skis on chunder snow.
An Ode To My Dad
We knew our time was beginning to grow short. As I scanned the horizon, I tried to take it all in. The snow-filled bowls on Mt. Tallac. Casino high-rises of Stateline. How small the giant pines that blanketed the mountains looked. The light goldenrod color of the beaches. Instead, my mind drifted to my Dad. He just passed away last September but I knew how much he would’ve appreciated this.
$15 Off Boat Rental
Our friends at Algenglow Boat Company are offering our readers a chance to experience a classic wooden boat AND save a few bucks. All you have to do is let them know Local Freshies® sent ya, and you’ll get $15 off of a Tahoe Keys boat rental.
