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Classic riches upon the waters - Tahoe's Maritime Museum
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Amid the wood and water splendor of Homewood it is easy to drive past the latest treasure on Lake Tahoe's west shore.
Slow down. Stop. Back up or make a U turn if necessary.
Take an hour and be captivated by majestic sleek wooden power and sailing crafts that once graced the Lake's deep blue waters.
The Tahoe Maritime Museum captures the bygone era in a facility whose design mirrors both the lightness and sturdiness of a racing boat and a compactness of materials worthy of any seafaring galley.
Upon entering your eyes follow the graceful arc of sailcloth of the 14' gaff-rigged sailboat Vent D'Ete. The gleam of her mahogany decking shimmers as brightly as when she was a training boat for the San Francisco Yacht Club a century earlier.
To heighten the experience ask if a tour is available.
Accompanied by an expert, like Smitty, the passion of boating which drove 19th and 20th century designers, owners and gentlemen racers is easy to comprehend.
Illustrious names of Stanley Dollar, Jr., Ollie Meek, Horace Dodge, Jr. and Gar Wood are forever enshrined through the craftsmanship of the museum's boats such as the 1912 Redskin racer with her distinctive Wisconsin T-Block engine. Guides also convey the excitement and power of Gold Cup Hydroplanes whose roaring engines were stilled almost half a century ago.
The Museum's exhibits neatly dovetail the evolution of recreational boating from the unique barrel backed curves of Chris-Craft built Ta-Gah-Yin-Ga to the mass produced 1954 Bobcat which allowed many middle class Americans to experience the thrill of racing and water skiing.
Ascending to the second floor take time to look over the series of black and white photos lining the stairwell's walls. Look particularly for the one of a fishing excursion where everyone, including the dog, is holding a fish.
Upstairs the labor intensive skills required in boat restoration of varnishing (up to 20 coats) and replacing "bones" (up to 3,000 in a 20' craft) is amplified when also viewing the nearby unrestored hull of the 1890's launch Shanghai. Found by chance in the Lake, decades after her sinking, by UC/Davis students testing an underwater robot the Shanghai provides insight into the beginnings of Tahoe's tourism trade.
Interested in industrial design?
Motors, electric and gas, line one two story wall each telling the story of innovation and progress. Ask how ice cream inspired Ole Envinrude, considered the "father of modern outboard motors", to create his first motor.
The Museum also strives to keep residents and visitors alike aware of the Lake's fragility when faced with the possible intrusion of destructive zebra mussels and quagga.
Even if boats and motors are far from your normal interest - the Museum is awash with other tidbits of knowledge. Just reflecting upon nature by the double story windows facing the lake or by the large stone fireplace has its restorative powers.
Memorial Day weekend celebrates the Museum's first birthday. On Sunday cupcakes and special activities for children will be available.
Other summertime events include family night movies, lectures like "Unveiling Whiskey (the boat) over Breakfast" and a sunset cruise. On June 21st , just in time for Father's Day, their annex, in nearby Truckee, offers every boating DYI dad the chance to find that one of a kind wench or spark plug during the annual parts sale.
The Tahoe Maritime Museum is a nautical wonder for the Tahoe Basin and beyond.
Interested in more Lake Tahoe articles?
Dining along S. Lake Tahoe's Ski Run Blvd
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