Category: Boat Tour

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Classic Yacht Show 2021 at Bell Harbor Marina

classic yacht

Last month Scott and I attended the Classic Yacht Show at Bell Harbor Marina. There were about twenty yachts on display, which was hosted by the Classic Yacht Association. This association was organized in 1969 to promote and encourage the preservation of fine old power driven crafts. At the end of your tour, they asked us to vote for our favorite classic yacht. Let’s see who we select.

Yes, that is a Bayliner 4588 on display – guess you could say it’s a classic yacht! (not really). I think they simply were visiting the show. By the way, next week we tour a Bayliner 4588, so be sure to tune in. This was my second in-person show for the year and Scott’s first. While it was small, it was great to be out. The show did request that you sign in for contact tracing due to covid.

Touring the Classic Yachts

We weren’t sure what to expect as we started walking down the docks. Turns out some boats were not open for tours, but we still got to view them from the dock.

As we came upon classic yacht MY Comrade, the owner welcomed us aboard. Once we saw his golden retriever, we couldn’t resist!

This classic yacht has a really cool story. Turns out, he and his wife were NOT boaters. She had spent time on boats as a kid, but they have never owned a boat before. This classic yacht was originally custom built in 1930 by Franck & McCrary on Seattle’s Lake Union. The owner, HW Davis was actually the great grandfather of the current owner’s wife. Her mother was a pack rat and had tons of photos of the boat and she knew who the third owners were. She called them up and asked if they wanted the photos and they told her they were thinking about selling it. Immediately, she called her daughter and said “You have to buy this yacht” and so they did!

Many of these yachts were built around the 1940’s and it was awesome to see how they were designed on the interior. To think that they are all wooden and still look so great, is amazing!

Classic and Timeless

Chris Craft has done a fabulous job recently, of bringing back a retro look of their brand new boats. There’s something about a Chris Craft that is simply classy and timeless.

Everything on this classic yacht was wooden, including the kayaks and dinghy up on top!

MY Dearleap 1929

Next on the tour, was MY Deerleap, a gorgeous 1929 85′ yacht built by Hoffar-Beeching. The current owners have had it for quite a long time (33 years) and they live on the Olympic Peninsula. They did try it out as a charter for one year, but it was too much work. Now they simply cruise and enjoy it themselves with friends and family.

They have done a fantastic job replicating how it originally looked in the 1930’s.

The galley was very large with plenty of room to prep.

They did have the lower level blocked off, but you will see on our next tour, what it possibly looks like.

Classic Yacht MY Linmar

After walking around the show, our last stop was MY Linmar. This 78′ yacht was built in 1932 by New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Co. in New York. The current owners recently purchased this boat after an extensive remodel due to an electrical fire. The work they have done on this yacht to bring it back to life is remarkable.

We were able to go down below and check out the guest staterooms. The current owners rent the yacht out as an air b & b – click here for rental info.

The dining room was one area that was spared from the fire.

When they did the restoration, they purposely left a bit of the char on the wall as a remembrance of the fire. Ironically, they store the fire extinguisher right next to it.

If you want more information on all of the classic yachts we saw, be sure to visit their website at https://classicyacht.org/search/node. Who did we vote for? Watch our video to find out – link at the bottom.

As always, thank you for following our journey. Please subscribe to our blog and vlog to stay updated as we search for our liveaboard. You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney and #BoatingJourney. Next week, we’ll take you on a tour of a Bayliner 4587! See you next time!

Cheers, Scott and Ally

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Tour a 2004 Meridian Pilothouse Motoryacht

Meridian 490

Finally after a few years touring boats, Scott and I toured our first 490 Meridian Pilothouse. I had been told it was in pristine condition and I was still surprised how great it looked. I only took a few photos for this week’s blog, so be sure to check out our YouTube episode (link at the bottom of this blog) for an up close tour.

This is a consignment listing at Union Marine and though it is out of our budget, we still wanted to check it out. Remember, that the larger Bayliner yachts actually became Meridian. In fact, our 2002 Bayliner 4087 was the last year that model was a Bayliner. In 2003 it became the Meridian 411. Same happened with the Bayliner 4788, which became the Meridian 490. With that said, it was remarkable how similar the two yachts are. Check out our 4788 tour from a few months ago.

This yacht has plenty of space at the stern to hang out or go fishing. It also had lots of extra storage and two large lazarettes.

Meticulous Care

It is obvious when you walk into the salon how well maintained the boat has been kept. Not only did it look fantastic, but it smelled great too! That’s not normal for a 17 year old boat!

The galley was nice and spacious with plenty of counter space and storage. Not only did it come with a HUGE microwave, but it also came with a trash compactor! It has the same Princess stovetop/oven and fridge we had on the 4087.

Ready for Entertaining

This yacht is ready to cruise and entertain guests. The owners have decorated it beautifully and the salon has plenty of entertainment space.

Heading up to the inside helm station, there’s more space to invite your guests to enjoy the cruise. The captain’s chair looks brand new and VERY expensive! We loved how easily you can see everything from the dash to the bow with plenty of visibility.

Meridian 490 Outdoor Space

There are two pilothouse doors in the helm station that lead out to a large walk around. The railings are high and very sturdy; allowing for paddle board storage.

Up on the fly bridge, they had canvas covers for all of the seats, dinghy and grill. The canvas on this Meridian 490 looks brand new too. Our only caveat for any boat we buy, is we do want a full enclosure for the fly bridge. You could easily add Eisenglass to this canvas though.

Could We Live in the Staterooms?

As I mentioned earlier, the Meridian 490 is basically the Bayliner 4788 and this model comes with an island berth in the forward cabin. With me only being 5’3″, it’s difficult for me (and my bad back!) to climb into this bed on a daily basis.

However, the master stateroom came with an enormous amount of storage! You could easily store all of your clothes and then some on this yacht. This yacht also has the bath tub in the master head, which I would never use. In fact, I worry that I would kill myself climbing in and out of the shower! LOL

This Meridian 490 does have two other staterooms, including bunks and a double size bed.

Plus it comes with a washer and dryer, which is located in the hall way. That’s a great feature, compared to some that have them tucked away in the corner of the master stateroom and a must for any liveaboard for us.

This Meridian 490 is equipped with two 330hp Cummins diesel engines with only 650 hours! Wow! The engine room was spotless and the cleanest engine room we have ever seen.

Be sure to watch the full tour below on our YouTube channel. This boat is ready for cruising and fantastic for the Pacific Northwest. We’re glad we toured it, but we’re still holding out for an aft cabin. As always, thank you for following our journey! Follow us on social on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @BoatingJourney.

Next week we head to the Classic Yacht Show, so come along. Cheers, Scott and Ally

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1909 MV Lotus Edwardian Cruising Houseboat

MV Lotus

Last month, Scott and I had the pleasure of touring a 1909 Edwardian Cruising Houseboat on Lake Union, the MV Lotus thanks to our tour guide and volunteer Scott. This vessel was originally built by Mosquito Fleet builder (see our blog about the Mosquito fleet here). At 92′ long, MV Lotus was commissioned by wealthy Seattle lawyer Maurice McMicken in 1909. She remained in the McMicken family until shortly after World War II.

During the period leading up to the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, she was used as a floating lodge on Lake Union for visitors. Subsequently, she was again operated as a private yacht by the Gruye family, cruising back and forth to Alaska. She now belongs to a non-profit foundation dedicated to maintaining and sharing her history, and is once again operating as a floating lodge in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. (per MV Lotus organization).

It was the largest private yacht on the West Coast when she was built, and was constructed with all the latest amenities of the time: electric lighting, a state-of-the-art intercom system, and a gas distillate engine. Currently the boat is maintained by the MV Lotus Foundation and is available for overnight stays. It does not currently leave the dock, but it has in recent years.

The Tour Begins

Upon entering the vessel, you are taken back in time and into a lavish salon. The custom fireplace still works and the furnishings are almost all original or similar to the original. The original china for MV Lotus is still kept in the china cabinet, along with many old photographs and books.

The fixtures are all custom made and many are from Tiffany’s.

Maurice McMicken was not only an avid hunter, but he was a bit eccentric when it came to obtaining things he wanted. For example, he had a beautiful custom desk built, featuring a beaver on the lid. This piece of wood, actually came from the HBC Str Beaver 1836 after it wrecked. The Beaver was a steamship originally owned and operated by the Hudson’s Bay Company and served the remote parts of the West Coast and Canada. McMicken also had a painting of the steamship in the salon.

Sleeping quarters

There are three sleeping quarters, including the master stateroom. Each room has a sink that hot water can be poured into. When not in use, it’s tethered to the wall in some rooms.

The guest rooms, have a shared bathroom that has been updated with a shower.

Moving down the hall, you will find the master stateroom. Even for 1909, this room was very large and lavish. Notice the claw foot tub – on a boat!! Can you imagine filling that with hot water?

The MV Lotus was outfitted with an intercom system throughout the vessel. This was very high tech back in 1909.

Upstairs to the bridge and entertainment deck

From the master stateroom, you head upstairs and enter the bridge. Keep in mind, this boat traveled regularly up to Alaska and then through the San Juan Islands and around Puget Sound. Imagine having no electronics or GPS? All they had were paper charts, a compass and wheel.

Outside of the wheelhouse, you can see the original “brand” in the doorway threshold.

Remodeling the Upper Deck

Currently, the MV Lotus is under construction as they make repairs and minor changes to the upper deck. Normally, this is the place to hang out, enjoy the vistas and a cocktail or two.

Notice in the photo below, where the yellow arrow is pointing. This “base” is actually the soffit down the salon, allowing light in. Now that’s pretty creative!

When the MV Lotus is rented, the upper deck is used for dining and outdoor parties.

Check out the Galley

The volunteers on the boat, do provide some food and beverage service to customers. Typically a small breakfast, coffee and tea are provided to overnight guests. The galley still has the original stovetop plus they have added a newer model. Notice all of the cups are pointed in the same direction inward hanging from the ceiling. We were told that this keeps all of the good luck inside the boat and prevents anything from going overboard.

Best view on the lake

While the MV Lotus no longer cruises, it still offers the best view on Lake Union. As a venue or a weekend getaway, this is the perfect destination. Be sure to check out their website and come down and take a tour. The tours are free, however, the boat is supported by a staff of volunteers and a non-profit organization. Any donations, are surely welcomed.

As always, thank you for following our blog and YouTube channel. See the full tour in the YouTube link below. Be sure to follow us on social @BoatingJourney and use the hashtag #boatingjourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally