The Thunderbird at Lake Tahoe

The infamous Thunderbird launching and landing a Saturday cruise during its 71st birthday month. Built for George Whittell, Designed by John L. Hacker, built by Huskins Boat Works in Bay City, Michigan. Check out www.thunderbirdlodge.org/theboat for a worthwhile read on the boats history.

[@Animationforautism]

Just so you know - it gets 5 gallons to the mile at idle speeds, under 2000 rpm. The fuel supply is at Tahoe City so it costs approximately $300 to make the round trip from the Thunderbird Lodge to the TC Marina and back, running at about 25 knots. Of course, once she is back on the lake, we're accepting bookings, and you can "pay to play!" At about the 4500-5000 rpm the aircraft engines' superchargers kick in, and it's been tested to about 60 knots (70 mph) on Tahoe. It's been a long while for this elderly lady, who turned 75 last month.

[@Nahngunnarson]

Allison engine at 5,000 rpm??

[@JohnMaxGriffin]

@@NahngunnarsonYeah, no. More Like 3000 rpm on the high end

[@goropeza101]

I been a Big fan of Thunderbird long before KZbin! She graced the cover of many boating magazines and was called *The gentlemans PT boat*! Whats amazing is that she's fast even by today's standards . . . . 72mph!

[@Dilberto88]

It sounds just like the legendary P-38 Lightning at full throttle. I head it loud and clear, while biking up the Flume Trail, last week!

[@vladpootin5973]

So magnificent, classic American style, class, elegance, ingenuity and power,

[@bob9802]

I have to say that is one BEAUTIFUL boat!

[@Mr91495osh]

That’s a load of passengers. No need for speed, the journey is the desert. Glad he treats the ole lady with such respect. GlennFHoward

[@jim9337]

That is one Elegant craft.

[@paullangford8179]

Is there any footage of this boat going at more than idle? What's the use of two 1100 HP engines that just soot up?

[@framfull]

That busload of people must be really exited for the ride! If you like idle speed backwards that is.

[@theav8rs45]

That is one beautiful boat!

[@joevald3]

A thing of beauty .

[@johnnydavis8351]

no bullshit. ...the prettiest and sexy boat I truly have ever seen 😯😯😯😯😯😯

[@TechnikMeister2]

I've never actually seen it on the plane. He just idles it around using one engine, like he's afraid it will wear out. Those allisons need to be run at 2800rpm regularly to burn off gum deposits and carbon or it will need another motor overhaul sooner that expected.

[@kevinhoffman6592]

Maybe he uses seafoam

[@Beemerboy324]

2200 horsepower and it does 3kts.

[@dhy5342]

it will do, and has done, 70 MPH.

[@Beemerboy324]

Either way, it's one of the most beautiful craft I have seen.

[@Kevin-hn6wp]

Those motors were built to run long and hard . She should go around the lake at least once a week full throttle .

[@timbarnes3581]

Great boat, but guess they couldn't afford the gas to throttle up. All show no go?

[@nickbouvy8851]

Any footage of it running above idle?

[@stephendartnall8928]

Might as well put an Evinrude 25 on the back...........open it up geezer,I'll give you a few bucks for gas!!!

[@fakiirification]

drat, it took 5 months, but someone finally saw through me! bravo good sir! bravo! ::claps::

[@DesertDigger1]

Is the fishing good at Lake Tahoe and what kind of fish are in the lake?

[@13spdRoadranger]

WOW! Beautiful! :)

[@rollingthunder277]

Nice, but it would have been nice to see the boat at more than idle.

[@mrfarmerjimbob]

How fast is that gorgeous boat? Do they ever wind those delicious Allisons up to full power?? I'd love to hear it flat out...

[@mrcengr]

70 mph

[@fakiirification]

a friend of my second cousins uncles mothers father used to fly spaceshuttles to mars and back on a regular basis. you don't see me bragging about it!

[@chiswolfenden2400]

Stunning old lady that

[@johnbecay3686]

cool art deco styling

[@Squarerig]

What is her fuel consumption per hour at full bore?Lovely craft!

[@Blablablabla1ify]

Squarerig 2 x Allison V12s at 28L/1,700ci. So probably a lot!

[@roadrunner8428]

Why brag it has 1100 hp engines if you're not going to throttle them up. Waste of three minutes to me.

[@dhy5342]

Why do you describe her as "infamous"?

[@kevinowens5010]

my dad's dad Owen Owens used to own that boat but we had to sell it for $80'000 dollars my dad told me that and we saw it at the boat show in lake Tahoe and its close to another boa that we own its called miss catalina vi

[@robertbawden1702]

why didn't he get up it? a bit scared it will fall to bits

[@erikluyten2070]

wow it lasted this long and not forgoten

[@calvinh.8882]

I think they spent like 4-5 years restoring it.. And it is awesome!! I wonder what it's worth?

[@WreckedDixie]

Uh... did that woman actually say "O M to the G"? At this point you turn off the camera and walk away. Forever. That woman can find her own way home to discover her all shit out in the yard. I wish there was a way to slap the piss out of someone through the internet

[@nathanielnzl]

I have a 22ft double ender sailboat designed by John L. Hacker

[@leebeast5285]

Poor boat dying to be opened up. So much for freedom in America.

[@kevinowens6908]

sure you do your mean!

[@rcowner153]

The other boats are bobing up and down so much compared to the thunderbird lol

[@63256325N]

A rum runner for sure....

[@Chocktawkid]

All that and no one wearing life preserver Shame shame

[@charleswheatley3897]

Ho hum.......thats it?

[@scottgibson6735]

tom Hancock Perhaps,they can swim.? Idon’t wear alife preserver in good conditions,either

[@DozerM5]

Now twin turbo each one on leaded race fuel

[@Dandelur]

how pointless to do one circle with throttle at idle

[@skammer2007]

beauty

[@josephinebennington7247]

Should have called it Braggadocio

[@dantuohy6820]

jesus christ.... give it some throttle im bored!!

[@southjerseysound7340]

+Dan Tuohy While I agree,If you knew what it cost to rebuild one of those engines you'd take it easy on them too.Even ran easy in a boat like this I wouldn't expect more than 700-1000 hours.Then there is the cost of 110 ll av gas that is at least $6 a gallon or more when you can find it.

[@calvinh.8882]

There's another video where a guy says they took it across the lake to a show, and they was moving at 27 knots.. All i know is it's awesome!! And i wonder what it's worth?

[@calvinh.8882]

A guy said it gets 5 gallons to the mile at idle speeds, under 2000 rpm. and it's been tested to about 60 knots (70 mph) on Tahoe. and at the 4500-5000 rpm the aircraft engines' superchargers kick in, and it cost them about $300 to make the round trip from the Thunderbird Lodge to the TC Marina and back running around 25 knots.. lol..

[@southjerseysound7340]

I cant imagine what its truly worth but the engines are worth a fortune and cost a fortune to run.Besides the fuel you have to factor in maintenance or rebuild costs into your hourly costs.But hey history is priceless when it comes to something like this.Luckily Roush Racing started Roush Aviation and is now manufacturing replacement parts for them these days and while they are still expensive they have really helped to bring the operation costs down.

[@dhy5342]

No superchargers on these engines.

[@hiyohija]

does it make you feel special to lie?

[@johnstreet797]

Serving drinks onboard, no one wearing PFD's, hmmm

[@edvanderslice9726]

I remember I had to take a poop when we took a ride on this boat. My wife was so embarrassed, I forgot to wear my depend briefs . Someone even vomited 🤢 over the side. I have to admit it really was disgusting. Poop was everywhere.

[@boathousejoed9005]

Don't want to see that flag dragging in the water.

[@mr112254]

Gun the F'n thing, would you please.

[@louisv.palermo1195]

.......designed by the founding father of our company !

[@KeeperofTheMountain]

You can charter it for about $600.00 an hour. Sure is a Purdy boat.

[@campervanbug7658]

In a heartbeat I'd do it

[@leebeast5285]

You just have.

[@chrisnewman6047]

i know where there are homeless war vets that need food....

[@dgriffin6074]

Shame on them for letting the flag drag in the water!!

[@timmayer8723]

Wealthy people do weird things with their money.

[@nofishtoday]

You can’t see crap when you’re driving that boat

[@gjesch]

Just so you know - it gets 5 gallons to the mile at idle speeds, under 2000 rpm. The fuel supply is at Tahoe City so it costs approximately $300 to make the round trip from the Thunderbird Lodge to the TC Marina and back, running at about 25 knots. Of course, once she is back on the lake, we're accepting bookings, and you can "pay to play!" At about the 4500-5000 rpm the aircraft engines' superchargers kick in, and it's been tested to about 60 knots (70 mph) on Tahoe. It's been a long while for this elderly lady, who turned 75 last month.