Tahoe tour boat extracted from lake
The Woodwind II at Zephyr Cove on Jan. 6 after being pulled from the rocks. Photo Copyright 2015 Carolyn E. Wright
The Woodwind II will no longer ply the waters of Lake Tahoe.
The severe windstorm on Dec. 11 dislodged the catamaran from its mooring at Zephyr Cove. For days it rested upon the rocks near the South Shore marina. Now it is in the parking lot at Cave Rock boat launch.
Tahoe Cruises, which operates this vessel and the Safari Rose, did not return phone calls.
According to the company’s website, the tour boat would carry up to 50 people between April 15-Oct. 15.
The low water level of Lake Tahoe and lack of dredging at marinas where it could be repaired meant the boat had to be extracted from the lake via a tow truck on Jan. 7.
Because the custom-built boat doesn’t fit on a trailer it will have to be destroyed and hauled away. The boat is 55-feet-long and 40-feet-wide.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
How sad…. I remember a wonderful sunset, champagne sail years ago, when it sailed from the Camp Richardson Marina.
Most unfortunate, that cat was a great ride on a windy evening.
This article may be a touch dire. The photo from the TDT shows an intact boat. http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/14545073-113/lake-tahoe-woodwind-damage
And the Woodwind II was never based at Camp Rich. The original Woodwind trimaran moved there after the Woodwind II (a catamaran) went into service.
Woodwind II was built and put into service before the original Woodwind was destroyed. Tears are flowing.
Sorry to hear of the Woodwinds demise. I was aboard once for a friends wedding. That sailboat lasted longer than the marriage! Too bad to see her go.
Maybe a Woodwind 3? Let’s hope so! OLS
it is a shame – the two Woodwinds were among the nicest things to do at the Lake – low key and just the right numbers on the boat for couples or slightly larger groups and local owned!
So sad. Many beautiful trips with visitors on that vessel.