I had the opportunity to cruise on a majestic lake in a boat perfectly matched with its natural grandeur. Let me tell you the story…
A 1930 Gar Wood triple cockpit and her owner gave me a boating experience that can’t be matched. She was a 30' long precursor to cigarette boats--polished, buffed and varnished to a fine, piano-grade finish. Wood and water, well-synchronized on my classic tour of a contender for “top lake in the east” honors.
She was a great--a “wonderful and cushy; level over the water” ride, up on plane at about 17 mph thanks to the bottom work that her owner fine-tuned over a two-year period. With the comforting motor boat sound humming in the background, we toured along the lower basin of Lake George in upstate NY. The skipper then cranked it up, and the meaning of the word “speedboat” was real. I was alive as seldom one can be.
How often do we have the opportunity for such a signature experience? It would be impolite to ask, but I’d guess that this beauty was worth something in the lower six figures. All but an interior board or two of mahogany are original, back to 70-plus years ago--and every inch was lovingly restored over a half dozen years of careful and expert workmanship.
Today, after 12 years of ownership that included much hard work and tender care, the boat has a comfortable pristine shine that does not look over-restored. Rather, one’s impression is of a well-loved friend, very much at home on a lake of grand style.
The Sagamore Hotel and Spa Resort was first constructed in 1883, and instantly became the crown property on Lake George. Here you can see it through the windshield of the Gar Wood. Today’s hotel is the third construction, since the previous two were lost to fires. In addition to signature fine-dining in its Trillium bis, the Sagamore has a variety of restaurants on the property. But our favorite is the Veranda--a glass-enclosed porch reminiscent of a grand Victorian greenhouse. In addition to serving cocktails and light fare--including tasty burgers!--they often offer live entertainment. In warm weather, Veranda dining extends outside onto a patio with a grand vista of the lake and the wonderful grounds.
Slightly south of the Sagamore, this boat house with its arch bridge connecting the two ends is my favorite.
Here’s another wonderful property with lots of trees and great views over the lake.
This island--called “Three Brothers”--was purchased for $2,500 in 1906. The owner aligned himself early on with Thomas Edison. He was a banker and ran NY Edison. He and his wife, Katrina, tied three islands together and built a home and boat house as a bridge over them. A sale record in 1950 showed a purchase price of $38,000!
This photo shows a boat house with the owner’s Cobalt and canoe ready for family fun.
Stay tuned for more on Lake George in another installment…
A 1930 Gar Wood triple cockpit and her owner gave me a boating experience that can’t be matched. She was a 30' long precursor to cigarette boats--polished, buffed and varnished to a fine, piano-grade finish. Wood and water, well-synchronized on my classic tour of a contender for “top lake in the east” honors.
She was a great--a “wonderful and cushy; level over the water” ride, up on plane at about 17 mph thanks to the bottom work that her owner fine-tuned over a two-year period. With the comforting motor boat sound humming in the background, we toured along the lower basin of Lake George in upstate NY. The skipper then cranked it up, and the meaning of the word “speedboat” was real. I was alive as seldom one can be.
How often do we have the opportunity for such a signature experience? It would be impolite to ask, but I’d guess that this beauty was worth something in the lower six figures. All but an interior board or two of mahogany are original, back to 70-plus years ago--and every inch was lovingly restored over a half dozen years of careful and expert workmanship.
Today, after 12 years of ownership that included much hard work and tender care, the boat has a comfortable pristine shine that does not look over-restored. Rather, one’s impression is of a well-loved friend, very much at home on a lake of grand style.
The Sagamore Hotel and Spa Resort was first constructed in 1883, and instantly became the crown property on Lake George. Here you can see it through the windshield of the Gar Wood. Today’s hotel is the third construction, since the previous two were lost to fires. In addition to signature fine-dining in its Trillium bis, the Sagamore has a variety of restaurants on the property. But our favorite is the Veranda--a glass-enclosed porch reminiscent of a grand Victorian greenhouse. In addition to serving cocktails and light fare--including tasty burgers!--they often offer live entertainment. In warm weather, Veranda dining extends outside onto a patio with a grand vista of the lake and the wonderful grounds.
Slightly south of the Sagamore, this boat house with its arch bridge connecting the two ends is my favorite.
Here’s another wonderful property with lots of trees and great views over the lake.
This island--called “Three Brothers”--was purchased for $2,500 in 1906. The owner aligned himself early on with Thomas Edison. He was a banker and ran NY Edison. He and his wife, Katrina, tied three islands together and built a home and boat house as a bridge over them. A sale record in 1950 showed a purchase price of $38,000!
This photo shows a boat house with the owner’s Cobalt and canoe ready for family fun.
Stay tuned for more on Lake George in another installment…
