Crank It Up Big Boy!
Big Boy running makes my day!
Thanks again to fellow Woody Boater Steve Natale for sharring the insane V12 power 28′ triple cockpit, 1937 Gar Wood “Big Boy” filmed at the 2015 South Tahoe Wooden Boat Classic. Model number 746, the only model 746 ever produced. Powered by a massive 894 cu. inch, 316 hp Scripps Model 302 V-12 capable of cruising up 47 mph. Cost new in 1937: $7,720 So Crank it up feel the power. Dang!
I think I saw that boat about 20 years ago at a small Michigan boat show on Sylvan Lake. It was at that time owned by a northern Michigan resident. I am wondering if it is, in fact, the same boat, and how it made its way to Lake Tahoe. Anyone know the history?
She sure is beautiful…. and has a similar turning radius to the USS IOWA 🙂
Big Boy previous name was America, restored by the late Dave Wright (Fallbrook, Ca) and was sold to Jim and Linda Gordon (Palos Verdes, Ca). A few years ago the boat received an extensive reconstruction by Sierra Boat Co. And won overall best of show at the Tahoe Concourse. Sorry I do not know the current owner. She is quite somthing.
you know, i am watching the video and i start thinking , that thing must be hard to drive around the docks. the length of it and steering from the tail.
i mainly sail in the summer, and have a 40 foot sail boat, this boat pivots on its keel, and turns sharp (the rudder is about 4 feet). when i get into my woody, i sometimes forget that im steering from the rear and have some close calls. if i had that boat i think id be hitting the docks alot!!
mike
I too sail but in Stars and Tempests which yes turn on a dime. My Gar Wood never gives me trouble unless the dock people want me to dock on the port side. I can turn the Gar on a dime to port but not to starboard: Propwalking the boat to the dock is easy, otherwise live in a counterclockwise world.
Gotta love those Scripps!
Why does it always seem that when someone make s a video and you want to hear the engine sound. There is always some offputing music that covers it up? Very nice boat though,
Lovely, what a boat!
We’re actually gettin to Lake Tahoe later this day, are there any boats there now and to Friday?