The Thunderbird at Lake Tahoe 

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.

I been a Big fan of Thunderbird long before RU-vid! 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!

I have to say that is one BEAUTIFUL boat!

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!

That is one beautiful boat!

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?

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

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

That is one Elegant craft.

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

A thing of beauty .

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

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.

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.

WOW! Beautiful! :)

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...

Stunning old lady that

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

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

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

Any footage of it running above idle?

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

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

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

Why do you describe her as "infamous"?

2200 horsepower and it does 3kts.

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

cool art deco styling

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

Now twin turbo each one on leaded race fuel

wow it lasted this long and not forgoten

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!

beauty

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

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

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

A rum runner for sure....

Should have called it Braggadocio

sure you do your mean!

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

how pointless to do one circle with throttle at idle

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

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

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

All that and no one wearing life preserver Shame shame

does it make you feel special to lie?

Gun the F'n thing, would you please.

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.

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

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

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

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

You just have.

Wealthy people do weird things with their money.

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

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

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