This blog is dedicated  to the 1928 motor yacht “Lotte” coming into the Romero family in Johnson, Vermont.   At the outset, we are at once astonished, delighted, terrified and feeling a bit like the puppy that caught the car.   It is our hope that you will add comments and thoughts, prose and poetry and, especially if you actually have experience in the world of classic yachts, advice about how to proceed.   This is likely to be quite a ride.   Please join us.

In September of this year (’07) I ran across a ship model in the Wooden Boat Store catalog of a “Lake Union Dreamboat”.  Although I am an experienced (east coast) sailor I have never seen its like:   Long and lean, sleek classic lines and a greenhouse of a wheelhouse.   Lordy ... What is THIS?

Googled Lake Union Dreamboat and up popped Lotte.   For sale, in the water at Marina del Rey in LA, at a very reasonable price.   I called for information, discussed it with Casey (my MUCH better half) and after a month of this we hopped on a plane and had a look.   After a survey (more about this another time), a sea trial and fiscal negotiation, checks were written.   

Much needs to be done to counteract the five years of neglect,  but she has good bones and a low-hour engine:   everything else will take time and energy and perhaps some expense,but I am confident we’ll have a fine ride for Lake Champlain starting this summer (08).   We’ll tend to the important bits first, although it will be a trial to expend resources on stuff you can’t see or immediately enjoy.   (I’m told this is what builds character)

So let me introduce to the motor yacht “Lotte”.

Built in 1928 at the Lake Union Drydock (LUD) in Seattle, WA

Originally 40’ LOA, 11’-6” beam, 3’-0” draft.

Displacement: 34,000 lbs

The original design was altered from the standard type right from the start as the owner had the wheelhouse lengthened (forward) a few feet.   A few years later, he had LUD lengthen her hull (aft) 8 feet and the resulting cockpit was covered with windows forward and down toward aft a bit.  These alterations make her a truly unique vessel. 

Power is a 1980’s vintage Detroit 4-71 with low hours on a recent rebuild.

It is our philosophy to keep her exterior looking as original as is practical.   The interior will likely see some radical changes as the lack of berths and such make her impractical for our plans.

Within 3 seasons, I expect she will be Bristol thruout.   I look at this entire restoration project as a privilege.

It is our plan to ship her east to the Burlington, VT area in May and to sail Lake Champlain this summer.   Future summers will see us on the New York State canal system, the Hudson to NYC and Long Island Sound,  downeast to Muscongus Bay and in later years South out of the snow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Howard Romero