Thunderbird is a 1939 Hacker-Craft yacht—and in our opinion, one of the most beautiful boats ever built. Commissioned by George Whittell Jr., a wealthy heir and adventurer, the 55-foot vessel was crafted by John L. Hacker and Huskins Boat Works. Its design drew inspiration from the fuselage of a Douglas DC-2 and the sleek lines of Duesenberg cars. Equipped with 550-horsepower Kermath V-12 engines, Thunderbird could exceed 50 knots. After Whittell’s death, the yacht was sold to casino magnate William Harrah, who upgraded her with dual 1,100-horsepower Allison V-12 aircraft engines, enabling speeds over 60 knots. Today, she’s preserved by Tahoe’s Thunderbird Foundation, and she remains a testament to wooden boat craftsmanship. Cruises aboard her can even be arranged from Whittell’s original lakeside estate.
Outer Reef’s Adventure 540
Fresh on the heels of Outer Reef’s Adventure 780 announcement,
