Bellingham harbors Golden Rose
Classic yacht now better than new

by Christopher Key

 

It was one of those winters back in the 80s when the northwest got so much snow that the weight of it collapsed a boathouse on top of a classic wooden-hulled Chris-Craft motor yacht. The owner was so heartbroken over this turn of events that he moved to Mississippi.

An insurance company salvaged the remains of the yacht and it eventually ended up in the old Wellcraft Boatyard here in Bellingham. When Wellcraft went out of business, the Port of Bellingham inherited the hull along with several others.

As the port was cleaning up the site and about to demolish the old hull, Terry Buzzard of Island Mariner Cruises happened by. He asked the workers to hold off on the demolition while he called the port. Soon, he owned an empty shell of a classic yacht. Sailors are sentimental about such things.

Buzzard’s original intention was to use the inverted hull as a maritime inspired shelter where customers could relax while waiting for their cruise to depart. The port scuttled that plan and Buzzard had to regroup.

Two and a half years and more than 20,000 person-hours later, the Golden Rose made her debut as a completely redesigned vessel. The born again yacht is patterned after the classic Venetian water taxi and is available for charter to small groups desiring the ultimate in luxury cruising.

Island Mariner will be partnering with Emerald Bay Events to provide top-of-the-line catering and perhaps some small murder mystery cruises. The Golden Rose also lends itself to small business meetings where privacy is of utmost importance. The design provides for the crew to be completely isolated from the passengers, if necessary.

At 40’, the vessel is licensed by the Coast Guard for 28 passengers, although Island Mariner recommends groups of no more that 16 to 18. Those lucky few will be treated to an experience that is increasingly rare in this day of fiberglass and steel.

Rare, almost unobtainable woods are everywhere: mahogany, ironbark, pernambuco, white oak. The wood gleams with 24 to 35 coats of varnish.

Everything, right down to the Danforth anchor, has been 24k gold plated. Lettering, art work, and deck striping is 23k German gold leaf, 375 sheets of it. The cabin windows are amber tinted glass with etched roses. Complete dinner service for 30 includes gold trimmed wine and cocktail glasses, 24k gold flatware and gold trimmed plates.

Interior seating is covered in matched New Zealand hides and the entertainment equipment is raised and lowered from view with an electric hoist. That equipment includes color TV and VCR, AM/FM tuner with CD and cassette player and a 12 speaker sound system.

If you’re beginning to get the idea that no expense was spared in rebuilding this yacht, you’re right on the money, so to speak. Buzzard won’t talk figures. The dedication to excellence extends far beyond the cosmetics.

The Golden Rose is powered by twin Caterpillar V-8 diesels that give her a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots. A 5 Kw generator set provides electricity. The engine room is fully sound insulated and is protected by the latest fire suppression technology. All the latest electronic navigation instruments grace the bridge.

There is a booming market in Seattle for small luxury charters, but Bellingham remains uncharted waters. Buzzard hopes that a demand for such services will surface here.

There is little doubt that the Golden Rose offers a unique experience for those seeking an unusual venue for weddings, receptions, dinner or cocktail parties, or just cruising the San Juans.

You can almost visualize Clark Gable and Carole Lombard sipping champagne on the afterdeck.