50-Foot Catamaran Squeezes Through Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe

The Blue Zephyr, a 50-foot catamaran, just completed one of the more dramatic road trips you’ll hear about this year. It traveled from Richmond to South Lake Tahoe along Highway 50, a route that winds through the Sierra Nevada with tight turns, low-hanging trees, and not a lot of extra room. The specialized trailer used for the move actually tilted to provide extra clearance, and at some points, the crew had only two to four inches of space on either side of the boat.

Dan Wiley of DTS Pilot Car Service coordinated the haul and called it a super load, noting it was the biggest thing he’s dealt with on that highway. The journey wasn’t without its obstacles. A fire on Interstate 580 delayed the start, and construction in Placerville added more waiting time. But the crew pressed on, and the boat arrived undamaged and ready for its new life on the lake.

Sail Tahoe Blue, the company behind the catamaran, plans to start charter trips by the end of the month. That means locals and visitors will soon have a new way to experience South Lake Tahoe from the water. Have you ever seen something unusual being hauled through the Sierra, or are you planning to check out the Blue Zephyr once it starts running? Let us know what you think.