Burger Boat to build 1920’s style boat for Chicago

Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wis., recently signed a contract to build 350-passenger, 98 ft passenger vessel for Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, Chicago, Ill.

To be called Chicago’s Leading Lady, the steel-hulled vessel will be styled after the 1920s luxury cruising yachts such as the former Presidential yacht Sequoia.  Chicago’s First Lady Cruises will use the vessel for upscale private parties, wedding rehearsal dinners and corporate events, as well as, serve as an official vessel for the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise.

Chicago’s First Lady Cruises currently has a fleet of four vessels that includes the 225-passenger Chicago’s First Lady, 125-passenger Chicago’s Fair Lady, 100-passenger Chicago’s Little Lady and the wooden yacht Lady Grebe.

The new vessel, shown in the outboard profile drawing, was designed by Seacraft Design LLC, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and will be built at Burger Boat Company’s Manitowoc, Wis., shipyard. 

Propulsion power for Chicago’s Leading Lady will be provided by two Caterpillar C12 diesel engines  with ZF gearboxes. Th vessel will also have two Caterpillar C4.4 generators. This vessel is designed to carry a maximum of 350 passengers and will be certified USCG Subchapter K.  The interior spaces will be climate controlled via a central chiller with remote air handler units and decorated in mahogany toned paneling and brass accents.  Upholstered chairs at round tables will be positioned near large arched windows, providing all passengers with a panoramic view of Chicago’s skyline.

February 2, 2011