This is a very rare 1916 Lawley 37ft Vee Bottom Launch.

Miami is an historical boat that was custom built by Lawley for Carl Fisher. Mr. Fisher was an American Entrepreneur and among many other things the main real estate developer of Miami Beach. Fisher needed a comfortable fast cruiser for his new playground and turned to the Lawley Boat Company to build him his custom boat.

Miami was used in Florida and her name is a tribute to that history. Carl Fisher then sold it and shipped it to Michigan where it was used and loved for many years. The Michigan owner knew that a full restoration was due, but the cost prohibited him from proceeding. In 1986, Sierra Boat’s manager Dick Clark was shown Miami during one of his annual boat hunting trips and immediately recognized Miami as a boat worthy of a good home and a proper restoration. Miami arrived at Sierra Boat in 1987 and sat until 1990 when her current owner purchased the boat and set about formulating a restoration plan.

The restoration project took the approach that all visible details would be as faithful as possible, but the powerplant and mechanical systems would be modern. Considering its age at the time, Miami was in remarkable shape. The restoration project started with the hull and continued with the cabin and complete deck replacement. The engine was replaced with a Chrysler 440 V8 to give it the performance needed in Lake Tahoe’s altitude. Miami made her first sea trial on Tahoe in the fall of 1995. In the summer of 1996, she was honored with the best professional restoration award at the Tahoe Concours d’Elegance.

Miami has been stored and maintained by Sierra Boat since its Tahoe Arrival in 1987. The boat received a brand new cold molded bottom completed in the spring of 2011. All annual maintenance has been kept up with corresponding records. Miami is birthed for the summer months in a slip at Sierra Boat.

In 1997, Classic Boating did an extensive article on Miami’s history and her 1990-1995 restoration project. Please see the pictures for the scanned version of the article as it goes into great detail. Miami is truly a one of a kind historical boat that is ready for the next chapter of her life!

For the company history of Lawley & Sons, please click on the link: http://classicsailboats.org/george-lawley-son/

• ID: MIAMI
• Year: 1916
• Builder: Lawley
• Model: Vee Bottom Launch
• Length: 37ft
• Engine: Chrysler 440, 330 hp
• Trailer: None
• Price: $150,000.00