The Carol M., a vessel designed by the famed Ed. Monk, was built in 1948 by Grandy boat builders right on Lake Union, where she lives today. She was originally launched as the Enchantress, thus giving us the name for our business. I renamed her after my wife and partner, Dr. Carol Radlo. It is really she who has given me this opportunity to act as caretaker and business owner of this beautiful boat.
The Carol M. is a forty-foot wooden cruiser, that we have spent many, many hours restoring, and I am continually learning she will never be finished. That being said, she is beautiful, and has been entirely refastened, with most of a new bottom and one third of the keel replaced. A few years ago a new diesel Isuzu engine was installed, all new electrical, new head, new galley, and new bridge deck top with full canvas.
Our goal from the beginning was to turn her into a commercial cruising vessel, offering wonderful food on the waterways in and around Seattle. With my background as a chef, and previous owner of a high-end dinner restaurant, it seemed a natural thing to do, and with that in mind we began the restoration. This began a wonderful, fulfilling, venture as caretaker and manager of an old classic. I had no real appreciation or knowledge for the amount of time, hard work, or money it would take for the restoration of an old classic, nor did I realize the measure of just how satisfying and fulfilling a project like this would turn out to be.
– Mark Lanfear