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After decades of trying to restore the Fintry Queen as a touring vessel on Okanagan Lake, owner Andy Schwab says it's time for someone else to take the helm.
The 77-year-old ship is for sale with a price tag of $550,000.
Owner Andy Schwab would love it if someone tried to fulfil his dream of getting it to carry people around the lake again.
"To create that ferry service and make that happen or you could turn it into a floating restaurant," he suggested.
Photo credit: NowMedia
"I believe it would be a great addition for the yacht club to have a base out on the lake."
An advertisement on Facebook Marketplace describes the Fintry Queen describes the old boat's "spacious decks" and "charming interior", suggesting it could be converted into a nightclub or even an off-grid living space.
"You could have a helicopter on the back deck and a 9,000 sq. ft. home with the best view of the Okanagan.
@swzewrld The cooslest thing to own in the okanagan. The fintry queen is for sale. The listing price is 550k cad. This is priced to move and is a steal. Camswais@gmail.com #fintryqueen #boatsgonewild #boatsoftiktok #bigboats #okanagan #okanaganlife #okanagandaily #forsale #ship #boatshow ♬ Intergalactic Janet - Ley Soul
And Schwab says they're seeing some interest.
"We are, we're getting a lot of interest," he said. "From all kinds of different diverse groups so you never know what it could be."
It needs a paint job, but Schwab says it's otherwise in good condition.
"Mechanically it's like brand new," he said.
The Fintry Queen was first launched in 1948 as the M.V. Lequime which operated as a ferry linking Kelowna to the west side of the lake.
Photo credit: Old Kelowna
The vessel was retired from service with the opening of the Okanagan Lake Floating Bridge in 1958.
But the 40-metre-long, 325-passenger vessel would take on a new role in the 1960s.
It was remodelled in the style of a paddle-wheeler and operated as a tour boat and restaurant for decades.
Photo credit: Old Kelowna
"This Fintry Queen is one of the most historic, oldest tourist attractions in the Okanagan," said Schwab.
"We used to go for an hour and a half or so on a standard cruise, and once a week we would go under the bridge."
And it wasn't just tourists climbing aboard.
"We did weddings and banquets, conferences and business groups," Schwab said.
But regulatory issues got in the way and the service was suspended after the 2008 season.
Photo credit: Old Kelowna
For many years Schwab tried to drum up enough interest to get the Fintry Queen active again, but problems emerged getting access to shorelines that tend to be public parks.
"As a commercial operator, it's very difficult to convince the cities that you need to get in there," said Schwab.
For the last few years, the vessel has been moored near Vernon.
Photo credit: Contributed
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