The Dowager underway in the Cayuga Lake Inlet, showcasing its classic lines and the aft deck, a much-loved area for relaxing and chatting while underway.

The Dowager and the Mary Nann II, a 37’ 1929 Matthews, motoring north together on Cayuga Lake. The Mary Nann II was slightly taller but a foot shorter than the Dowager, which reflected Matthews’ ongoing refinements in cruiser design.

The Dowager sits in its covered moorage at Cayuga Wooden Boatworks, where it was restored and maintained for over two decades. The name and home port are gilded in gold leaf, protected beneath 32 coats of varnish.

The aft cabin offers a cozy retreat with twin settees that convert into bunks, providing sleeping for four. Mahogany paneling door is to a storage locker. The steps lead forward into the galley hallway.

The forward cabin berth is heavenly for an afternoon nap while cruising. When you stop to swim, this cabin is also perfect for folks to change into their bathing suits.

Dowager’s forward cabin serves as a comfortable reading nook and dressing area. Alongside the bunk (not shown), it features a built-in settee, a mahogany dresser, and the original beveled glass mirror.

The Dowager’s galley is designed for efficiency, with a propane stove, stainless steel sink, and storage. Compact yet practical, everything is within easy reach—ideal for cooking in a steady, secure space.

This hallway runs along the port side of the Dowager, curving with the hull. The linoleum flooring is a faithful reproduction of the 1931 pattern, carefully matched to preserve the boat’s original character. The doors on the starboard side lead to the galley and head.

One of the Dowager’s two original Wilcox-Crittendon bronze and porcelain heads, restored in 2002. Classic brass fixtures include a hand shower and a porcelain sink. Both heads on board were refitted with 20-gallon holding tanks and a hot water system.

The starboard-side of the helm station during its custom rebuild. The electrical system was modernized to meet current standards, while the helm’s electrical panel remains cleverly concealed to preserve the yacht’s 1931 aesthetic.

The Dowager’s helm station retains its original charm, featuring a Danforth Constellation Compass in a brass binnacle, well-labeled controls, and a varnished mahogany wheel. A refrigerator is concealed beneath the cushioned bench.

The Dowager’s 100HP Westerbeke 6-cylinder diesel engine, installed beneath the helm with a modernized electrical system. Neatly routed wiring and accessible panels ensure reliability and easy maintenance.

A remarkable transformation—on the left, the Dowager’s keel before restoration; on the right, the reinforced engine bed with new structural supports. Strengthening the keel and engine bed was critical to preserving the yacht’s integrity for decades to come.

With the transom removed, the Dowager’s stern is fully open, revealing its internal framework. Temporary supports keep the hull stable while expert craftsmen reconstruct this essential structure.

The Dowager’s newly installed transom, with bungs drying in place. This step seals the fasteners and ensures a strong, watertight structure.

The new transom is ready for varnish, and the hull sides have been fared, showing off the Dowager's semi-planing hull, designed for greater speed and efficiency than most boats of its era. This allows the boat to ride higher on the water instead of plowing through it, improving performance.

The Dowager’s new mahogany transom is fully installed. Rebuilding this essential structural element provides watertight strength, stability, and a striking finish to the yacht’s classic design.

The Dowager’s name was gilded in gold leaf and sealed beneath 32 coats of varnish—16 applied before and 16 after for depth and durability.

The Dowager is carefully transferred from its stands to the boat truck. The same transport company has moved the yacht six times and will securely load and deliver it to its new owner.

The Dowager is carefully loaded onto the boat truck, preparing to leave the shop where it was rebuilt and restored.

The boat truck carefully moved the Dowager a short distance from its stands inside the shop, out to the travel lift near the canal. The trip from the shop to the lake covered about a hundred yards.

Fresh from its 1998-2002 restoration, Dowager is seen here being launched in Ithaca. The hull was entirely replanked below the waterline with mahogany and reinforced with 132 new white oak ribs, ensuring strength and longevity.

The Dowager was moored just outside the window of the shop where it was rebuilt, with the boatbuilders watching over it every day.

The Dowager’s aft deck is a great place to hang out and watch the world go by, whether you're at dock or underway. Spacious enough for chairs, a cocktail table, and plenty of smiles.

George Howell, the Dowager’s former owner, and Dennis Montgomery, who led her restoration, stand on the aft deck as the boat moves across a glassy calm Cayuga Lake.

The Dowager’s bridge deck roof was suspended to allow restoration work on the boat beneath it. Raising it kept it out of the way while ensuring it could be reinstalled securely once the work below was complete.

The bridge deck roof was suspended above the hull to keep it safe and out of the way while the cabins and decks were restored.

With the covering board off, the new mahogany planking is installed over freshly replaced white oak ribs. The exposed frame structure shows the progress of the Dowager’s hull restoration.

With the covering board removed, new mahogany planking is installed along the hull. The exposed frames and temporary bracing support the structure during this phase of the rebuild.

The Dowager’s new stem is in place, with the first rows of mahogany planking installed. Planks were replaced one at a time from the bottom up, ensuring the hull maintained its shape throughout the rebuild.

The original 1931 rivets were replaced with silicon bronze screws, ensuring lasting strength and watertight integrity. With all new ribs, planks, and fasteners, the Dowager’s hull is effectively new.

The Dowager’s hull has been fully replanked with mahogany and reinforced with white oak. With all new ribs, planks, and fasteners, the hull is stronger and more watertight than ever—ready for final finishing.

The Dowager’s foredeck was completely rebuilt with new planking, while the mahogany sides of the deckhouse were saved. This strengthened the deck while preserving the yacht’s original 1931 design and appeal.

The Dowager’s new foredeck planking is fully installed, with precise joinery and cleanly laid seams. This stage of the restoration ensures a strong, watertight deck while maintaining the yacht’s original profile.

With the canvas expertly laid, the deck restoration is nearly complete. The deckhouse roof is ready to be lowered back into place, marking one of the final steps in the rebuild.

The Dowager, fully restored and moored under cover at Cayuga Wooden Boats. With its refinished foredeck, polished hardware, and classic 1931 lines, the yacht is protected and ready for new adventures.

An illustrated example of a 1931 Matthews 38' cruiser, similar to the Dowager but with an enclosed bridge deck. Buyers could choose between the designs. The enclosed version offered more protection, the open sides are ideal for summer cruising.

The Dowager moves smoothly down Cayuga Inlet, a classic cruiser built for long, relaxed days on the water. With its open bridge deck and mahogany cabin, it’s a boat designed for the simple joy of cruising.