Dixie Gets A Cleaning
![](https://www.inkfreenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Dixie-IMG_03401.jpg)
Jacob “Twig” Yahne, left, and David Powell prepare to clean the bottom of Webster Lake’s Dixie tour boat underwater. They were assisted by Ron Erb. About three inches of seaweed and zebra muscles were removed.
NORTH WEBSTER — When the word got out that the 88-year-old Dixie tour boat needed her metal bottom cleaned of seaweed growth and zebra muscles, local scuba dive enthusiasts Jacob “Twig” Yahne and David Powell came to the rescue.
It had been almost three years since the Dixie had its every five-year out of water bottom inspection and cleaning. The underwater buildup had become noticeable in the operation of the popular Webster Lake tour boat.
Obtaining scuba gear from area dive instructor Jeff Hamman, Yahne and Powell were ready for the task. On a recent Saturday morning Dixie captains Ron Erb, Russ Boucher and Dave Tranter took the boat to the Webster Lake kettle and dropped the anchors.
Using large plastic scrapers designed by Yahne, the divers began the task. The duo was joined underwater by Erb who scraped the sides below the water line while the scuba divers went under the boat to do the job.
They reported the growth of weeds and zebra mussels was about three inches thick and would definitely affect the operation of the boat.
With much physical effort, the task was completed, the anchors raised and the boat tested. “Wow, what a difference,” the captains reported. The bottom scraping procedure has now been placed on the annual maintenance schedule for the 76 foot boat.
Dixie Sternwheeler, Inc., the non profit overseer of this historic landmark is grateful to all involved in this effort that ensure the boat will continue to ply the waters of Webster Lake.