Austin’s Iconic Houseboat Sets Sail on a New Chapter
After 44 years under the same captain, Lake Austin’s charter boat gets new owners who aim to preserve its legacy while charting a fresh course
On the waters of Lake Austin, an iconic multi-level houseboat has been turning heads for over four decades. Originally built in 1966, the Sunshine Machine made its Hollywood debut in the 1977 Peter Fonda film “Outlaw Blues.” Beyond its moment in the spotlight, this striking vessel has quietly witnessed Austin’s transformation from a sleepy college town to a booming metropolis — all while preserving a part of the city’s laid-back lake culture.
In 1981, Tom Hall attended a friend’s party near Mount Bonnell when he first spotted the boat. Its yellow steel hull exterior featured “Sunshine Machine” painted in groovy lettering. The next day, Hall found the boat’s owner and purchased it. The vessel had been docked at Westwood Country Club, where it briefly served as a hippie hangout for trespassing teenagers.
When Hall bought the boat, it was far from its once camera-ready days.
“The boat was covered in spiderwebs and very dirty because the previous owner had not used it in quite some time,” he recalls. The engine was dead, and virtually nothing else worked either.
Getting the Sunshine Machine seaworthy took considerable effort and an unexpected guardian angel. One day, a stranger named Colonel Parker, who owned a similar 35-foot houseboat with the exact same motor and outdrive, appeared at the dock.
“He just showed up and said he would like to help get it running, and did,” Hall remembers.
With Parker’s expertise and help from other friends, Hall coaxed the vessel back to life, beginning what would become 44 years of continuous renovations and improvements.
A floating home
For Hall and his wife Wendy, an artist he met at a Grateful Dead concert, the Sunshine Machine became more than just a boat — it was home.
“Rent back then was $300 a month for a full house,” Hall explains. “Docking the boat at Westwood Country Club was $50 a month with a free telephone and electricity. Laguna Gloria was my backyard.”
The couple lived on the boat together for nine years, navigating various docks around Lake Austin before securing a coveted slip at Ski Shores Marina in 1992, after three years of waiting. During their floating residence, they witnessed significant changes to the lake, namely, more people using it.
Soon after moving to Ski Shores, the Halls transitioned from living on the boat to chartering it. Their first clients were hula dancers from the original Hula Hut, and for the next 30 years, they hosted office parties, tourists and anyone eager to experience Texas lake life.
New hands at the helm
After 44 years of ownership, during which Hall maintained the boat daily and added distinctive mahogany floors and custom cabinets, the couple decided it was time to pass the torch. Enter Kaleigh and Michael Wiese, entrepreneurs with a vision for preserving Austin’s heritage.
“We’ve always enjoyed taking friends with us (on the lake), and sharing that experience,” says Michael, who recently earned his captain’s license. The couple discovered the Sunshine Machine through a serendipitous encounter at the Austin Symphony, where they met the Halls’ niece.
Kaleigh, founder of the hospitality agency ODE Places — which offers branding, operations and fractional CEO services for independent hotels, many dating back to 1906 — views the boat as more than just a charter business.
“Why build something new when we can amplify the story of something that is so deeply rooted in being local?” Kaleigh asks. “Austin has lots of things it’s known for, but one of our favorite things is the water.”
The Wieses took ownership in March 2025, determined to preserve the boat’s character while introducing modern touches like online booking and curated experiences. While Michael continues his career in tech and Kaleigh runs her hospitality consulting firm, they’re bringing fresh energy to the operation.
Preserving a lake legend
Operating from the same marina that the Halls secured in 1990, the Wieses plan to offer sunset cruises, chef collaborations and yoga sessions — while honoring the vessel’s authentic charm.
Despite the Sunshine Machine’s size and quirks, the Wieses have impressed their predecessors with how quickly they’ve mastered operating the 50-foot vessel.
“The most impressive thing is how quickly they caught on to driving that beast,” Hall notes.
The boat requires constant communication between captain and crew, since one person alone cannot safely navigate the vessel. Yet within just a few months of taking ownership, the couple has already begun chartering independently, demonstrating the same dedication to safety and guest experience that defined the Halls’ 44-year tenure.
When the Sunshine Machine glides across Lake Austin, it commands attention like no other vessel on the water. Boaters slow their engines to get a better look, passengers wave from passing pontoons, and shouts of admiration echo across the waves. Even as Lake Austin grows increasingly crowded with sleek speedboats and modern party barges, this vintage houseboat remains utterly singular — a floating piece of Austin history that refuses to be overlooked.
As Austin continues to evolve, the Sunshine Machine remains a tangible link to the city’s past — proof that while change is inevitable, some treasures are worth preserving for future generations to experience the magic of Lake Austin’s golden era.
Learn more and book your charter at www.sunshineboataustin.com.