The Revival of a Legend

Born From History, Built For Survival (1979)

The Dragon Lady is not just a yacht—she is a response to a moment that shook the nation.

Her original owner, Carmen Warschaw, a major Democratic power broker and philanthropist, stood directly behind Senator Robert F. Kennedy the night he was assassinated in Los Angeles. When the shots rang out, Carmen was so close she was covered in his blood. In the chaos, the Secret Service rushed toward her, prioritizing the protection of one of the most influential political figures in the room as Kennedy fell to the floor.

This moment sparked a federal inquiry—and sparked Carmen's next command.

"Make it bulletproof."

Shaken but resolute, Carmen told her naval architects: "I want a vessel that is bulletproof. One that can get away—and come back."

They replied that they were already building a strong yacht. Carmen repeated: "I didn't mince my words."

When asked where she wanted to be able to flee to—and return from—she answered: "Hawaii."

That single word forced the redesign of the entire project. Originally intended for a 3,000-mile range, the vessel's fuel capacity was tripled, giving her nearly 10,000 gallons and 10,000 nautical miles of endurance—an unheard-of range for an 86-foot private yacht.

A Diplomatic Workhorse (1979–1989)

From launch through the 1980s, The Dragon Lady became a quiet but notable platform in American political life.

During this decade she hosted presidential candidates, governors, senators, ambassadors, and high-ranking political strategists, serving as a floating VIP salon where deals were made, alliances formed, and campaigns quietly plotted.

Her voyages during these years included extensive travel throughout the Pacific, the West Coast, the Caribbean—and, most impressively, a full circumnavigation of the globe.

She did not just meet Carmen's requirement; she exceeded it, proving herself a true long-range expedition vessel capable of crossing oceans with ease.

Steel, Strength & Style

Built by Skullerud & Sons of Long Beach in 1979, she is:

86 feet of heavy-gauge steel
153 gross tons on paper, 175 tons on the sling
8.5-foot draft
5 staterooms, 6 heads
A grand salon and galley designed for lavish soirées
Equipped with a steam shower, hot tub, and a 17' Boston Whaler tender

She was built like a fortress but lived like a palace.

A Name With a Journey

Originally christened Dragon Lady IV, she was later renamed Three Winches, and today her rightful name has been restored: The Dragon Lady.

Reborn for a New Era

Today she lives again—revitalized with the flamboyant whimsy of Pee-wee's Playhouse and the glam sparkle of Studio 54.

Her sound system can melt your ears, her lighting can ignite a dance floor, and her steel bones remain as formidable as the day Carmen demanded bulletproof strength.

The Dragon Lady was built from fearlessness, lived a decade at the heart of American political life, circumnavigated the planet, and now sails forward as a floating temple of joy, creativity, and unapologetic self-expression.

Welcome aboard The Dragon Lady—where history, strength, and style converge on the open sea.

The Dragon Lady - Carmen Warschaw

Carmen Warschaw

Long before “feminism” became a potent political movement in the U.S., Carmen Warschaw cracked glass ceiling after glass ceiling.

She served on California’s first coastal commission and was the first female chair of the State’s Fair Employment Practices Commission, established in 1959 to enforce California civil rights laws regarding discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

The long-time doyenne of the California Democratic Party attended her first national party convention in 1948 and was a California delegate to just about all of them from then on. She served on her party’s National Committee, representing the Golden State, and as Southern California Democratic Party chair.