Photo by Jordan W. Patterson The Summer Wind, pictured at the Boatworks in Celoron, is in need of repairs after its upper deck was sheared off during Saturday’s storms. The 130-passenger sightseeing vessel has been touring the lake since July 1998.

CELORON — An iconic cruiser of Chautauqua Lake will need repairs before the start of the season later this month.

The Summer Wind, which has called Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron home since July 1998, sustained damage Saturday when a series of storms moved through Chautauqua County.

Winds reportedly sheared the upper deck off the 130-passenger yacht-type boat. Pieces from the upper deck could be seen in the lake where the Summer Wind is kept at the Boatworks next to the village park.

Liz Kaltenbach, office manager for the Summer Wind, said repairs will be made “as quickly as possible so we will be back in operation by the start of the normal season.”

The Summer Wind season is from the last Saturday in June through the Labor Day weekend.

It wasn’t immediately known how much damage the cruiser sustained or how long it might be out of operation. However, Kaltenbach said repairs could cost as much as $50,000.

The Summer Wind — which offers chartered tours of Chautauqua Lake in addition to hosting anniversaries, weddings and other events — is operated by Paradise Yacht Cruises Inc.

Asked of her reaction to the amount of damage following the storm, Kaltenbach said: “Shock and disbelief at how the winds were able to cause that (upper deck) to shear off. People were down there looking at it the day after and just couldn’t believe it.”

The dock that moors the Summer Wind was also damaged as a result of the boat coming up against it during the storm. A man who answered the phone at the Boatworks on Tuesday said the dock will need to be repaired.

The 73-foot vessel was built in La Crosse, Wisc., and delivered by truck where it was launched at Long Point State Park.