RIP Captain Ron

Descant · 09-25-2025, 11:22 AM

With sadness, we let you know of the passing this morning of Captain Ron Largey, owner of the Great Escape. Formerly the Tonimar mail boat, the Great Escape is a 1926 Hubert Johnson cruiser measuring 43'. As the Tonimar, the master stateroom overhead had been removed and converted to a flush deck for passenger seats, and the galley and forward staeroom, I believe, were converted to the mail room. Capatin Ron, a craftsman, brought the cabin out of storage and over a period of several years restored the Great Escape. The Largey's are remembered by many for being on an annual Thanksgiving Day cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the last pleasure boats in operation at that late date. RIP Captain Ron and condolences to his wife and family.

webmaster · 09-25-2025, 11:36 AM

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...hp?photo=17097

barefootbay · 09-27-2025, 04:41 PM

Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ?
Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .

Descant · 09-28-2025, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefootbay

Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ?
Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .

I believe she's still in her boathouse; did not get launched this year. I understand succession plans are in place for the boat and the boathouse. Unlikely anyrthing will happen soon.

Just Sold · 03-08-2026, 09:05 AM

Tonimar up For Sale
https://www.facebook.com/share/17kWw8X3XV/

camp guy · 03-08-2026, 10:21 AM

I used to get the Tonimar (Great Escape) and the Peoples Choice mixed up when I saw them. Then I realized the Great Escape had full length cabin cover which, if you were planning a 'great escape', would make a great runway for an escape plane. The Peoples Choice has a much shorter cabin roof.

webmaster · 03-30-2026, 11:27 AM

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...hp?photo=14517

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...read.php?t=881

09-25-2025, 11:22 AM	#1
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,591 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 1,703 Times in 1,107 Posts	RIP Captain Ron With sadness, we let you know of the passing this morning of Captain Ron Largey, owner of the Great Escape. Formerly the Tonimar mail boat, the Great Escape is a 1926 Hubert Johnson cruiser measuring 43'. As the Tonimar, the master stateroom overhead had been removed and converted to a flush deck for passenger seats, and the galley and forward staeroom, I believe, were converted to the mail room. Capatin Ron, a craftsman, brought the cabin out of storage and over a period of several years restored the Great Escape. The Largey's are remembered by many for being on an annual Thanksgiving Day cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the last pleasure boats in operation at that late date. RIP Captain Ron and condolences to his wife and family.

03-08-2026, 09:05 AM	#5
Just Sold Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Suncook, NH, but at The Lake at Heart Posts: 2,616 Thanks: 1,086 Thanked 434 Times in 210 Posts	Tonimar For Sale Tonimar up For Sale https://www.facebook.com/share/17kWw8X3XV/ __________________ Just Sold At the lake the stress of daily life just melts away. Pro Re Nata Last edited by Just Sold; 03-08-2026 at 09:26 AM. Reason: Spelling

03-08-2026, 10:21 AM	#6
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Tonimar for Sale I used to get the Tonimar (Great Escape) and the Peoples Choice mixed up when I saw them. Then I realized the Great Escape had full length cabin cover which, if you were planning a 'great escape', would make a great runway for an escape plane. The Peoples Choice has a much shorter cabin roof.

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09-25-2025, 11:36 AM	#2
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09-27-2025, 04:41 PM	#3
barefootbay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 395 Thanks: 81 Thanked 108 Times in 76 Posts	Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ? Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .

03-30-2026, 11:27 AM	#7
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,494 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 467 Thanked 4,031 Times in 864 Posts	https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...hp?photo=14517 https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...read.php?t=881

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