Harrah intended to do more entertaining on the "Thunderbird" than Whittell had, with guest lists
that included entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Tony Bennett, who headlined
in the showrooms at his casinos. The boat's original design had an almost full-length cabin roof,
with a relatively small open space just aft of midships that limited its passengers' ability to get an
open-air view of the breathtaking vistas they were cruising past. Two 550 hp V-12 engines nestled
under traditional flip-up hatch covers that took up the entire stern of the boat, leaving no room
for standing or socializing back there. It was a boat designed more for speed than entertaining,
and Harrah envisioned a modification that would enable it to do both things equally well.