The Gyrfalcon is an 88-foot fantail that was originally designed in the late 1910s by Lee and Brinton for the US Coast Survey but the boat was never built. In the late 1930s, the Lee and Brinton plans were redesigned and updated by H.C. Hanson and the plans were put out for bids. Sagstad Marine won the contract and built the boat at the Maritime Shipyards on Commodore Way in Magnolia. She was launched as the Patton in 1941 and was put into service as an auxiliary survey vessel for the US Coast Survey. Throughout WW2 and until 1967, she conducted surveys from Seattle up to the Aleutian Islands along with her sister ship, the Lester Jones (now the Summer Wind). The Patton even rescued the crew from a bomber that crash-landed on a remote islet while returning from a bombing run to Japan.

In 1968, both ships were auctioned off and became private vessels. Over the years, our boat underwent changes in ownership (approximately 6) and in boat name (Patton to St. Croix to Triton). Modifications prior to our ownership include repowering with Caterpillar 3306s (~1971), extension of the salon, and redesign of galley and staterooms (1970s). We purchased her in 2012 and renamed her Gyrfalcon (pronounced “Jeer”), after the largest falcon in the world.

We have spent the last 14 years on extensive restoration and renovation. Major items include coach house roof, galley, hydronic heat, deck repair and sealing, new wiring, interior finishes and brightwork, upgrade of all electronics and plumbing, watermaker, anchor winch renovation, new bulwarks and sponsons, and planks too numerous to count. We lived aboard for many years, and enjoy cruising the Pacific Northwest from the south Puget Sound up through BC and SE Alaska. We also spent several summers as a charter boat in Alaska. We are now looking for someone to be the next caretaker of this wonderful historic ship.