Joshua’s hull and deck were built by Bill Elliott of Bay Ship and Yacht with a hands-on assist by owner Bill Harpster. Line drawings for Joshua were taken from R.D. Culler’s Spray, as drawn by Victor Slocum, son of Joshua Slocum in 1928.
After Joshua was launched in 1980, owner Bill Harpster hand-built the houses, booms and masts, and rigging. Sails were made by Pineapple Sails of Alameda, CA, with Harpster adding all handwork. Joshua’s maiden sail was in 1982 on San Francisco Bay.
For 15 years, Joshua was a familiar sight all over the Bay and from Drake’s Bay to Monterey. In 1997, Joshua sailed to its new home in Oak Harbor at the seaplane base NAS Whidbey Island. Today, Joshua is berthed at the Oak Harbor city marina.