Starlight and I embarked on a Pacific voyage starting in 1979 that lasted five years. Many wonderful miles and people were encountered. She was designed by Edwin Monk Sr. in 1938 for Hervey Garett Smith who wrote the book Marline Spike Sailor. He never built the vessel to my knowledge but when Cecil Lange’s son arrived from New Zealand, Cecil and Ed Monk presented the plans for Brian David Lange to consider for his personal vessel. This he did and spent six years building her in Everett, launching in the River, and then towing her over to Pt. Townsend. Brian decided to return to NZ so placed the vessel up for sale. This is where I purchased her after falling in love in July of ‘76.
She is constructed of steam-bent white oak frames on 9” centers with 1 3/8” square Port Orford Planking. The hull was primarily bronze fastened. She had galvanized stem bolts and stainless keel bolts and an alloy mast which all served her well during the first Pacific cruises. The original sail design was a 7/8 rig and Brian Lange chose a masthead high aspect sail plan designed by Ed Monk Jr. As stated, this served well however I always dreamed of a more traditional rig with a wood mast.
Circumstances caused me to sell Starlight in 1993 after chasing a different lifestyle but I always felt it was a mistake. I had always kept track of her over the years and want very much to buy her back. She fell into disrepair and eventually sank off Jackson Cove on the Hood Canal. DNR refloated her in February of 2011 and she was once again towed to Pt Townsend and placed on the hard. There she went up for auction and I happened into town and ended up buying her back.
The refit was extensive and very much complete. Nothing was spared and I made the changes that I had always dreamed of making when younger. I feel the vessel is the way she would have been constructed in 1938 and I’ve held that goal throughout the refit. All stainless has been replaced with bronze fitting throughout. The new mast is out of solid fir pole and completely fitted with local bronze fittings from the Pt. Townsend Foundry. Major work was performed by Bryan Hayes of WoodWorks boatbuilding, and Bryan along with his wife, Julie, have been more than gracious with her placement at their property for the extent of the refit. Admiralty Marine Supply is also very much appreciated for their supply of needed parts and material. I feel this could not have been accomplished without the Marine Trades Association here in Pt Townsend nearly as comfortable as anywhere else. A big thank you for all of them.
Starlight is and remains a very simple spartan vessel with no shore power or modern electronics. What remains aboard is her original sextant, chronometer, barometer, and depth sounder. With this accompaniment, she can cruise the world.
It has been a wonderful experience if not always easy to accomplish, and I and the younger crew persons involved look forward to learning her new rig and sharing new adventures together.