Sea Nymph II is a 1946 Ed Monk Sr. displacement hull bridge deck cruiser.
46′ X 13′ 6″ X 3′ 10″, built by the Grandy Boat Works, Seattle Washington.
Flybridge added 1960’s – Ed Monk, Sr. designer.
Hull is carvel planked cedar, oak ribs on 9″ centers. Cabin sides are 1″ mahogany.
History:
1st Owner: From the Edwin Monk blueprints that were aboard the boat, the original owner was A. W. Copp. The date on these plans is 4-19-46.
2nd Owner: Robert B. Burfitt (19_ _ to 1968) The boat was originally named MARGO and was renamed MIRAMAR II. MIRAMAR II was cruised extensively and kept at the Queen City Yacht Club. There are additional plans showing the addition of the flying bridge, also signed by Ed Monk Sr. The customer’s name on these plans is R. B. Burfitt, date 8/4/65. Subsequent owners had a significant impact on the condition and character of the boat. Some of their work experience is included because I believe it is reflected in upkeep and character of the boat.
3rd Owner: Carl G. Wilhelm (1968 to 2003). Carl re-named the boat Sea Nymph II after the Sea Nymph, a US Coast Guard boat on which he served in Hawaii. Sea Nymph II was kept in the Bremerton Yacht Club for 35 Years. Carl re-powered the boat in 1976, removing the Chrysler gas engines and replacing them with rebuilt & marinized ISUZU diesel engines. Carl was a predicted log racer, USCG Auxiliary and Power Squadron Member and cruised extensively in northwestern US waters. Another legend of Karl’s experience with Sea Nymph II was a close encounter with a Washington State ferry during a foggy February predicted log race. There was local TV coverage with a good close up of Sea Nymph II. (I have not been able to find this footage.) The photo of the boat with a large US Navy ship was printed in the local newspaper at the time the historic battleship USS Missouri was heading to her last mission at Pearl Harbor as a floating museum. Karl Wilhelm, seen on the fly bridge, was piloting the Sea Nymph II, then registered as a designated Coast Guard Auxiliary escort vessel.
4th Owner: Daniel and Lynda Mason (2003 to 2006) Dan’s military service was with the US Navy during the VietNam era. He served aboard a Heavy Cruiser, Destroyer, and two diesel submarines.
Dan retired from Puget sound Naval Shipyard as a Chief Test Engineer for Combat Systems with 31 years of Civil Service. Dan’s true passion was the restoration of the Ed Monk Bridge deck Cruisers, a total of 5. The best example of his restorations was the 1941, 36’ Ed Monk bridgedeck cruiser TOMARA. After completing restoration, it was published by McGraw Hill in the book Classic Wooden Motor Yachts by Ron McClure. Pages 157-159. He made progress towards restoration of the Sea Nymph but health issues interrupted those efforts.
5th Owners: Dave and Karn Miller (2006 to …). We had been looking for a cruising boat and had looked at several in the Puget Sound area. Our first impression when we looked at Sea Nymph, she seemed to say to us “This is the boat for you”. We had a thorough tour of the boat and we were amazed at her condition and extensive features but there was an ambiance or character that impressed us most of all. On the way home I asked Karn what she thought of the boat. She said “the boat has provenance”. Since we took custody of Sea Nymph II in 2006, we have tried to preserve that character and provenance.
The bottom has been refastened, keel bolts added, seams re-corked. Shafts, props and cutlass bearings have been replaced. Much of the original wiring and electrical gear has been upgraded. A hydronic heating system has been installed to augment the heat provided by the Dickinson diesel stove and electric heat. Heads and black water systems have been replaced or upgraded to meet current environmental standards. Electronics and navigation systems have been upgraded. We have restored and upgraded the main saloon cabinetry to be more in keeping with the original design and provide additional storage. The refrigeration system has been modernized to be more efficient and serviceable.
During much of her life, Sea Nymph has been kept under cover. It took us a few years to get her back under cover where she is today. This was considered essential to maintaining her overall condition.
She has benefited from the expertise and craftsmanship of shipwrights in her home port of Bremerton as well as Port Townsend where over the past several years we have made substantial improvements to her condition as noted above.
I hope you enjoy reading about the Sea Nymph II and seeing the photos.
The dinghy is thought to be of the Minto design. It was built in a garage in Portland Or. and has a full sailing rig. (Its current owner has avoided trying to sail it due in the famously chilly waters of Puget Sound.) The strakes are mahogany plywood copper riveted to oak frames.
If anyone can add to the lore of Sea Nymph II, I’d love to hear from you.