Header photo by Mitchel Osborne
Harbormaster, Daniel Evans, has scoured over every boat application—learning about each vessel and filling this year’s harbor with wooden boats from near and far. Through this process, he’s compiled his five must-see boats at this year’s festival. Introducing the Harbormaster’s picks:
Lady Washington
Owned by Grays Harbor Historical Society, Lady Washington is the official tall ship of Washington State. This year she is open for free tours (donations appreciated!). This is a rare opportunity to see a historic replica of the first American vessel to make landfall on the west coast of North America.
Clean Bay
The first all-electric, solar-powered free marine pump-out vessel. Designed by Tim Nolan and built by the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Clean Bay is a collaboration of local marine businesses, private donors, and state agencies all aligned around a common goal of promoting environmental stewardship. The hull is strip planked western red cedar and cold molded using Kaya veneer. A true one-of-a-kind wooden vessel!
S/L Puffin
Built in 1906 as a hotel limo for the Great Lakes, Puffin is a 21-foot passenger vessel fueled by a wood-fired boiler. She’ll be giving out free rides all festival every day!
Wayward Sun
In 2021, Wayward Sun completed the first 100% solar voyage through the Inside Passage. Built by Sam Devlin and owned by the father-son team David and Alex Borton, it’s designed to be stable and seaworthy—with a protected cabin and an innovative waterless head system all surrounded by a stitch and glue hull construction. Amazing!!
Veteran
Launched by Skansie Ship Building in 1926 and donated to Gig Harbor BoatShop in 2017, purse seiner Veteran is one of Gig Harbor’s and Puget Sound’s most iconic designs. She is a fantastic symbol of the regional commercial fleet that established Puget Sound as a preeminent fishing community and waterfront culture.