Harbormaster Daniel Evans has scoured over every boat application to fill this year’s harbor with beautiful wooden boats from near and far. There are so many amazing boats coming to this year’s Festival. These are just a few of the must-sees on his list! Introducing the 2023 Harbormaster’s picks:
Gray Wolf
Wood can be speedy! Winner of the 2023 international Race to Alaska, Gray Wolf is cold-molded, square-headed, high-tweak, pure hyphenated speed—and fun. She was built in Maine in 1998 by Lyman Morse and raced extensively in Puget Sound by her current owners, the Goussevs.
Thunderbird #1 and Pirouette
Thunderbirds started as a design contest in Tacoma and have created a cultural icon of America’s sailing pedigree. These are the first two ever built! They are homeported in Gig Harbor and owned, respectively, by Harbor History Museum and Gig Harbor BoatShop. Pirouette was the boat Harbormaster Daniel Evans learned to sail on as a child!
Nootka
A Canadian missionary boat built in 1957 by Barney Williams, fisherman and shipwright of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. She has an amazing history!
Legendary
An amazing example of a fully restored Grand Banks. Built in 1973 with restoration completed this last April, she is bristol and a perfect example of elegant practicality.
Caine
A famous classic Beetle Cat (cat boat) built in the Concordia yard in Massachusetts in 1975. She was well known locally for tearing through the tide rips in Admiralty Inlet and, after years of beloved abuse, was bought by Mr. Walsh to continue her legacy of audacious sailing in Oregon. A perfect example of a simple, fast, and seaworthy small boat.