Once we decided to look for an old wooden powerboat, our search began in March 2013 on the internet at Yachtworld.com and Wooden Boat Magazine’s classifieds to give us an idea of what was “out there”.
Hugh ran across the listing for KATIE MACK before we looked at our first boat — there was something about her that grabbed our attention, and we found ourselves comparing everything else to her.
While attending a medical conference in Washington, DC, we took a side trip to Annapolis to check out TEMMA, a “Maine Cruiser” built in 1928.
Locally, we looked at BURMA, a 57′ R.O. Davis-designed motorsailer built in 1950,
WITCH, a 1929 Elco 50, beautifully restored by the Shannon Boatyard in Bristol, RI;
and PROMISE, a 1930 William Hand-designed motorsailer currently undergoing a full restoration at the Shannon Boatyard;
By May, we were ready to fly out to Tacoma, WA to see KATIE MACK. The broker, Jill Heslin of Capital City Yacht Sales in Olympia, WA was very helpful throughout. We scheduled a sea trial which included an engine inspection and hot oil test by Tacoma Diesel & Equipment. The 6-71 Detroit Diesel passed with flying colors. In fact, the young man stated that this engine will probably outlive us all, as the 6-71’s were used on landing craft during World War II, and were designed to be easily maintained by Iowa farm boys.
Jack, the seller (above), took her north to Everett, WA to be hauled out for an all-day survey by Roger G. Morris of Seattle. The yard in the Port of Everett is the only one nearby with a four-sling travel-lift which offers far more support for an old wooden boat than the more usual two-sling models.
The survey found more rot than Jack had expected, and there would likely be more in the places Roger couldn’t access with his awl.
As long as we were out on the west coast and planning to visit family in California, we arranged to see two Stephens Brothers tri-cabin cruisers.NORTH STAR II was built in 1928 and ALLURE was built in 1931.
Lovely vessels all, but none fit as many of our needs and wants as did KATIE MACK. We knew in our hearts this was the vessel for us, and the negotiations began. We made an offer, conditional on the final results of the survey.