A great National Historic Landmark visited Gig Harbor this week. Adventuress is an amazing schooner that was built in Maine for the purpose of hunting whales in Alaska. Later she worked as a pilot boat in San Fransico, then during World War II joined the United States Coast Guard protecting San Fransico Bay. About 1960, she was brought to Seattle and today is operatated by the non-profit organization Sound Experience as a platform for environmental education about Puget Sound.
Summer in Downtown Gig Harbor is like being at a boat show every day. There's wonderful parks with pubic docks and viewing decks-- This deepwater harbor is a favorite Northwest boating destination and there's no telling what you'll see or who you'll meet. Here's another example:
Puffin landed at the Jerish Park dock a few days ago and her owners were generous to let me drool (I've been a hopeless boat fanatic for over half a century). This classic Garden designed trawler is a masterpiece-- easily one of the nicest yachts I've seen.
Owners Linda and Capt. Lyle Petke are the proud stewards of this most remarkable vessel. Words or a few pictures cannot describe the talent and care they pour into Puffin-- It is truly over-the-top.
Capitan Petke recently installed the lower cabin sole and like everything else on board; materials and craftsmanship are flawless. Notice how the hatch grain lines up with the floor.
Never thought we'd get there huh? Ah, it's the business end of this most capable passage maker, and it brings new meaning to the old praise; "You can eat off the floor".
"There is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats". - Kenneth Grahame
I'm guessing the Petkes agree... Thanks Linda and Lyle, you made my day!
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