In 2001 I bought my first boat in Friday Harbor and named it Western Flyer. It was a 43 Selene pilot house trawler I planned to sail to Alaska and eventually the Sea of Cortez. The boat has been resold a couple of times but still crusing the PNW.
As a young man growing up in California in the 60's and 70's I was "forced" to read Steinbeck but had never heard of the Western Flyer. BTW I got here from the Sampson Boat Co.
The picture at 4:26 shows her in Kodiak waters during the heydays of the 1960s king crab boom, loaded (overloaded) with 6 x 6' pots. As an old seadog and veteran of the king crab fishery, this pic makes me shudder.
When I was 16 I read The Log from the Sea of Cortez and my parents had a place on Marrowstone Island where I read that the boat was in Port Townsend in a newspaper and my dad and I went and saw it the next day. Mr. Gregg gave me a shark tooth fossil that I still have today and I would credit that experience with both my love of boats and the marine world. Heading off to college to study diesel technology with the goal of restoring vintage diesel boat engines and making the. More efficient without changing design to keep boats as original as possible yet better for the environment in historical restorations.
Ah, The Western Flyer! I discovered the Sea of Cortez by reading Steinbeck's book, and fell in love sight unseen. How beautiful it is to know this iconic -is mythical a better word?- boat is being given new life. Many thanks to all those involved! Who knows, I may be fortunate enough to walk its decks one day. :-)
I first heard about this boat and the expedition in an article in "Smithsonian." I was thrilled to discover this channel telling about the restoration of the boat. I will try to find a copy of Steinbeck's book to further learn about this remarkable trip. Thank you.
Yep! I am all caught up on Tally Ho, Arabella and Salt & Tar. Love it! So glad people see the need to keep this historic working wooden boat afloat and teaching.
Sig Hansen's father sverre worked aboard the western flyer late 50s early 60s? When he first came over from Norway, it was captained at the time by Dan luketa.
A companion book written by Doc Ricketts is "Between Pacific Tides" it is more of a detailed text book than literature but growing up of the coast of California, it was my Bible.. I believe it is still in print.. It was Doc Ricketts and John Steinbeck who set out on this small expedition to the Sea of Cortez.. Oh, just to be on that journey...
Were it not for the expertise of the Master Craftsman of the Western Boat Building Company and the superb timbers they selected for the build, the Western Flyer would not have lasted for so many decades of hard work in a harsh environment, and survived four (4) separate incidents of being sunk, the last for up to seven months on the ocean floor! This vessel is so much more than the interlinked timbers that make up it's construction, and thankfully the owner recognises and respects the historical and environmental significance and wants to continue the boats importance for future generations of Marine Biologists and pool peerers!
I need more videos of this boat being built....i know its slow but what a project. Also if only humans would have listened to the warnings these great completely unselfish people. Maybe greed wouldnt have ran out world last 100years
I must have missed it. How did the flyer sink? Are there any other flyers still around or what happen to them? Your rebuilding the Flyer? What percentage is original besides the shape? We would like to know. Lee
In 2001 I bought my first boat in Friday Harbor and named it Western Flyer. It was a 43 Selene pilot house trawler I planned to sail to Alaska and eventually the Sea of Cortez. The boat has been resold a couple of times but still crusing the PNW.
As a young man growing up in California in the 60's and 70's I was "forced" to read Steinbeck but had never heard of the Western Flyer. BTW I got here from the Sampson Boat Co.
The picture at 4:26 shows her in Kodiak waters during the heydays of the 1960s king crab boom, loaded (overloaded) with 6 x 6' pots. As an old seadog and veteran of the king crab fishery, this pic makes me shudder.
When I was 16 I read The Log from the Sea of Cortez and my parents had a place on Marrowstone Island where I read that the boat was in Port Townsend in a newspaper and my dad and I went and saw it the next day. Mr. Gregg gave me a shark tooth fossil that I still have today and I would credit that experience with both my love of boats and the marine world. Heading off to college to study diesel technology with the goal of restoring vintage diesel boat engines and making the. More efficient without changing design to keep boats as original as possible yet better for the environment in historical restorations.
Well done. Thank you.
Can’t wait to see this boat in person one day. Steinbeck is an American hero and ricketts was marine biology’s Einstein. Gave me all the good feels.
What a trip to be on.two guys way ahead of their time.
Ah, The Western Flyer!
I discovered the Sea of Cortez by reading Steinbeck's book, and fell in love sight unseen. How beautiful it is to know this iconic -is mythical a better word?- boat is being given new life.
Many thanks to all those involved! Who knows, I may be fortunate enough to walk its decks one day. :-)
I first heard about this boat and the expedition in an article in "Smithsonian." I was thrilled to discover this channel telling about the restoration of the boat. I will try to find a copy of Steinbeck's book to further learn about this remarkable trip. Thank you.
Here I go again. Getting caught up with another wooden boat restoration.
I know exactly what you mean!
I'm hooked
Yep! I am all caught up on Tally Ho, Arabella and Salt & Tar. Love it! So glad people see the need to keep this historic working wooden boat afloat and teaching.
Lol
Sig Hansen's father sverre worked aboard the western flyer late 50s early 60s? When he first came over from Norway, it was captained at the time by Dan luketa.
A companion book written by Doc Ricketts is "Between Pacific Tides" it is more of a detailed text book than literature but growing up of the coast of California, it was my Bible.. I believe it is still in print.. It was Doc Ricketts and John Steinbeck who set out on this small expedition to the Sea of Cortez.. Oh, just to be on that journey...
Were it not for the expertise of the Master Craftsman of the Western Boat Building Company and the superb timbers they selected for the build, the Western Flyer would not have lasted for so many decades of hard work in a harsh environment, and survived four (4) separate incidents of being sunk, the last for up to seven months on the ocean floor!
This vessel is so much more than the interlinked timbers that make up it's construction, and thankfully the owner recognises and respects the historical and environmental significance and wants to continue the boats importance for future generations of Marine Biologists and pool peerers!
I need more videos of this boat being built....i know its slow but what a project. Also if only humans would have listened to the warnings these great completely unselfish people. Maybe greed wouldnt have ran out world last 100years
If you ever get near this boat don't forget to knock on it's hull
Three times.
And if I don't?
My niece studied marine biology in the sea of cortez, I sent her the link for this video series. Oh, and yes, she's a scientist!
I must have missed it. How did the flyer sink? Are there any other flyers still around or what happen to them? Your rebuilding the Flyer? What percentage is original besides the shape?
We would like to know.
Lee
They estimate having to replace 60% of the boat, they are going with a new electric propulsion system.
So...I watched 11 episodes of work on this boat and it just ended. Was or is it finished? Kinda left me in a lurch !
Nice
It's good to remember that they went as couples, hoping to help their relationships too, I understand.
73'
Will people please *STOP* making wooden boat restoration projects. That way I can have my life, wife and girlfriend back again.
Hurrah ! Hurrah!
"Oh Lawd..."
She said... "you wouldn't hit a Woman!"