We took a very quick shopping trip to Port Townsend this week for boat supplies. Before we left we stopped to check on restoration progress for the Western Flyer, the boat made famous by John Steinbeck on a research voyage with marine biologist Ed Ricketts and memorialized in their book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez” in 1940.
The boat has come a very long way since I first photographed her in July 2013. Take a look at her sorry condition then.
The framing that was applied last summer is now being covered with cedar planking from huge, thick boards. The wood appears to be milled on site. Her original siding looked like this four years ago.
The restoration has progressed steadily since I visited last August here and in June 2018 here.
Her stem and stern are being rebuilt with a strong lumber, probably something like purple heart.
Her deck house is separately undergoing restoration nearby. It’s hard to get a clear shot into the little building but the galley, seen through these small windows, is taking shape nicely.
The Western Flyer is being restored by the Western Flyer Foundation. Click here for more information about the foundation, the history of the boat, and plans for her next life.
It’s wonderful to see the beautiful workmanship as this boat is being given a new life.
A lot of TLC has gone into this project. It takes careful planning and designed to achieve the final results..
What a difference time is making on her.
It’s looking good and on its way to becoming a beauty once again.
I looked at all your linked photos and it is truly amazing the progress that is being made. It’s taking a lot of skill and dedication to do this work.
What a difference! It looks beautiful!
Wow what a difference.