There she sits, hull number 168, of the Yankee Dolphin pod. She was built in 1970 in California. It was love at first sight. I planned to dicker with the owner and go over her with a fine tooth comb for condition and possible repairs. It didn't work that way. I climbed up a rickety wooden ladder and fell in love. What can I say? I drove back the next Saturday, June 3rd and met the owner at the bank in Sequim. We transferred his full asking price from my account to his. So much for bargaining and fine tooth combs. I went back to the now closed boatyard to find the yard owner who had fixed the trailer for me. He was working another full time job and fixed the trailer in his off time.
Off to Portland with 6,000 pounds of boat and trailer.
I drove back over the Hood Canal floating bridge, the Tacoma Narrows bridge, and down I-5 to home. The trailer had new tires, brakes, bearings, new master cylinder assembly, and new safety chains. I kept a steady 50 miles per hour down the four lane for 216 miles. I kept waiting for the boat to fall off the trailer. On a Saturday evening there was lots of cars, but few large trucks passing us. I got home at 11:00 PM and even found the street parking in front of my house clear. Hooray!
The Dolphin website is Dolphin24.org
This classic MORC boat is designed by Sparkman and Stephens. For much more information go to the website.
