Skip to content

Classic Beauties at Wooden Boat Show

Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon spent Summer Sailstice weekend hosting the Master Mariners Benevolent Association, including the 26th Wooden Boat Show on sunny, warm Sunday.

Judges
Judging the entries were Christine Martinelli. Milly Biller and Billy Martinelli.
© 2019 John Skoriak

The boats that stood out for our Roving Reporter, Woody, included the stunning Alden schooner Mayan. “The boat looks absolutely beautiful, even better than the first time she appeared at the show a few years ago.”

Mayan
Mayan, as seen sailing in this year’s Master Mariners Regatta on May 25.
© 2019 Latitude 38 Media LLC / John

“A close second would have been Yucca, whose new owner is keeping the boat in beautiful shape after buying it from Hank Easom.”

Yucca at CYC
Yucca is an 8-Meter sloop of 1937 vintage.
© 2019 John Skoriak

“A few runners-up would have been the yellow Sunda and Freda B, which is not an old woodie. But considering how much the boat sails, day in and day out, year-round, sometimes two to three charters a day, and how hard it would be to maintain a boat like that, Freda B was absolutely sparkling throughout. It takes a lot of effort to maintain any Master Mariner classic boat in such Bristol condition, but most of them are not sailed regularly throughout the year. Freda B’s condition, especially for a working boat, is the standard by which other similar boats are measured.

Freda B
Freda B is a steel schooner in charter service out of Sausalito.
© 2019 John Skoriak
Sunda
Sunda is a 35-ft Ben Seaborn-designed sloop built in 1941.
© 2019 John Skoriak

“Peter English told me there were 37 boats in the show this year. That’s down a bit, especially for small boats. Conspicuous in her absence was the schooner Brigadoon, but Peter explained that Terry Claus had a once-in-decade family reunion in the Midwest that he had to attend. But it was great to see some of the regular woodies, and it was a beautiful day for a show.”

Alma
The 1892 scow schooner Alma, a National Historic Landmark, always gathers a crowd.
© 2019 John Skoriak

Show awards went to:

  • The Alma Trophy for the “Biggest change in one year” went to Catnip.
  • The Corinthian Cup “Reflects on care of owner” went to Gold Star.
  • The winner of Best in Show was Tre.
  • People’s Choice (119 votes) went to Water Witch.
Catnip
Catnip won most improved.
© 2019 John Skoriak
Gold Star
Gold Star, a 47-ft schooner, was launched in 1960 and has been sailing on San Francisco Bay since 1965.
© 2019 John Skoriak
Tre
Tre, Elise Brewster’s Reimers 14.5, is a 47-ft Marconi sloop built in 1939.
© 2019 John Skoriak
Water Witch
The Egleston family is finally putting the finishing touches on a 27-year restoration of the Lester Stone & Son Boat Builders 56-ft cutter Water Witch.
© 2019 John Skoriak

4 Comments

  1. Marina 5 years ago

    Water Witch is such a handsome boat. So glad to see all of these beauties in one place. We are so fortunate to have the Master Mariners put this show together for the public every year.

  2. Dennis Bailey 5 years ago

    Catnip looks a lot like my Herreshoff 28 built in 1966 by Far East Yachts, not so much in design but by accoutrements. Wish I knew how to send a photo with this.

    • Christine Weaver 5 years ago

      Hi Dennis: If you’d like to send a photo, please email it to me at [email protected]

  3. Golde wallingford 5 years ago

    So beautiful to see all these boats!….I have been trying to find a contact for Billy Martinelli ..as he first introduced me to sailing in 1976….aboard Mayan…and I later went on to sail for years….My 70th birthday is coming up and i was reflecting on all the wonderful adventures and people in my life….and would so love to thank Billy for introducing me to sailing.I live in Hawaii on the Big Island…..if you could pass this on to Billy or give me a way to contact him….i would be ever grateful….Mahalo….golde (carol) wallingford
    [email protected]
    808.938.1122

Leave a Comment




World Sailing Awards
World Sailing invites you to nominate individuals, teams and organizations for the 2019 World Sailing Awards. The awards celebrate outstanding achievement and exceptional contributions to the sport of sailing.