TOPIC: 1959 Skagit 31 Saratogan launched after 22 years

I launched my 1959 Skagit 31 Saratogan after 22 year restoration on October 4, 2010. It was actually 37 years on the hard. It's the third and last 31 built and the only restored Saratogan.

Her sister ship, hull one which was launched in 1957 was the largest all fiberglass production cruiser built at the time. Don't think the record stood for very long, though.

It's powered by twin Volvo Penta TAMD41 200 Hp turbo diesels. 2:1 reduction, 8 degree down angle reverse gears turning 18 X 21 Dynaquad propellers. She's fairly fast, 18 knot cruise and 28 knot tops. She'll plane out to 14 knots on one engine, pretty unusual! Very smooth and soft riding.

I posted some pictures in the gallery. Check it out.

More on this boat later.

Tim

Looks absolutely wonderful. Looking forward to seeing more photo's.

Beautiful Boat !!! You must be proud and Glad to have it in the water .By the looks of the one picture of it moving Ild LOVE to Knee Board or Wake board behind her ..

This is without adought one of the most beautiful boats on the water today. It has all the classic lines to it. The proper colors to befit a classic. She rides nice in the water and has the proper amount of power to make it look great at speed. It is a bout to be proud of it is nice to see that it doesnt just sit at the dock. Thanks, Skip.

Tim
Stunning.
11,500 lbs. of stunning.
Neil

Thank you for bring this beautiful boat back, and for the pictures.
Now for my ignorance, what is the function of the third prop coming from the keel?

The third propeller is an electric "ghosting motor". Use it for trolling or silent running. I'll be taking people out on nature cruises, so will be able to shut down the diesels and make 4 to 6 knots on electric power. Propeller is variable pitch and full-feathering. Hydraulic ram is pitch control. Tim

McSkagit wrote:

The third propeller is an electric "ghosting motor". Use it for trolling or silent running. I'll be taking people out on nature cruises, so will be able to shut down the diesels and make 4 to 6 knots on electric power. Propeller is variable pitch and full-feathering. Hydraulic ram is pitch control. Tim

Well, isn't that slick?? Cool beans! The boat is absolutely beautiful.

Tim
Is the ghosting motor an option that came original with the boat?
Are your nature tours just for your friends or can a person make a reservation for one?
Neil

God what a thing of beauty. I am speechless otherwise.

An absolute beauty! Love the lines and I bet she's a joy to captain.
JAG

Neil wrote:

Tim
Is the ghosting motor an option that came original with the boat?
Are your nature tours just for your friends or can a person make a reservation for one?
Neil

The ghosting motor is my own creation. Prior to my ownership, the twin V-8s were removed and a single diesel bus engine was installed.
A center sterntube was installed and the keel lengthened. That repower was never completed.

I decided to go back to twins, which left the center sterntube unused. What to do with it? Ghosting motor was the answer. The motor is a WWII aircraft generator....makes about 10 HP on 24 volts.

Yes, I'll be doing scheduled and custom charters, whale watching and such...Boomer generation music and karaoke cruises...fun stuff.
Close Encounters Ecotours in Friday Harbor, Washington
closeencountersecotours.com

JAG wrote:

An absolute beauty! Love the lines and I bet she's a joy to captain.
JAG

Thanks for all the positive feedback. All the kudos have been the best part of getting this very long project in the water.

The boat is surprisingly responsive. I like to take the engines up to about 1200 RPM and then firewall the throttles. The engines come up pretty quickly and then at about 2300 the turbos kick in and...well....you better be hanging on!

Thanks again to all who have responded...made my day!

Tim
Well done on the invent/fabrication of the ghost drive. Awesome!
I think that it is just fantastic that you have brought her back to life and are willing to share with others through tours/cruises.
What a wonderful surprise for my wife when I can book an outing with you. I will definately be in touch.
Thanks again. What a treat.
Neil

Stunning - what beautiful lines!
Congratulations!!

Peter
in Denver

Tim
I went to the website and it looks great.
I talked to my daughter in Portland and she is going to help me with the surprise for my wife.
Her birthday is in July and it looks like we will be booking then.
We, of course, will book through the site. It is looking like there will be four of us.
I can't wait to meet you and see the Skagit "in the flesh".

I will be in Thom's neck of the woods on the way up from Portland and I will talk to him then and see if I can stop and visit. I missed him at Thanksgiving, though he did give me guidance over the phone about some Towers.
Neil

An absolutely stunning boat. Drive systems are super. Is there a relationship between the model and Saratoga, NY, just a little north of us?

crosbyboat wrote:

An absolutely stunning boat. Drive systems are super. Is there a relationship between the model and Saratoga, NY, just a little north of us?

Out here in Puget Sound we have Saratoga Passage which runs between the mainland and Whidbey Island.

During the first showing of the Skagit 31 in Seattle Boat Show in 1957, a contest was held to name the Skagit 31 model. Winner won a completely equipped Skagit 14. Winning name: Saratogan...

Tim

I think I've been there. Was out to the Island Boat Shop on Whidbey Island, and we stayed at the Capt. Whidbey Inn years ago. And been to Vashon Island which was like a pilgrimage. When we married in 1973 Redbook magazine ran a Christmas issue all about Christmas on Vashon Island. My wife still has the issue in plastic inserts and uses recipes from it every year.

Again, that Saratogan is about the best classic looker I've seen on the site in the last 11+ years. A true beauty.

Amazing. We are not worthy.

If I ever make it out there, I definitely want to go out on a cruise.

very stunning boat,can you post pics of the interior,i would love to see it,john

There are some in the Gallery John, here's the link;
www.fiberglassics.com/gallery/category/174-1959-skagit-31-saratogan.html

thanks mark,boy that boat is beautiful,what a great restoration,john

Just when I think I've seen the most beautiful ever..... another one comes along! Oh to be in Washington to see her in real life. I bet it takes your breath away.

Neil, you've got one lucky wife. Think you can keep the surprise till her birthday?

She is absolutely stunning. Wish they would have made a few more so I might have a chance at one. Hope to see it in person one of these days.

Tim,
Absolutely phenominal job!!!! That is one beautiful boat.

Bob

I will do my best to keep the surprise from the Mrs. Don't you guys tell her!
I have also invited a couple that live in the Seattle area.
They have been in the San Juan's before and say that it is beautiful.
I can't wait.
Neil

That's MY kind of restification - classic original looks combined with state of the art engineering improvements! A top-tier lake rod!!! CONGRATS!

Sea Magazine story on the 31 Skagit Saratogan hit the news stands yesterday. Here is a link to the online edition.

bit.ly/fKW7UR

Tim

WOW! When I stand next to my old 1958 Skagit 20.....I suddenly feel so small.
That is a thing of beauty. I am amazed! I recall years back seeing the process of the restore, but to have her on the water and in such fine form must be something of a surreal experience.

They say that every skipper who has poured his heart and soul into his boat feels a part of her. I imagine that feeling her push you along with the wind in your face has brought a tear or two.

Well done! You deserve a medal!!!!!!!!

Thanks Mike! Surreal is a good description of having a boat that was this big inanimate object for over twenty years, finally come alive.

Two days ago I was headed off island, but missed the eight o'clock ferry. I had a four hour wait for the next boat, so I jumped into the Skagit and took her for a little spin.

There was a fresh wind and a one foot chop. I blasted around for 20 minutes, running flat out into the chop. The boat punches through the chop like it's not there. A few hours later the wind came up to 60. I was aboard the ferry crossing Rosario Strait. One of the rougher ferry crossings I've experienced in 35 years living in the islands. Was glad the Saratogan was safely secured to the dock.

Had the boat out on my birthday (Feb 9) and ran down to Jones Island...about 5 miles. Started smelling something...like a burn barrel about half way there. Once secured to the mooring buoy, I opened the engine hatch and noted the port stuffing box smoking.
Poured water on it for five minutes before it was cool enough to touch. So one of the first modifications will be to install Norscot stuffing boxes.

A few days after that I was doing tight turns at cruise speed. I'd run 18.5 knots (20 mph) and just crank the wheel hard over. The boat just leans slightly into the turn and goes around as if on rails. About 90 foot diameter circle and only looses one knot of speed. Can hear a rumble at the stern, but no vibration or propeller slippage. That same day I had it up to 15.5 knots on one engine. Amazing!

The Saratogan has a robust and solid feel with an excess of power.
My confidence level is going up. The boat is very easy to dock.

So far so good!

Tim

OK......I am sure it isn't just me, but reading your description of how well she handles brings to memory the first time I took a boat out. That feeling of fear, excitement and downright rush that comes along with it still gives me chills just like I am actually there.

I am a long way from you Tim, but someday I am going to come pay you a visit and see her in person. Keep us posted!

A true piece of history brought back to life!!!!

I've been aware that the link to the Sea Magazine article doesn't work. My son Barry gave me this link that takes you to the exact page. Try this:

bit.ly/fKW7UR

Tim

Mr. McSkagit Sir;
I am 79 years young. I live near Reno, NV. I have gone to the Classic Boat show at Lake Tahoe a few times. I have had the pleasure of going aboard the Thunderbird. It is unreal. Beautiful wood and brushed stainlees steel.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing your Saratogan in person, but from the pictures that I have seen, she is right up there with the Thunderbird. It's not wood and stainlees steel, but Class is Class.
I'm not sure how the Karma thing works, but I finnaly pushed the green thumb, and one Karma came up. I think every one is too much in aaah of your boat to push the green thumb.
I'll bet your daughter is very proud to have her name on that beautiful boat.
Thank you again for bring her back.
old darb

Hello Old Darb,
I was looking at some pictures of Thunderbird a week or two ago. She is in a class and category all her own. To mention the Skagit Saratogan in the same breath as the Thunderbird is quit a compliment. Sweet Zoanna has only been in the water four months and is still in shakedown. Not sure when or if I'll bring it down to Lake Tahoe, but I guess it could happen.

Thank you for the Karma! Really appreciate the kudos. On really long projects, there are times when one questions the sanity of such involvement. For me, the Skagit 31 has always been about the lines and proportions. It's poetry in motion.....or.....standing still.

Thanks again,

Tim Jones
Friday Harbor



old darb wrote:

Mr. McSkagit Sir;
I am 79 years young. I live near Reno, NV. I have gone to the Classic Boat show at Lake Tahoe a few times. I have had the pleasure of going aboard the Thunderbird. It is unreal. Beautiful wood and brushed stainlees steel.
I have not had the pleasure of seeing your Saratogan in person, but from the pictures that I have seen, she is right up there with the Thunderbird. It's not wood and stainlees steel, but Class is Class.
I'm not sure how the Karma thing works, but I finnaly pushed the green thumb, and one Karma came up. I think every one is too much in aaah of your boat to push the green thumb.
I'll bet your daughter is very proud to have her name on that beautiful boat.
Thank you again for bring her back.
old darb

Tim,

I gave a talk at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum about the "Earliest Fiberglass Cruisers -- Winner and Dyer to Hatteras & Bertam," but in the center of the talk was a focus on Skajit and Bell Boy, the west coast pioneers with cabin cruisers.

I am retiring next year, and want to restore a cruiser (have plenty of smaller boats, including a 17 foot 1959 Larson Thunderhawk, Sr, and a 1974 Boston Whaler Outrage 21. BTW, each of my daughters have 14 foot 1959 and 1960 Larson Falls Flyers that I have restored. In a nutshell, I am passionate about early fiberglass cruisers, and would like to own and restore one of the most beautiful 1950s boats ever built (Thank you, Howard Roberts).

So, please, let's start a dialogue about the unrestored Saratogan, that I would like to restore and cruise on the East Coast, with my wife of 44 years.

Best regards,
Jeff Beard in Galesville, MD
(202) 651-0671