The Sea Voyager

Sea Voyager

Built in 1973 at a yard in Junction City, Oregon 
Owner: Mike Russell
San Francisco, California

Email: spottedhuman@yahoo.com

LOA: 49' (Including the bowsprit)
LWL: 32'
Beam: 13'6"
Draft: 5' 6"
Disp.: 17 Tons
Manufacturer: Unknown boatyard, Junction City, Oregon
Engine: 58 hp Isuzu/4 cylinders
Sleeps: 6
Home Port: San Diego, CA.
Soon to be home ported in San Francisco

The Sea Voyager is obviously every bit a Sea Witch though there are some subtle differences when compared with Wilbos and Hong Kong builds that have come to my attention. She was built in a professional yard in Oregon, and obviously to the highest standards. Unlike all other Sea Witches, she has bent frames rather than sawn. She also has a centered propeller shaft.

Jimmy Kenniston saved the Sea Voyager from "demolition because it seemed too precious to watch it be destroyed." Because finding a slip in or around San Diego proved impossible, Jimmy put the Voyager up for sale, and it was purchased by Alasdair Moodie and Karen Vincent, of Melbourne, Australia (February 2007).

Alasdair planned to sail the Sea Voyager to Australia where he intend to do more restoration work. Unfortunately, a thorough survey convinced Alasdair that a voyage to Australia would be too risky, and Alasdair's dream crashed. Sea Voyager was again put on the market.

In early May, 2007, Mike Russell became Sea Voyager's new owner, and he plans to take the Sea Voyager to San Francisco where he intends to do the restoration work needed to bring Sea Voyager back up to full flower. Mike has been sailing in that area for some 30 years. He wrote:

"As soon as I can get her ready I will take her home to what, as indicated by the signage on her stern, was once her home port of San Francisco. I will tether her in a slip at the Oyster Point Marina and hopefully get the majority of the critical restorative work done before this fall."

"...I will be very interested in tapping into the Sea Witch community for advise as I do my best to make her fully seaworthy. This boat has a lot of personality and I look forward to getting her out under sail."

We heard from Mike again in September 2007 and learn that he's making significant progress. The news of Sea Voyager is all good, and she's on the road back to prime. Here's some of what Mike has to say:

"...I have made some progress on Sea Voyager and also have some pictures. I will give it to you in a nutshell now and provide more detail (later)...

19 November, 2007 Progress report: Here are some recent pictures of the masts for Sea Voyager. As you can see, they look like new, actually, I doubt seriously that they ever looked this good when they were new. The folks at Svendsen’s in Alameda, did an exceptional job. I will follow through and work with them on a schedule to stand the masts right after Thanksgiving. I will take photos of that event and send them along. Regards, Mike
7 December, 2007 Progress Photos. Masts have been shipped.

"...I had Koehler Kraft, (Shelter Island, San Diego), do a complete bottom job on Sea Voyager, taking her hull, (from the water line down), down to the wood. She looked in very good condition and her Port Orford Cedar planking is beautiful.
     "All Sea Cocks and through hulls were replaced with all new state of the art bronze fittings. They also added 1, 1 ½" sea cock fitting on the stern for the manual bilge pump. The hull was sanded and repainted from the rub rails down.
     "Based on the fact the she still requires work on the decking and based on the voice of experience, (C.F. Koehler at Koehler Kraft), I elected not to risk taking her up the coast to the SF Bay area where she is currently birthed and where her transom hailing port insignia had prophetically heralded her destiny. So, I contracted Moger Yacht Transport to relocate her to Svendsen's Boat Works where the masts are currently being fully restored. I  ...attached photos on them taken down to the wood. They look remarkably good, certainly good enough to leave them in wood and varnish them, but based on other expert advice I am going to have them painted to lower my maintenance upkeep with a goal to sail more and work on the boat less.
     "The hardware for the masts and bowsprits will be sand blasted, re-galvanized, etched and painted for maximum protection. While Svendsen's is restoring my masts I am restoring the bow sprits, dolphin striker and spreaders and have made new Sampson Posts.

"The shrouds, pin rails, rat lines, baggie wrinkle, etc., will also get some needed attention.

"I have also done work on the diesel: When I purchased her it was necessary to use a jumper cable the heat up the glow plug rail to start the engine. This was obviously less than ideal. I added a starter solenoid that is mounted to the engine immediately adjacent to the glow plug rail and used number 4 copper battery cable with properly crimped and shrink tubed ends from the battery to the solenoid and from the solenoid to the glow plug rail. I installed a new ignition switch in the cockpit and all new wiring for the pick circuit.

"I also bought and installed a new Raycor fuel filtration system with two transparent filter/separators with a 3 way valve, and stainless catch bowls along with an auxiliary 12 volt primer pump. The old filter pot was hard to access and would create a big mess to change filters, require the engine to be not running during filter changes, would need a full prime etc. This is a HUGE improvement!

"Additionally a good friend and retired former co-worker of mine, Stephen Tuttle, has done the research for me for sealing and painting materials which will be a short term solution to sealing the foredeck, cabin top and toe rails until I can get to the needed work on the decking. The materials are military marine grade and will provide the proper sealing and non-slip surfaces that will allow me to get to the decking issues at a later date where time and cost issues are less prohibitive.

"The day that she was taken off the truck and lowered into the water at Svendsen's boat works by Tim who has run the travel lift there for 25 years or more, I was immediately reminded of the movie, 'A River Runs Through It.' Whereas the original plan had been for the boat to be picked up in San Diego Monday and delivered Wed that week, as it turned out there were complications with the highway permits and the boat was out of the water for 6 days.
     "Tim, having experience with the sinking feeling that befalls first time wooden boat owners was quick to have one of the yard guys to fetch an auxiliary 120, 1 ½" pump. I spent the night on the boat and literally dreamt of waking up treading water and things floating around the salon.
     "Thankfully, by the next day the leaks had subsided substantially and I was able to motor her from Alameda to South SF with that little Nissan 4 cyl diesel purring like a kitten at about 7.5 knots.
     "I'll include a picture that shows my propwash. Her barn door rudder made for a smooth trip across the bay. My fellow sailing friend with his Union 36 double ended chase vehicle under full sail could not keep up with us, (there was plenty of wind).

      "I have learned a lot along the way and have come to realize that I had underestimated what an undertaking I committed myself to both time wise and money wise. Having said that, she is a beautiful boat and the esthetics and visual queues that first attracted me to her are only getting better.
     "I had her at the annual Wooden Boat Show on Father's Day, (Hosted by Koehler Kraft), and she obviously took no ribbons. I have seen the Sea Witch in pristine condition and this is not my goal for Sea Voyager. I want to retain a certain Black Pearl pirate like quality to her appearance. I plan to conceal as much of the modernization as possible under the covers.

     "The sails are currently at the sail makers being inspected and repaired as needed. I hope to re-stand her masts and get her under sail by the end of October.

     "There remains much to be done but I am committed to keep her in ship shape and to get family and friends on board for a maiden sail as soon as possible. There's good sailing on the SF Bay in October-Dec as the winds are more moderate and steady.

    "That's all I have time for at the moment. I'll keep in touch. Let me know if you have any questions, need clarification, want more pictures etc...
     "I am also sending you a picture of the tattoo I got right after I bought the boat. It is an indication as to my commitment to this project and was very artistically done by Josh at Wild Bills Tattos in Roseville, Ca.

Regards,

Mike

Obviously, Mike is sufficiently committed, and Sea Voyager is in good hands. We'll be anxiously awaiting more photos and progress updates. Great work Mike!

OLDER PHOTOS OF
SEA VOYAGER PHOTOS
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