In this feature, The Log looks at notable boats — sail and power — that continue to turn heads in Southern California harbors.
Boat name: Gracie
Length: 36 ft.
Draft: 2 ft.
Beam: 11 ft.
Year Built: 1950
Background: Not much is known about the mysterious Ed Monk design – now dubbed Gracie – even by her current owner, Larry Walker. However, Walker has pieced together as much as he could about this classic wooden beauty, which was built by a Washington-based boat builder named Bud Fodor more than 60 years ago.
“The boat came from Washington State, just south of Seattle,” Walker stated. “The [previous] owner had owned her for 18 years and kept her in a boathouse. She was in fine shape, but has been a challenge to maintain the brightwork in California because of dryness and a need to cover nearly all of her with canvas, which comprises of 12 pieces put together like a jigsaw puzzle.”
Mentioning the most admirable qualities Gracie has, Walker added: “Gracie’s most outstanding feature is her design, which was done by Ed Monk, perhaps the most admired marine architect of his day. His designs have a distinctive look that catches the eye of any old boat enthusiast.”
A Boat...