A Gem of a "GEM"

They say that the happiest days in a boater's life are when they buy a boat and when they sell a boat. So, if both happen a day apart, does that make the boater doubly happy?

Yes, after having her for 22 years we sold the Lady Mick last month. It was sad to see her go after so many great times and adventures aboard (not to mention the hours and hours of work on her). She was our home for 16 years. Yet. the next day we bought the Gem, a 1932 Stimson Dreamboat, all 26 feet of her are a real classic!

It all happened this way. We had Lady Mick flyers posted up all over, one spot being the notice board at the Wooden Boat Foundation in Port Townsend. We were up there this September for the annual not-to-be-missed Wooden Boat Festival. Parking being tight, June hopped out of the car to see if, hopefully, our flyer was still up. It was, but "you've got to see this other one on the board." I parked and did. It was for Gem. Bitten, we got in touch with her owner, and to make long story short, we made a conditional offer on her.




The buyers of Lady Mick live in Olympia, as do the sellers of Gem, so as we delivered Lady Mick that afternoon in Olympia we took possession of Gem that evening (we had done sea trials and a survey prior).

Gem has a rather unknown history. She was reportedly built in 1932 at the Stimson Boat Works, Seattle. There is the Stimson Marina on the Ballard side of Seattle's Ship Canal, right next to Kovich-Williams, which also built boats. Gem may well have been a work boat, for she had a quarter-berth in the wheel house and galley forward and below. From a scant log book, she was originally gas powered with her present Yanmar 27 hp diesel engine installed early 1980's. Jerry Anderson, from whom we bought her, has done a simply marvelous job of restoring her! Jerry was, and is, a master craftsman.

The galley has now been relocated to the wheelhouse, a marvelous stovetop/heater (Wallas) installed.

Opposite the helm seat is a "first mate's" seat. Aft of the wheelhouse is an open cockpit

What was the galley area now has two single bunks with a head forward.

Admittedly, Gem is a very different vessel for us after the 46' Lady Mick. No longer needing the size for living aboard, we're now looking forward to a smaller, simpler boat just for cruising (not to mention maintaining).

Any suggestions, hints, rumors, scuttlebutt as to Gem's lineage would be much appreciated. In the meanwhile, we're proud to be her current stewards.

If all goes as planned, hopefully you may see Gem next September at the Port Townsend's Wooden Boat Festival, if not before at the Classic Yacht Association's rendezvous at Seattle's Pier 66 next June, if we're invited. For now, Gem enjoys her new covered slip at the Port of Edmonds.

Yes, it was a double happy day!

Galley, starboard side of the wheelhouse. Drawers still have to be made.

Nice drop windows.

A classic.

First mate's side of the wheelhouse.

Side decks a bit narrow.