User:4450jamie/M/V Katherine Jane

M/V Katherine Jane is a 58' custom built pleasure vessel with a beam of 16'6" and draft of 6'6". Commissioned in 1952 by George Mitchell of Mitchell cinematic camera fame, the yacht was built by Fellows & Stewart shipyard in Long Beach, California. KJ, as she is affectionately known, was designed by naval architect William Garden. He based the design closely on a series of vessels which he had drawn for commercial fishermen in Alaska. The 58' length overall (LOA) allowed the fishermen certain privileges and considerations extended by Alaskan commercial fishing regulations to vessels under 60'. Katherine Jane is a USCG documented vessel.

She was originally christened Beagle, as Mr. Mitchell had intended to sail her from California to the Galapagos Islands, replicating Darwin's voyage on HMS Beagle in 1831. Currently homeported in Seattle, WA, Katherine Jane has a long history of operation as a charter boat in Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert White purchased the boat in 1975 and used her as a "floating orthodontic office" to provide care to children in remote native villages. They began operating her as a charter boat in Alaska under the name Sea Comber in 1980. At that time, she was equipped with 4 Zodiac shore boats for sightseeing and regularly traveled to Juneau, Haynes, Skagway, and Glacier Bay. Artists from around the United States were invited onboard to provide guests with an added dimension to their charter cruise. The Whites owned KJ for 26 years.

Eventually Sea Comber was renamed Beagle II. Finally in 2002, she became Katherine Jane after granddaughter of the owner at that time.

Katherine Jane operates as a bareboat charter from Seattle or Anacortes, WA. She is displayed annually at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival.

Machinery and Specifications
An unusual original feature of this boat was her auxiliary sailing rig. Twin spinnakers were set for long passages when the wind was aft. Conventional ketch rigging was also used. Her tall masts have since been removed.

Original planking was 2" old growth vertical grain fir. Fuel capacity is 2900 gallons of diesel, which allows long range cruising. Fresh water capacity is 800 gallons.

Katherine Jane completed a total restoration in August 2002. The restoration included new transmissions and twin 168 hp Lugger turbo diesel engines. The hull and decks were recaulked and resealed. All bulwarks were replaced with aluminum. The rubrail was reconstructed with angelique hardwood. The caprails were built with Honduras mahogany. The aft deck canopy was replaced. New deck hatches, deck prisms, and salon top with nonskid on surface were installed. The masts were refurbished and have stainless steel rigging. All electronics were updated to include GPS, radar, and autopilot. Wiring and sanitation systems were completely replaced.