PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — The first time Bob Irving saw the 1928-vintage wooden boat he launched in Port Orchard this week, it didn’t look like a Sea Queen. That’s the model name for the 30-foot cabin cruiser he found in the backyard of a boat-repair shop on Vashon Island.
Although a previous owner had replaced much of the rotted wood, the boat still needed repair from stem to stern, had no engine, and was collecting rainwater in its hull.
Irving told The Seattle Times he knew the boat needed work, but he figured it would take a few years, maybe three.
The process actually took 18 years until he was able to relaunch the vessel this week.
