“Apparently the builder of a boat acts under a compulsion greater than himself. Ribs are strong by definition and feeling. Keels are sound, planking truly chosen and set. A man builds the best of himself into a boat – builds many of the unconscious memories of his ancestors.”
The Log from the Sea of Cortez
The Restoration
Photo credit: Port Townsend Shipwrights Cooperative
Between 2015 and 2024, the Western Flyer Foundation led the extraordinary restoration of the iconic fishing vessel, the Western Flyer. When our founder, John Gregg, found her, she’d been through a lot — decades of neglect, several dramatic sinkings, and plenty of barnacle buildup. It was clear she needed more than just a fresh coat of paint.
Working with expert shipwrights, craftspeople, engineers, and a passionate crew of supporters, we brought the Flyer back to life — not as a museum piece, but as a working vessel with a new mission: inspiring the next generation of scientists, artists, and explorers.
Restoration Goals
This wasn’t your average boat repair. Our restoration aimed to:
- Recreate the vessel’s 1937 look and feel
- Use sustainably sourced wood (approved by the Forest Stewardship Council)
- Install a hybrid-electric propulsion system to tread lightly on the planet
- Outfit the Flyer for modern education and research
- Future-proof the design for tech upgrades
- Build for another 50 years before she needs major work again
We recruited the Port Townsend Shipwrights Cooperative, a team of skilled craftspeople who took on the painstaking rebuild of the vessel’s wooden structure. Over several years, they replaced nearly 90% of the hull and 10% of the wheelhouse using sustainably sourced wood, helping restore the Flyer’s historic form while preparing her for a new chapter.
The vessel was relaunched in June 2022, then underwent additional mechanical upgrades in Seattle before arriving in her new home at Moss Landing in Monterey Bay. She now features a state-of-the-art onboard lab — the Chuck Baxter Lab — funded in part by the California Coastal Conservancy.
In 2023, the Western Flyer was honored with the Classic Boat Award for Best Restored Power Vessel — a testament to the extraordinary work of everyone involved.
You can view much of the restoration work in our series of YouTube videos and in a presentation by Tim Lee and Pete Rust of the PTSC from Monterey’s Cannery Row Days 2023.
The Work Continues
Restoration may be finished, but caring for a wooden boat — especially one with such a legacy — is never really done. It takes daily attention, a whole lot of elbow grease, and a healthy dose of love.
Our stewardship includes:
- Regular maintenance to keep the vessel seaworthy and safe
- System and equipment upgrades to support cutting-edge science
- Continued care for the hull, deck, and engine room
- Ensuring safe, meaningful access for students, scientists, and curious minds of all ages
With your support, we can keep the Flyer floating, exploring, and inspiring for decades to come.
Join our community of supporters and be part of this living legacy.