July 1, 2023 - We received the following email from Michael Leonard. We stand by for updates,

Hi Ron,

Yesterday, I officially purchased hull #90 from Russ King in Rio Vista, CA. I also purchased a trailer from Jim Sutro (Duckling) in Half Moon Bay last Sunday. In the next few weeks, I'll sail #90 to the Stockton Sailing Club, haul it out at Ladd's Marina (to check the centerboard) and place it on the trailer. I'll transport it four miles to my shop behind my home where I'll begin an extensive refit..

This boat's been used quite a bit since 1968 and shows its years. I'll keep you informed of the progress.

Regards,

Michael E. Leonard
Stockton Sailing Club member
Farallon 29 (East Bay Boatworks custom)
Herreshoff Prudence 23 (Jim Parkins build)
Yankee Dolphin #90

Welcome Aboard Michael!

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August 10, 2023 - We have the following update from Michael - he sent in several more photos but they did not download correctly.....

Hi Ron,

This is an update on Yankee Dolphin #90 with photos. July 16, 2023, my 14-year-old daughter and I moved the sailboat about 30 miles from Rio Vista to the Stockton Sailing Club. High temperature that day was 107 degrees F. No wind. The trip took about six hours. Hoisting the main allowed some relief from the sun. Power supplied by a Mercury outboard at full throttle. Cool photo of the bridge being lifted at 3 Mile Slough at the junction with the Sacramento River. That was Task #1. Completed.

Next was removing the mast. This was made easier by using the boat hoist at the sailing club.Task #2 completed.

Prepping the trailer required de-rusting the trailer keel plate, sawing a new plank for the keel support, and replacing rusted bunk bolts with new. The old bolts were severely rusted and two of the twelve sheered off at the head. I tried to easy-out them, even using a torch, but in the end drilled them out and rethreaded. I usually have more success this way (rethreading) and this worked out great. Now the bunks were adjustable. Task #3 completed.

The boat was hauled at Ladd's Marina and placed on the trailer. This allowed me to access the centerboard and answer some questions as to why the centerboard control line was cut. Half of the centerboard is missing. What is there is plywood and fiberglass. I will build a new one from the dimensions detailed on our Dolphin site using the Yankee setup. This will be easier than trying to drill through the lead keel. Maybe someone can talk me out of this if they feel the original S&S designed pin placement will yield better racing results? Task #4 completed.

My daughter and I trailer the boat across the road to the sailing club and parked it for the next 10 days. I had to build the mast supports during this time. They were built, and I scheduled a time to place the mast on the trailered boat. Task #5 completed.

The boat was moved August 4, 2023 to my home and shop. It's a tight squeeze, but made manageable by using a front hitch on my Ford F 150. It's now sitting right next to my shop where I'll do a total refit. My neighbor helped with navigating the trailer back through the gate and he just so happens to be a capable woodworker and seasoned sailer (Malcolm Fortune - see his escapades on the Alden 44 Thistle via Youtube). Task #6 completed.

There is much to do to bring this boat back. All exterior wood will likely be replaced (someone loved sanding the teak!) since the teak boards are thin. I may be able to save the toe rail? Thru-hulls to be replaced (some are even frozen). New paint and finishing of topsides, deck and cabin, and interior painting and replacing wood trim where needed. New wiring, panel and lights. Mast and boom refit and paint as well as new standing rigging, running rigging, and sails. New motor. Oh, yes... and a new centerboard. I've done all of this before on my 30-footer while it was at Ladd's, so I'm looking forward to completing this on my home turf.

That's the update for #90. It will have a new name later this year.

Regards,

Michael

Above - a 3 mile slough bridge Right - tucked away

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This islthe history we have on Tessie

September 8, 2020 - Patti and Russ King are the new owners of Yankee #90, formerly Will Stedden's Ioni (click here to go to her page). Here is Russ' email and some photos.

Hi Ron,

Thank you for your website. I'm happy to let you know that my wife, Patty, and I are the new owners of Hull #90. We purchased her from Will Stedden a couple weeks ago.

Two days ago we sailed (mostly motored) her from San Mateo to Rio Vista CA, via Vallejo - a two day trip. It was very enjoyable and we fell in love with the boat. Delta Marina in Rio Vista is only 25 min from our house and has a small but capable boat yard. We plan to haul her out and eventually take her to our house where I have a well equipped wood shop, soon to become a fiberglass shop.

Other than just restoration work and some refitting, I'm planning to compartmentalize some of the lockers, build a hard dodger and modify the outboard well so the motor can tilt up.I bought a fixer-upper trailer for $400. It came with a sad old Del Rey 24.

If you know anyone who wants a free sailboat, let me know. Lol.

Fixing the trailer up will be easy. Getting it registered will be the tricky part. We plan to rename the boat "Tessie" after my tough little dog I had in college. Funny coincidence: I was reading the history of hull #90 on your website and at one time she actually sank in her slip in Lake Tahoe and was raised. My wife is from South Lake Tahoe and Tessie is also the name of a local legend, Tahoe Tessie, the Tahoe version of Nessie, of Loch Ness fame. So there you go. I think the name will fit.

I'm attaching some photos from our trip and will keep you updated on her progress. Thanks again for your website I have found some valuable resources about trailers and many other great topics.Expect lots of questions. My previous boat was a 1961 Snipe.

Sincerely,

Russ King

	Click on these photos for a larger image

Welcome Aboard Patti and Russ!

Stay Tuned

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