26' Sprague Pocket Cruising Tug (1996) - BLUE STAR

BLUE STAR https://bluestarwoodenboat.square.site/ was contracted in 1994 to be built by a class at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, in Port Townsend and launched in 1996. She is to a design by Bainbridge Island’s Scott Sprague, which featured as a Design Note in the Nov/Dec 1981 issue of Wooden Boat Magazine. The design note provides a good overview of the concept and story behind the original boat’s design. The boat has a classic look, and is technically a Tug type. She has remained in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea area for her life so far and been well cared for. Participated in the Northwest Wooden Boat Show in 2019.

BLUE STAR is an easy boat to pilot, and will run nicely at 6 knots all day, you can cover a lot of ground at this speed burning less than ¾ gallon of diesel an hour. The cockpit is large and the wrap around galvanized steel railing provides a sense of security in the cockpit. The Pilot house has great visibility and 6’3” headroom. Forward of the Pilot house is a V-berth area under the forward deck. The interior is simple and is ready for someone to add their own touches.

The name BLUE STAR refers to the tradition of a family with a member serving in the military during a time of war displaying a Blue Star Service flag (link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_flag). I purchased the boat from a retired US Navy Commander who had a son serving in the Navy, and since my son is also in the Navy, I kept the name.

Historical other names have been:
Original name? BLUE CHIP
Second name EVENING STAR (dates unknown)
Third name HOBO (2006 – 2013)
Fourth name BLUE STAR (2013 – )

Construction

• Hull is 26’ long, Beam 10’, Draft 3’-4”, Displacement 4 tons.
• Backbone is Purpleheart, Frames Apitong 1-1/2” x 3” on 11” center spacing, fastened with galvanized steel bolts.
• Deck beams Mahogany.
• Planking is Yellow Cedar, ‘batten seam’ construction, fastened with galvanized boat nails.
• Decking is laid Douglas Fir, fastened with galvanized screws. Decking extensively refinished in 2019 and re-caulked.
• Pilot house is Douglas Fir, with Mahogany window framing.
• Oak rub rail
• Exterior fittings are a mix of original custom galvanized steel and Port Townsend Foundry bronze.
• Ballast is poured concrete.
• Mast is Douglas Fir, with galvanized wire shrouds wormed, parceled, and served by Brion Toss Rigging. Galvanized turn buckles.
• Hydraulic steering with Simrad Autopilot
• Engine Perkins Perama Type 30302J M30 (22HP) 875 hours 3 cylinder, 1.5 litre
• Propeller bronze 4-blade, 20 x 13 RH
Propeller shaft stainless steel, replaced new in 2021
• Rudder Steel
• Custom 1-5/8” galvanized steel cockpit railing by Rory’s Custom Fabrication on Bainbridge Island
• Pilothouse has 6’3” to 6’5” headroom
• Forecastle has V berth and opening hatch in roof.

Electronics, etc…
Compass
Perkins Control Panel
VHF Radio Simrad RS20
Echo Sounder Furuno LS-4100
Auto Pilot Simrad AP16 with hydraulic actuator on rudder
GPS Receiver GS-25
Chart Plotter Standard Horizon CP300i
Clock Seth Thomas
Barometer Schatz
Electric Horn
Solar powered Pilot House roof vent

Maintenance

In 2021 BLUE STAR spent a year on the hard under cover in the hands of experts at Port Townsend’s Boat Haven Marina, the project was led by shipwright Mark Stout of Scow Bay Boatworks (now an instructor at Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding), Mechanical Systems by Barry Stephens of Stephens Marine., and electrical, diesel, and systems engineering by Chris Dunn, a lot of painting and detailing by Nina Toy. The main reason for the haul out was to properly address some historical rot in the Cockpit ‘Scupper’ area, and to replace the transmission and realign the engine. However, once she was out of the water and we got underway we decided to upgrade a lot of the systems – basically we got carried away! A list of the work done is below.

In the last months of this extended haul out BLUE STAR was in the shed with ‘Tally Ho’ for final painting, and she features in video <episode 104 starting at minute 9:20 you can meet some of the people who worked on her and watch a time lapse of her hull being painted in a new color ‘Martha Green’ (a custom color created for the local schooner ‘Martha’, the oldest working sailboat on the west coast and local fixture in the Salish Sea – Nina Toy, a local fine artist, picked it), then see her re-launched.

Once back in the water BLUE STAR returned to her quiet slip in Winslow Wharf on Bainbridge Island and has perhaps run 20 hours since. Her owner has purchased a classic 1964 wooden ketch, and this is taking his attention. It is time for a new Steward for BLUE STAR. This would be a fine boat for someone who appreciates her heritage and lines, it’s been suggested she could even be a small ‘live aboard’ for a keen young person, but she’s a great day boat for fishing, crabbing, gunk holing, and generally exploring the Salish Sea. But be warned, wherever you go this boat turns heads and you’ll be engaging in conversation with the wooden boat crowd from the moment you dock.

Outline of 2021 haul out project
– Scupper repair: Planking under scuppers on both sides removed, framing repaired, new planking installed. Port side new clamp installed where it passes through cockpit bulkhead. Starboard side several planks replaced with Sapele.
– Deck stripped of paint, putty removed, cotton in seams tightened and added to, seams sanded and new Boatlife polysulfide sealant put in seams.
– Steel rudder and rudder gear removed, sand blasted, epoxy barrier coat and new paint. Rudder bearings and steering gear checked.
– Hull heavily sanded, seams re-caulked, new seam compound, new paint professionally applied.
– Transmission replaced with a new beefier unit, new shaft and cutlass bearing, new coupling to transmission. Engine aligned.
– Engine: Fuel filter moved to remote location under pilot house steps for ease of access. Oil filter remote connected and engine sump oil remote hand pump installed for easier oil changes. New belt. All filters changed. New coolant overflow reservoir. New electrical cables to Alternator and Starter. Valve clearances adjusted.
Electrical System
– All work by professional ABYC technician who upgraded shore power connection, charging system, associated cabling, bilge pumps, and salt water wash down pump.
– Smartplug shore power connection
– ProMariner ProSafe FS30 30amp Galvanic Isolator
– Blue Sea Systems ELCI Main 30A Double Pole Circuit Breaker Panel – 120V DC, 2 Breaker Positions with Voltmeter
– ProMariner ProNautic 12.20P Charger (charges House and Engine batteries, with capability for a third battery for a future anchor windlass).
– ProMariner ProIsoCharge (120Amp 3 output) 1.3 Intelligent Alternator Distribution System (prioritizes Engine battery, then House battery, with capability for a third battery for a future anchor windlass).
– New Battery mounting and boxes.
– 2x AGM Batteries new mid-2023, professionally installed: House Engine
· Blue Sea Systems m-Series Dual Circuit Plus Battery Switch 6011
· Blue Sea Systems Automatic Charging Relay
· Blue Sea Systems M2 OLED SoC Monitor 1830 Meter.
· Blue Sea Systems dedicated 12V/24 hour fuse panel for bilge pumps and alarms
– Bilges. Two new RULE 2000 bilge pumps with external bilge sensor Johnson Ultima solid state sensors, all new thru hull fittings, vents, and hoses. New high-water sensor and alarm.
– New JABSCO Hotshot HD6 salt water washdown pump, with its own new thru hull water intake.