The abstract of title shows the original name, “Ardito” dated April 4th. 1929 and sold to Pacific Finance Corporation. The yacht arrived in Los Angeles on June 28th, 1929. It is not clear how she got there but it is assumed, by rail.  There is a brass plaque on board, Yacht and Motor Sales Corporation, Wilmington, California.

Her name was changed to Isabel, March 17th, 1931. She was removed from documentation December 3, 1953, returned to documentation January 21st, 1960, and finally removed November 30th, 1971.  At some point in her history, she was donated to the City of Hope.

It is believed her name was changed to Island Runner in 1983 by John and Suzanne O’Rourke, who began her major restoration while living aboard.

Doug and Rayma Mery became Island Runner's next caretakers on February 27th, 1989, in California before shipping her to Port Townsend, Washington by truck on August 18th, 1991, where they continued her restoration and systems upgrades. The Merys cruised several months out of the year for close to 20 years and were very active in showing Island Runner with the Classic Yacht Association. Plaques and awards sharing the history of prior Puget Sound wooden boat shows are displayed onboard.

Island Runner remained berthed in Port Townsend until George Marshall rebuilt her new engine in 2014 and returned to Lake Union. In 2023, I became the most recent member of Island Runner's legacy.

Hull Construction:

Documents show the hull was originally vertical grain fir planking over steam bent-white oak frames. The hull has since been re-planked using Tamarak during a recent restoration by The Shipwright's Co-op in Port Townsend in 1993. 23 frames were sistered, and 15 floor timbers replaced according to the owners at the time. The same owners, CYA members Doug and Rayma Mery, added new butterfly hatches, toe rails, rub rails, a new transom, and a swim step.

Fine joinery work, using a variety of exotic woods, creates a rich, warm, interior. Teak cabinetry throughout the boat keeps the warm historic feel accompanied by alternating light and dark, solid wood floors in the wood enclosed saloon and beautiful arched ceiling ribs forming the extended structure overhead.

Propulsion: 

120 HP 6-354 Perkins Diesel rebuilt in 2014, originally thought to be 1974 replaced the original Kermath Model 65. Estimated: cruising speed 7 knots, max speed 10 knots.