Boat Details

Design
Designed by L.E.”Ted” Geary and built in 1928 by Lake Union Dry Dock in Seattle, WA, EMMELINE has always been in the Puget Sound region and still retains her original name. In fact, EMMELINE is likely one of the most original Dream Boats in existence, having had no significant modifications to her structure or accommodations. This is borne out by looking at Geary’s design drawings, reduced copies of which are mounted on the partition opposite the galley stove.

Hull Construction

General Note: All recent restoration work (since 1997) has been done with the intention of keeping the vessel as original as possible, as it was determined that very few or no alterations had been done up to that time. Copies of the original design drawings, obtained in 2006, for the pilothouse version of the Lake Union Dream Boat confirm the original general layout, with minor variations attributed to the builder. Virtually all of the original Teak trim was removed as necessary, restored, and reinstalled. The Interior structure and joinery was treated likewise. Exceptions are noted in the text below.

The hull is conventional Carvel plank-on-frame construction, with Douglas Fir planking over Oak frames. The original keel is Fir. Hull work completed in 2020 included new shaft log, horn timber, and aft floor timbers in way of shaft log, all of Purple Heart. In addition the bronze shaft strut was replaced at that time.

The foredeck has Fir deck beams and Fir T&G planking, covered with painted canvas over ship’s felt. The pilothouse and foredeck trim is Teak; the rubrails are Ironbark. Side decks have Fir subdeck framing with full-width Teak decking, terminating at the stern with a conventional laid Teak aft deck.

The pilothouse cabin sides are solid Teak. The aft cabin top has Yellow Cedar beams with Cedar T&G planking with ¼” plywood overlay, covered with painted canvas over ship’s felt.

The aft cabin sides are full length Fir boards with ½” thick exterior Teak overlay. The roof has Oak beams with Fir T&G planks, covered with ship’s felt and painted canvas. Exterior trim is Teak.

Following the work in 2020 to replace frames in the aft cabin, new varnished Sapele floorboards were installed to replace the original painted Fir floorboards.

EMMELINE was hauled out in 2023 for fresh topside and bottom paint as well as new zincs.

Interior Layout

EMMELINE boasts a roomy, beautifully restored interior with over six-foot headroom throughout most of the boat. EMMELINE has a fairly standard tri-cabin arrangement, starting with a head and chain locker in the forepeak. The forward sleeping cabin has a bunk on each side, with drawers and hanging lockers for storage. A ladder leads up to the wheelhouse and two bench seats. A ladder leads aft down to the galley to port, with an icebox and another head to starboard. There is a roomy aft cabin with a settee/bunk on each side. A varnished, folding dining table can be mounted between the settees; it stows in the aft head when not in use. A ladder leads up to the aft deck. The ladder is removable to access the lazarette.