Yacht Marabell gets new planking

Wooden Yacht Marabell In For Repairs

July 12, 2019

While looking walking past the Point Hope Maritime shipyards in Victoria Harbour I came upon the 129ft Yacht Marabell.

129ft Yacht Marabell in for repairs at the Point Hope Maritime shipyards in Victoria Harbour

The Marabell was built in 1943 at as Newport Beach California USA by South Coast Construction as the U.S.S. Y.M.S. 91; then Marabell. In 1943 she was owned by the United States Navy. In 1949 she was owned by Dr. William Ballard (Dr. Ballard’s Animal Foods), Vancouver BC. In 1953–1971 she was owned by The Ministry of Mines & Technical Surveys, Ottawa ON. In 1972–1978 she was owned by Lacerte Holdings Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1979–1980 she was owned by Marabell Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1982–2001 she was owned by Sealand of the Pacific Ltd., Victoria BC. In 2003–2016 she was owned by Oak Bay Marina Ltd. Victoria BC. In 2016 she was owned by Dane Developments Ltd., Courtenay BC.

MarabellPhoto by Dirk Septer

In 1978 the Marabell welcomed its first fishing guests to Hakai Pass. The classic minesweeper did wartime duty and is rumoured to have sunk a Japanese submarine. Today she spends her time anchored at Langara Island in Haida Gwaii.

Alex Provan

The Marabell is a converted hydrographic survey vessel of wood construction. The boat deck consists of an extensive foredeck leading to a raised wheelhouse followed by accommodations and lounges. The after portion of the boat deck consists of a small exterior area surrounded by stanchions and handrails. The weather deck consists of accommodation spaces, an after saloon, a galley, and a stowage area.

Photo By Captain Alex Provan

Since 2016 she has been privately owned by Dane Developments Ltd., Courtenay BC

Related Articles


New Boats: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 – A Sleek, Good -Looking Delight To Sail

By Katherine Stone

There is nothing more that I enjoy than being with friends and messing about in boats. Messing about in brand-new boats on a champagne sailing day on Lake Ontario at the beginning of the summer doesn’t get any better. To have the new owner, Helmuth Strobel and Anchor Yachts dealer Pancho Jimenez aboard made it even more special, as they can also speak to what they truly enjoy about the boat. We keep our own boat in a harbour that has a long waiting list for boats over 35 feet, so this little gem would definitely fit the bill and feels like a much bigger boat. True to the spirit of the 7th generation Oceanis line, the 34.1 is built in Poland and replaces the 35.1. It is 1,000 lbs lighter, 14 cm narrower and has 29% more sail area.

Read More


Destinations

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has Reopened

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has opened its rebuilt and re-envisioned luxury private island in 2024 after the property closures from the Virgin Islands’ 2017 hurricane season. Peter Island Resort has been undergoing its transformation for over six years. Its evolution includes brand new and upgraded accommodations and new state-of-the-art facilities and five stellar beaches amid hundreds of acres of unspoiled tropical island.

Peter Island Yacht Club

The new Yacht Club will be a must on the itineraries of sailors, boaters and yachtsmen with a marina that can accommodate a range of vessels from power boats, sailboats and catamarans, to super yachts of up to 200 feet. Located in Sprat Bay harbor, the Yacht Club will be its own destination with a dedicated swimming pool for Yacht Club guests, Drunken Pelican restaurant and bar, a commissary, Sea Chest Boutique and a sports recreation area with pickleball, basketball and bocce ball courts and a lawn-games area. To protect the coral reef and marine life surrounding the island, moorings will be located in White Bay, Sprat Bay, Deadman’s Bay…

Read More