32' Kettenburg PC Class Sloop (1931) - DAWN

The Kettenburg PC (Pacific Class) was designed, and the first hull built in 1929 here on Shelter Island. The yachts were designed to best serve the Southern California winds and waters. The first boats (built as One Designs) were built to compete with the Herrshoff S Class boats, sailing on the East Coast. The PC’s were so well received, that building continued until the early 1950’s. While still under construction, the hull numbers assigned were up into the 80’s. Smaller fleets sailed in Hawaii, the Seattle area and Los Angeles but clearly, the largest fleet has always been here in San Diego. Local sailors have enjoyed these yachts continually since their inception. A renewed interest and revival occurred in the mid 1990’s. San Diego sailors have put strong effort (and dollars!!!) into saving these vessels, due to their sea worthiness and beautiful lines. The San Diego fleet now numbers 24 boats.

Kettenburg PC #16, DAWN, was built in 1931. The first owner was 16 year old E. Scofield Bonnet. Sco was one of the early members of the San Diego Yacht Club PC Fleet. He sailed with the greats such as George Kettenburg Jr., Paul Kettenburg, Doug Giddings, Wally Springstead, Joe Jessop, George Jessop, Hilyard Brown and many others. Before the club docks were built, “Sco” remembers the guys tying their boats up to bay buoys before San Diego’s “Shelter Island” came into being. Sco sailed DAWN for several years until he left for the war to become a pilot.
She changed hands a few times over the years, until accomplished SDYC sailor (who would later complete medical school and passed on in 2003 due to a cardiac event) Chuck Eaton. Chuck was the youngest skipper ever to win the PC Nationals. As proof of his skill, you can read Chuck’s name on the PC Nationals Trophy 11 times!! Of those successes, Chuck sailed DAWN (then WHITE MYTH) during 5 trophy winning years.

Eventually DAWN fell into disrepair. Owners sailed her regularly, however money spent for maintenance and/or improvements was sparse. In 1999, in a blow, DAWN suffered a common PC injury. Fasteners gave way and she lost two chain stays, resulting in the breaking of the mast and some hull damage. The owners of the boat were frustrated with the condition of the vessel and unwilling to pay for restoration, thus #16 was purchased by Richard S. “Rish” Pavelec. Rish, with the help of friend C. F. Koehler (and his crew at KoehlerKraft in San Diego), has been instrumental in saving many of the derelict PC’s. His first boat, #63 PUFF, restored by Koehler in 1998, continues to be a lovely yacht. Anyone who has seen her will understand why she has a shelf full of trophies and honors. With the help of Dana Hardy (also a Master Shipwright), Koehler and his crew began the restoration of DAWN, in 2003. Ample time was given for the “drying out” period and to determine the extent to which original wood could be saved. In fact, the years, and lack of upkeep, had taken their toll. The only pieces worth saving were the keel, deadwood and a very few floor timbers. In that Koehler has been responsible for the restoration of 4-5 other PC’s, he had the forms necessary give true shape to the hull once the new planks were fitted. A “Whiskey Plank” ceremony was held in June, 03 at the annual San Diego Wooden Boat Festival (sponsored each year by KoehlerKraft) when Dana and CF invited Rish to put in the last plan fastener. (read…. it cost Rish $100.00 worth of good whiskey!!)

From 2003-2005 the 32’ PC Class Sloop was completely reconstructed on a female mold lofted from the original Kettenburg lines by Koehler Kraft. An entirely new boat was built from the keel up using a proprietary epoxy wood composite method. She is now available for sale. Contact 619.222.0981. Asking $50,000