58' William Garden Expedition Yacht (1952) - JOAHNA K

The Story of JoAhna K
58’ William Garden Heavy Timber Motor Yacht – Built 1952
Few yachts carry a story as rich as JoAhna K. Designed by famed naval architect William Garden and built in 1952 by Fellows & Stewart of San Pedro, CA, she was commissioned by Oscar-winning camera designer George Mitchell to carry his family on long-range expeditions, including the Galápagos Islands. Built for adventure, she carries 3,200 gallons of fuel and 800 gallons of water, giving her an extraordinary 4,000-mile range.

A Life of Adventure
In the 1970s, JoAhna K (then Sea-Comber) was acquired by Dr. Bob White, a Seattle dentist. For more than 20 summers, Bob and his family cruised the Inside Passage and Southeast Alaska. Ever resourceful, Bob set up a small dental office and treated patients in remote villages at no charge. He also carried artists and adventurers northward, creating retreats of exploration and creativity. In return, he was gifted remarkable indigenous art, forming one of the finest private collections in the region. To this day, the yacht is fondly remembered in Alaska.

A New Era – Refit and Renewal
In 2002, the yacht (renamed Katherine Jane) underwent a year-long refit exceeding $750,000. Virtually every system was replaced or upgraded, including:
Twin Lugger 6068 diesels with Twin Disc gears, new shafts & props

Northern Lights 10 kW generator

Hurricane diesel hydronic heating throughout

All new electrical systems – 110v, 12v, inverters, and a massive house battery bank

Modern electronics

Three Vacuflush heads and new domestic plumbing

Her exterior was also transformed: new fir decks, replaced frames and planks where needed, custom aluminum bulwarks capped in Angelique hardwood, bronze railings, new masts with cargo booms and winches.

A Captain’s Yacht
Eventually she came to Capt. Jack and Joanne, her present owners. After his retirement fishing in the Bering and Arctic Seas, Capt. Jack recognized immediately what William Garden had achieved: a yacht with the beauty of a classic cruiser and the soul of a workboat. With his trusted shipwright and surveyor—after walking through every inch—said simply: “If you don’t buy her, I will.”
Now renamed JoAhna K, she has been lovingly maintained, cruised, and cared for. She represents a rare combination of pedigree, history, rugged capability, and timeless design.

Why JoAhna K Stands Apart
Proven ocean-crossing range (4,000+ miles)

Heritage design by William Garden – a name synonymous with seaworthiness and elegance

Extensive, documented refits and rebuilds – with modern systems and comforts

A storied history that spans Hollywood, Alaska, and the Pacific Coast

This is not just a boat—it is a piece of maritime history, alive and ready for her next chapter.

58’ William Garden Heavy Timber Motor Yacht – JoAhna K (1952)
Designed by the legendary William Garden and built in 1952 by Fellows & Stewart of San Pedro, JoAhna K is a rare long-range classic with timeless lines and a remarkable history. Commissioned for ocean voyaging, she carries 3,200 gallons of fuel and 800 gallons of water, giving her a true passagemaking range of over 4,000 miles. Extensively rebuilt in 2002 with over $750,000 invested, she received new twin John Deere Lugger diesels, Northern Lights genset, Hurricane hydronic heat, new shafts, props, rudder, plumbing, electrical, electronics, and more, every system upgraded for reliability.
Her carvel-planked Douglas fir hull, white oak frames, and mahogany trim have been carefully maintained and improved, with major structural work including new decks, bulwarks, railings, and custom bronze details. Accommodations include four cabins, three heads with VacuFlush, two showers, a fully equipped galley, and generous salon seating. A Thompson hydraulic winch with 330 lb. Forfjord anchors, Zodiac tender with Yamaha outboard, and classic 13’ peapod rowboat round out her equipment.
JoAhna K is not just a yacht but a piece of maritime history—a proven, beautifully restored William Garden design with the strength of a workboat and the grace of a classic cruiser. Well documented, continually upgraded, and offered with pride, she is ready for her next chapter of adventure.