1936 Ferry Custom

This 1936 Ferry Custom is a 150-foot steel-hulled explorer built to navy specifications at Bath, Maine. The boat operated as a naval vessel for roughly four decades, then served approximately 30 years as a passenger ferry on the Puget Sound before conversion. A single 565-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engine powers the boat, with a cruising speed of 9 knots. The engine reportedly consumed 45 to 50 gallons of fuel on a passage from Tacoma through the Ballard Locks to Lake Union in Seattle.

The boat underwent extensive renovation in 2008. The interior accommodations include six heads. Two generators provide onboard electrical power. The substantial beam of 53 feet and hull volume offer considerable interior space and stability.

The boat's history spans both military and commercial service, including a documented passage through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific to Hawaii. Her steel construction and proven seaworthiness reflect the durability of naval-specification builds from this era.