1975 William Garden Porpoise

The William Garden Porpoise is a 46-foot wooden sailing yacht built in 1975 at the Robin Fong Yard in Hong Kong. Constructed entirely of teak with bronze rivets and an iron keel secured with Monel fasteners, the design represents a modified Porpoise from Garden's Yacht Designs II. The boat features spruce masts and stainless steel stanchions, pulpit, and chain plates. In 2023, the hull received fresh Awlgrip paint above and below the waterline, with the transom and bottom refinished to bare wood.

The three-cabin layout accommodates comfortable cruising with a single head. Navigation equipment includes a complete Raymarine suite: Axion chart plotter, Evolution autopilot, VHF radio, i70 display for depth and speed, DST 810 transducer, GA 2000 GPS antenna, and Vesper Class B AIS installed during a recent electronics upgrade. A bulkhead-mounted monitor with Mac mini provides TimeZero navigation and WxWorx marine weather software, supplemented by Sirius XM signals and a Starlink internet system. Power comes from a Perkins 4.236 diesel engine with a Balmar 100 amp alternator. Three diesel fuel tanks hold approximately 200 gallons combined; the main tank features Gobius monitoring and double Racor filters.

Fresh water is supplied by a 90-gallon stainless steel tank with electronic level indication. A Shipmate propane stove and Dickinson diesel cabin heater provide galley and cabin comfort. Custom 12V and 120V electrical panels, a Xantrex 2000 inverter/charger, and LED cabin and exterior lights support modern conveniences. A Bose AV321 entertainment system with four surround speakers and powered subwoofer is paired with a Samsung 32" smart TV and Sirius radio.

The sail inventory is comprehensive: jib, staysail, main, mizzen, 150 genoa, storm trysail, storm jib, twin downwind sails with mast-mounted poles, and mizzen staysail. Anchoring includes a CQR 45 on bow rollers with manual Plath windlass and 3/8 chain, plus storm anchors on deck and in lockers. A Zodiac inflatable is stowed in an aft lazaret. Four self-inflating life vests and four safety harnesses with tethers are stored below. A substantial inventory of spare parts—filters, rebuild kits, fasteners, rigging hardware, and other items—accompanies the boat. Lifelines were replaced with oversize stainless steel cable in 2023.