In the late 1920’s, the concept of the Kettenburg “Pacific Class” one design racing yacht was developed by George Kettenburg Jr. Mr. Kettenburg’s design was the answer to the request of his close friends, SC Joe Jessop and SC George Jessop (of the San Diego Yacht Club), to build a “one design” class of wooden racing yachts that could compete successfully in Southern California waters. Because of the PC popularity, Kettenburg Boatworks, located at Commercial Basin adjoining Roseville, continued to build these beautiful yachts into the early 50’s. Since that time, the PC fleet has been a very successful and active presence at many yacht clubs along the west coast, with the heart of the fleet at the San Diego Yacht Club. The PC was the first successful wooden racing yacht built for southern California waters. Seventy years have gone by and these vessels are still the pride of many clubs and harbors from Alaska to Southern California.
Though these vessels have always had strong representation, within the last several years, we have seen a resurgence of interest in these lovely yachts. Our San Diego fleet has grown to 27 vessels. Presently, 7 PCs are undergoing full restoration locally. Through my research, I have been able to identify 66 of the original 83 hull numbers assigned and have listed them on the official Kettenburg Boats web site (www.kettenburgboats.com). Ten of the yachts listed have been “lost to the sea, destroyed or the hull numbers assigned, but the boat never finished. This leaves 17 boats unaccounted for, thus my search continues.
PC #8 was built for San Diego builder, Mr. Ed Depew in 1931 and soon sold to the San Diego Yacht Club SC Geo. Carter Jessop Sr. Mr. Jessop, a son of the founder of the Jessop jewelry business, was a driving force in the business for many years. A native of San Diego, he loved the water and, as a young man, showed his talent in long distance swimming, rowing and eventually sailing. A member of the San Diego Yacht Club, in 1930 he commissioned PC #4, JEAN, which he sailed in the 1931 S Class/PC regatta in the Hawaiian Islands. Along with friends and brother Joe, he too fell in love with the lines of the PC and, upon returning from the Islands, bought hull # 8, WINGS, from Mr. Depew. After many years of sailing and having won many regattas at the helm of this glorious boat, she was sold to his friend Mr. Jack Bone Sr. Mr. Bone was in the dry goods business in downtown San Diego and friends with the Kettenburgs and Jessops. As a member of the yacht club, he was soft spoken but took his racing quite seriously. His passion for speed on the water led him to purchasing WINGS, with which he proved to be quite competitive in the 1940’s, and until she eventually made her way to the tiller hand of Mr. Paul Hartley Sr. Mr. Hartley was founder of the Hartley real estate business, past San Diego city councilman, a past “Mister San Diego” and, (at one time) acting San Diego mayor. Articles from the San Diego Union Tribune will attest to Mr. Hartley’s love of taking youngsters out on WINGS, to teach them the pleasures of sailing. The Hartley family continued this tradition until they gave the yacht to the to the SDMM. Over two years ago, the San Diego Maritime Museum (due to storage costs and available funding) was forced to relinquish title of PC #8 WINGS. The choice was to scuttle the boat or find someone who would help save her, thus the vessel was given to me. I elected to accept title of WINGS, in order to save this vessel (which I believe to be the oldest PC in existence) and have always hoped that she would be returned to the SDMM fully restored, and the time has come! The San Diego Maritime Museum board voted to donate $25,000.00 toward the restoration costs and is pleased to accept title of the restored yacht. The Kettenburg family, and others, have also made contributions to help with the project. While the project is now moving along, additional funds are still needed. Your contribution will greatly help bring this beautiful historic vessel to completion for our city and those who visit San Diego.
Please feel free to contact me should you have period hardware, plans, photos, newspaper articles or a willingness to contribute financially toward the project. The SDMM is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit agency, thus your tax-deductible contributions may be sent directly to the museum and will be acknowledge by a letter for tax records. A special “Restoration Advisory Committee” will be appointed, comprised of those individuals donating $1,000.00 or more to the fund. We will soon begin to schedule meetings in order to define restoration details.
This project is very important to the San Diego Maritime Museum and the City of San Diego, as well. I will make myself available as necessary to address any questions you might have.
Richard S. “Rish” Pavelec
SDYC PC Fleet
619-275-3126
rish3@me.com
Photo courtesy of the Hartley Family Collection