This short story is an excerpt from my Pioneer Project interview with Blake Williams and Barb Angel, which took place in March 2025. An earlier portion of that interview was published in Currents back in April. The text has been edited for clarity and accuracy.
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After returning from his offshore adventure to Hawaii and back, Blake Williams sold his Alberg 30. He then bought a Skipjack, with a trailer. He soon found this boat too limiting but did not want the expense of a large boat. This is the story of his search for his PB (Perfect Boat):
Blake: I sold the Alberg 30. Then I got a little Skipjack – a Chesapeake Bay boat – with a trailer.
I thought, well, that’ll be interesting. Why don’t I try that? The main advantage was that I could trailer her to and from a variety of locations. For example, up to the Mission Bridge and then sail down the river to Steveston. Or go down to Point Roberts, where I could connect with a Bluewater Rendezvous. Or Sharp Cove and just pull it up on the beach.
I thought that this trailer sailing thing was something pretty good. However, I couldn’t cook in it, I couldn’t lie down in it. What to do? I didn’t want 10-footitis disease.
I did my research and selected the Flicka as my PB (Perfect Boat). This was in the ’80s.
Barrie: I’ve heard of them.
Blake: It was Bruce Bingham, from the US East Coast, who designed her. He submitted the design to this start up company in Southern California, Pacific Seacraft.
It was going to be a kit boat, but soon people said, “I’m prepared to pay for a completed one.”
Barrie: What length were they?
Blake: 20 feet, but the marina will say 27 feet or 24 feet or 26 feet, because of the bowsprit.
I started my search around Seattle, then Ontario, and the East Coast. I went down to Miami, l went to the Florida Panhandle, finally found one I liked in a bayou. It had a trailer; it had all this stuff.
I made an offer and he said, “No, I’m not going to do that.” So I went back to Miami, flew back, and I thought, “Okay, I think I’ll call him.” He said, “it’s sold.” “Could you tell me, did it sell for the full price?” “Oh yeah, full price”.
I waited a few weeks and then I called him again and said, “Hey, Flicka boats are such a unique class of boats that owners tend to know each other. Do you know anybody else selling?” He says, “Yeah, there’s a guy in Florida who has one.” So I called up the marina and they said, “No, he moved back to Mobile, Alabama.” So I called them and…
Blake’s PB, Sea Fever
He says, “Are you gonna fly down to survey it?” I said, “No, no, I’ve seen enough of them. Could you send me photos of the galley, the engine, and the interior?” He FedExed them up. I looked at them. I said, “I know I’ve got to do some reupholstery. I’ve got to put a different engine on. It’s 4.2 registered tons and he has only got a Mercury seven-horsepower on it.” I just did those things and had my PB.
She has standing headroom. It has a Galley. It can sleep three. She is great for single-handing. It has worked out very well.
Barrie: And you still have her today?
Blake: I still have her today.
Barrie: Forty something years. She HAS been the PB for you!
Blake: Thank goodness I replaced the forward hatch yesterday, and I’m glad I got it done (chuckling)!
Barrie: It was pouring earlier today, and it looks like it’s started again!
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