1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class
$25,000
Boat in San Diego, CA 92106 US
Built in 1939
Pacific Class
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31.8 feet
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Other
Jewel - Kettenburg Pacific Class Hull #35
Jewel is the pride of the Kettenburg Pacific Class fleet and perhaps the best condition example still floating worldwide of the 83 boats produced. She has been restored twice and was the winner of the San Diego Yacht Club best maintained PC on opening day 2025. She is in turnkey condition with over $250k invested in the renovations. Jewel needs a new caretaker to enjoy this exceptionally maintained sailboat.
History
Launched in 1939, (formerly, Irene) she was the last of the pre-war Pacific Class boats built by Kettenburg Boat Works. Over her long life she had had a number of owners but her most recent saga began as a donation to the woodworking class at Port Townsend High School on Puget Sound. A marine surveyor was asked to consult and deemed her a bit much for a high school woodshop-level project so she was sold. She was retrieved by local San Diego boatbuilder Bill Clark who relocated her to San Diego and began a total boat restoration.
Renovations done by Bill Clark, Clark's Custom Boats, San Diego, CA
● All ribs were replaced with a five-stave, 1 1/4" by 1/4" ash laminate bonded together and encapsulated using West Systems Epoxy inside and outside.
● All deck and house beams were replaced with sapele mahogany.
● All seams reefed out and resawn to a "vee" contour, then splined with matching epoxy saturated mahogany staves.
● Any weak planks replaced and her entire hull saturated in and out with West Systems epoxy resin.
● She was completely refastened with bronze screws.
● New bronze chainplates thru-bolted with beefy non-original laminated ash reinforcements.
● Deck and house lid replaced with 7/16" Baltic birch ply covered in eGlass set in epoxy.
● Cabin and cockpit coaming replaced with flame-grained mahogany.
Renovations done by former owner: 2021
● Hull and deck repainted with primer and topcoats using AwlGrip's epoxy system.
● All new stainless standing rigging
● All new running rigging using New England Rope vintage look ropes.
● Extensive use of new custom-fabricated hardware
● Petit Vivid Black anti-fouling in 2021 by Koehler Kraft.
● Aft cabin bulkheads were rebuilt.
● New weatherboards in grain-matched sapele.
● New interior with storage cabinetry, v-berth, porta-potty, etc.
● Cap and toe rails replaced with new sapele mahogany.
● Cockpit seating and sole replaced with sapele mahogany to match cockpit curvature.
● Boom crutch, traveler riser, and all small parts from sapele.
● Custom laminated tiller with bronze rudder stock cheek plates.
● New bronze self-tailing winches on coaming-mounted mahogany pedestals.
● All blocks are ash with Zytel bearing sheaves & 316 L stainless hardware.
● Comfortable cockpit and v-berth cushions covered in Sunbrella fabric.
● New Quantum sails in German cream-colored fabric in a vintage, period-correct pattern.
● New symmetrical spinnaker
● All bright work finished with a minimum of eight coats of Epifanes varnish.
● Full rain cover.
Renovations done by current owner: 2025
● New Quantum racing mainsail and jib
● New asymmetric spinnaker
● New code zero
● All running rigging updated to racing low-stretch lines. Largely 8mm warpspeed.
● Rigging converted for racing, hidden purchase under decks for backstay, downhaul, and traveller. Traveller control lines were rerouted mid cockpit for mainsail trimmer control.
● Mainsheet control from the forward boom or the rear cockpit with dual cleats.
● Spinnaker pole renewed
● New 83-pound thrust trolling motor. Maximum power is 4 knots for approximately 2 hours
● New Raymarine tiller pilot autopilot
● New 24-volt lithium battery in the bilge
● Quick disconnect port for trolling motor power hidden in aft cockpit.
● New Victron 24-volt lithium battery charger
● New Victron voltage converter 24v to 12v to step down power the main electrical panel
● Interior LED lighting added
● Tactick compass
● Petit Vivid Black anti-fouling in November 2024 by Koehler Kraft. 3 coats at the waterline, 2 coats on the bottom
● New Phifertex sheet bags and interior storage wall bags
● 4 new lifejackets hidden under cockpit benches in New Phifertex custom "hammocks"
● All USCG safety equipment is current
● Jewel has a current ORC racing handicap rating.
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10/8/25 | Initial price | $25,000 |
1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class Video Tours
Overview from around the web 1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class
Customers praise the 1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class for its classic design and exceptional craftsmanship
Many highlight the boat's solid construction and timeless aesthetic, which captures the essence of traditional boating. Owners appreciate the spacious cockpit and comfortable interior, making it ideal for both leisurely cruises and extended trips. The reliable performance and smooth handling receive frequent commendations, underscoring the vessel's enduring quality. Overall, the Kettenburg Pacific Class is celebrated for combining vintage charm with practical functionality, earning it a loyal following among classic boat enthusiasts.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
The 1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class is a classic sailboat known for its traditional design and solid craftsmanship. Here are some of the key pros and cons of this vintage vessel:
Pros
Timeless Design: The Pacific Class features a beautiful, classic lines and traditional wooden construction that appeals to enthusiasts of vintage sailboats.
Sturdy Build: Known for its robust craftsmanship, the 1939 model was built to withstand challenging sea conditions, making it a reliable choice for offshore cruising.
Sailing Performance: With a well-balanced hull and efficient sail plan, the Pacific Class offers a smooth and responsive sailing experience.
Spacious Interior: Despite its vintage origins, the boat provides comfortable accommodations and practical layout for extended voyages.
Collectible Value: As a classic boat from the late 1930s, it holds significant historical and collector interest, often appreciated by maritime enthusiasts.
Cons
Maintenance Intensive: Being a wooden boat from 1939, it requires regular and meticulous upkeep to preserve its condition, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Limited Modern Amenities: Compared to contemporary sailboats, the Pacific Class may lack some modern conveniences and technologies that enhance comfort and navigation.
Parts Availability: Replacement parts specific to this model can be difficult to source, potentially adding complexity to repairs and restorations.
Performance Limitations: While seaworthy, the design may not match the speed and agility of modern racing or cruising sailboats.
Weight and Handling: The heavier wooden construction can make handling more demanding, especially for less experienced sailors.
Made For
The 1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class is designed for classic steam locomotive enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate finely crafted, historically significant models. This locomotive class is ideal for those seeking an authentic representation of the powerful Pacific steam engines from the late 1930s, combining vintage charm with exceptional detail and performance for model railway displays.
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Seattle Yachts was formed by the merging of Northwest Yachts which was founded in 1992 and Seattle Yachts which was founded in 1983. We have a great opportunity to serve you better, with locations in Washington, California, Florida, Maryland, Canada, and the Philippines! We represent 15 lines of new boats for you to choose from, as well as a fleet of previously owned vessels.
Boat Location
Contact Seattle Yachts about 1939 Kettenburg Pacific Class
5060 N Harbor Drive, Suite 155, San Diego, CA, 92106
Contact Seattle Yachts
5060 N Harbor Drive, Suite 155, San Diego, CA, 92106
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