The “Katy D” is a 31 foot lobster boat style Picnic Cruiser built in 1958 by Willis Rossiter on 700 Acre Island (Dark Harbor Boat Yard).  She was built by the Charles Dana Gibson family (note 1),  and named after Kate Dana Goodale (Katy D).  After extensive cruising with the Gibson & Goodale Families, she served as a waterborne mail boat, ambulance, school bus, and private ferry between the islands of Islesboro & 700 Acre Island and Lincolnville Beach.

The Katy D was extensively rebuilt in 1998 at the Dark Harbor Boatyard.  From 2016 to present the vessel has been restored, maintained, and continuously upgraded since 2016,  included hull re-caulking, minor repairs, and complete repainting with historic paint colors selected from George W. Kirby, who created a custom topsides paint by doubling Maynard Gray Off-White to create “Katy D Off-white”.  Other paints from Pettit and Epifanes were used to refinish the main topside cabin, below decks cabin, cockpit and all ceiling planks in the large cockpit.  The ceiling boards in the stern were replaced with new, cedar strips spaced ½ inch apart to improve ventilation and facilitate inspection of the stern planking.

The engine was replaced in 2015 with a 5.7 liter Crusader Captains Choice which drives the boat easily at between 8-12 knots.  A top speed of 16 knots is possible but not recommended.  Custom cushions for both bunks below decks and atop the engine box and fall weather canvas and vinyl snap in curtains for the main cabin are included as well as four new dock lines, four Polyform bumpers, 300 feet of anchor rode, a large Danforth and a portable boarding ladder.

The Plexiglas Port and Starboard Upper cabin windows and all four port-lights below were replaced with tempered glass in 2022 and re-caulked in place with SIKAFLEX 295 UV.  PVC shoe molding was installed on the exterior of the cabin windows.

In Fall 2022, four primary keel bolts, two on each side of the drive shaft, were removed and replaced with new Silicon Bronze bolts, double washers and nuts (Fair Wind Fasteners). To do this a new, watertight stainless steel hatch was installed in the center of the cockpit.

In September 2023, Brooklin Boat Yard stripped the hull, inspected and re-caulked seams as needed, and primed and painted the hull.  The Captains Choice engine was inspected, compression tested, and a new upgrade alternator was installed.  After oil and filter change and a new gas filter was performed the engine was tested and run to full operating temperature.  The engine was then winterized prior to indoor storage for the winter.

The Katy D has been restored and continuously maintained with significant upgrades since 2016 and stored indoors from November to June every year.  In summers, she sits at her mooring in Lincolnville Beach and is cruised locally by her owners.  She is being reluctantly sold due to the age of the owners and their retirement plans.

It is the owners hope that someone who will appreciate her history and continue her maintenance and upgrades will acquire the Katy D and keep her in good shape to cruise Maine waters from June to November and hopefully the same waters where she was launched and enjoyed near the Dark Harbor Boatyard on 700 Acre Island and Islesboro-Lincolnville.

New Asking Price: Was $52,500 Now $40,000
Location: Brooklin, Maine