BLUE PETER Summary
29.26 meters / 96 ft
1928
CUSTOM
8 guests
5 cabins
12 Knots
13.5 Knots
United States
Asking price: $2,800,000 USD
There are yachts, and then there are proper ships that spread their story across decades and touch hundreds of lives. Vessels whose very names conjure images of adventure, elegance, and the romance of a bygone era. The 1928 motor yacht Blue Peter is undoubtedly one of those ships. Moored at Seattle’s coveted Shilshole Bay Marina, she is a living chronicle of Pacific Northwest maritime history. With nearly a century of stories behind her, Blue Peter stands as a testament to the enduring allure of classic wooden yachts. Now, following an extraordinary $4+ million restoration and upgrade campaign over the past decade, she is offered for sale—ready to write her next chapter with a new steward.
This listing is crafted to honor BLUE PETER’s remarkable provenance, her technical and aesthetic rebirth, and the rare opportunity she presents: a fully restored, turn-key classic yacht with a transferrable slip at Shilshole Bay Marina—one of Seattle’s most desirable moorings. For the discerning buyer, BLUE PETER is more than a yacht; she is an invitation to become part of a living legacy.
Blue Peter was conceived at a time when Seattle was emerging as a center of yacht design and construction. Commissioned by prominent architect John Graham Sr., she was drawn by the legendary naval architect Ted Geary, whose influence on Pacific Northwest yachting needs little introduction. Built at the Lake Union Dry Dock Company, Blue Peter is one of a handful of 96-foot fan-tail motor yachts constructed in the region during the late 1920s—a period that produced several enduring classics, but none with a story quite like hers.
Her name, “Blue Peter,” is derived from the international maritime signal flag “P hoisted to indicate a vessel’s imminent departure. This spirit of adventure and readiness for the next voyage is woven into the very fabric of her identity.
Homeports over the Years
Launched in 1928, BLUE PETER quickly became a fixture in Seattle’s yachting scene. Her first owner, John Graham Sr., was a leading architect whose vision for the yacht was realized in collaboration with Geary and the master craftsmen of Lake Union Dry Dock. The vessel’s elegant lines, iconic fan-tail stern, and luxurious accommodations set a new standard for Pacific Northwest motor yachts.
Following Graham’s stewardship, she cruised the waters of San Francisco and Los Angeles before returning to the Northwest in the late 1930’s
During World War II, she was requisitioned by the U.S. Army and served as a transport for workers on the Canol Pipeline project in Alaska—a testament to her robust construction, comfort, and seaworthiness.
The McCurdy Era – When the Roots Dug In
After the war, Blue Peter was rescued from surplus by Horace W. McCurdy, a renowned shipbuilder and civic leader. McCurdy’s affection for the yacht was legendary; he undertook a five-year restoration, sourcing aged teak from the windjammer HOMEWARD BOUND to match the original joinery. McCurdy’s stewardship imbued Blue Peter with a unique personality—one that responded, in his words, to the care and respect of her crew and guests. Under McCurdy, Blue Peter became a floating salon for Seattle’s elite, hosting dignitaries, the University of Washington Husky Marching Band, and countless Opening Day celebrations. She was a Seafair VIP boat for nine years and a beloved participant in the Classic Yacht Association’s annual rendezvous.
Recent Decades: The Barbo Family and a New Golden Age
In more recent years, Blue Peter has been the pride and joy of Chuck and Linda Barbo, who have continued her tradition of hospitality and adventure. The Barbos have welcomed guests aboard for cruises throughout the Salish Sea, from Olympia to the San Juan Islands, and have ensured that every upgrade and repair honors the vessel’s heritage. Chuck’s deep love for the boat is not easy to put into words; a true passion that shows in the care and upkeep of the vessel.
Blue Peter’s role as a committee boat for regattas, her appearances at the Wooden Boat Festival, and her ongoing participation in classic yacht events have cemented her status as a Pacific Northwest treasure. She is not just a yacht; she is a beloved member of the region’s maritime community; a reputation the Barbo’s hope continues for many years to come.