Water Witch

History

The P-Class Cutter, Water Witch (formerly MiGirl), was designed by Lester Stone and built by the W.F. Stone & Son boatyard in Oakland, CA, in 1928. As one of several Universal Rule classes, she was built as a gentlemen’s racer for the rough conditions in the San Francisco Bay and offshore races. Her winning pedigree includes several Transpac, Windjammer, Master Mariners, Farallon Island, and Vallejo races that have long been the hallmark of Lester Stone's designed and built boats. You can also see her racing alongside other elite classics during the Belvedere Cup, Rolex Big Boat Series, and Jessica Cup. 

Water Witch's history takes a dramatic turn during WWII. In 1942, the US Navy commandeered her to patrol offshore of the Golden Gate and Central California Coast, a crucial mission to locate Japanese submarines believed to be lurking below the depths. Under the ownership of Leon DeFremery and the St. Francis Yacht Club, she was painted battleship gray and fitted with a radio direction finder, provisions, and a Navy Lieutenant for the patrol. The ship's logs from this period are filled with hair-raising incidents, mostly resulting from the fog and the restriction that ships and patrol vessels could not use navigational lighting due to the Japanese threat. 

In 1990, the Egelston family acquired the yacht, then named Sea Angel, which was in a state of disrepair. After three years of sailing her, the family made the decision to restore her to her former glory and return her to the name that had gained her so much notoriety; Water Witch. Over the past thirty-plus years, the family has dedicated themselves to the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the yacht. She has become a cherished member of the family, receiving a great deal of respect and attention. In return, she provides us with unforgettable experiences on the water with every journey. 

Not-so-historic upgrades: 

• New white oak laminated frames, double plank fir glued with epoxy 

• New steel structural floors, galvanized & epoxy coated 

• New laminated fir deck beams 

• New composite deck with teak veneer 

• 1200 lbs. modern AGM battery bank under cabin sole with inverter for 120 volts 

• Raymarine GPS, sonar, color radar, autopilot 

• Reckmann hydraulic furlers 

• Hood Vectran full batten main with Harken switch-track system