Volunteers Help Restore Historic Fishing Boat

By Ken Baxter

Ranger, the flagship of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, is a classic big-game fishing yacht. In 1917, she was the first private sport fishing boat built on the West Coast and played a major role in the early popularity and growth of sport fishing in Southern California and Baja California. The 42-foot vessel served as the flagship of the Catalina Island Tuna Club for over 50 years, hosting celebrities and setting records—two of which still stand today for tuna and broad-bill swordfish.

You can volunteer to become a member of Ranger’s maintenance crew! We need crew members with skills in mechanical systems, electrical systems, marine plumbing, woodworking, varnishing, and general cleaning. Become a part of the proud tradition that is Santa Barbara maritime history.

Ranger volunteers are working every Saturday starting at 10am to restore the ship in time for her 100th birthday party on August 24th. If you would like to help as a restoration volunteer or join the crew, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Haake at (805) 456-8748 or jhaake@sbmm.org.