Help Mo Rebuild His Home, Galaxy

The Story:

On September 29, our friend Mo launched his 1968 wood troller, Galaxy from Boat Haven in Port Townsend. Mo has lived aboard Galaxy for seven years, and had just spent the summer hauled-out in the shipyard working on some projects that included repairs in the plywood deck, rebedding hardware, bottom paint, and most importantly a new paint job on the hull. Upon launch Galaxy took on water, as wood boats are expected to do, and Mo waited until she took up and the water slowed to a trickle before heading off. About a mile from the marina, Mo noticed that Galaxy had become bow down, with water trapped behind the forward-most bulkhead. Unfortunately it was already too late. Water began flooding in through seams in the top side of the hull that were still open. The pumps were not keeping up, water was rising above the cabin floor, and Mo made the necessary decision to alert the Coast Guard, who rescued Mo, and called in a tow boat to save Galaxy. Within several hours, Mo was dropped off by the tow boat back at Boat Haven, and Galaxy, who'd become submerged above the cabin top, was turned upright and hoisted into the Travelift by the skilled Boat Haven operators during an emergency haul-out in the middle of the night. Galaxy stayed in the travelift slings overnight draining, while friends surrounded Mo for support, food, accommodations, and love. Galaxy was blocked back up in the shipyard in the morning and Mo got right to work, surveying the damage, pumping out the bilge, cleaning up, and salvaging as much as possible.

A Little About Mo:

Mo is one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people I've ever met. I first met Mo at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, where I was a student and where he works. Mo has attended both the Wooden Boat Building program and the Marine Systems program, and has become a highly knowledgeable and skilled shipwright and systems technician. Mo's patience, warmth, and willingness to always help are just some of the characteristics that his friends love him for, and what makes him a particularly important member of the community both at the school and in the larger Port Townsend area. Mo is an avid sailor and outdoors person; he enjoys exploring the Salish Sea and Puget Sound along with Mt. Rainer, the Cascades, and the Olympics.

The Good:

Galaxy's engine is a Detroit Diesel, and Mo reached out to Walt Trisdale, Port Townsend's renowned diesel engine expert who shared several strategies to dry out and revive the engine. Mo followed Walt's protocol and in a giant win, fired up the engine on October 4th. Luckily Mo has also been able to salvage and clean some of his essential belongings, including clothing, kitchenware, some books, and non-power tools.

The Not-So-Good:

All of the electronics aboard Galaxy are destroyed, including multiple battery banks, chargers, inverter, GPS, chart plotter, depth sounder, engine gauges, cameras (film and digital), and laptop. The wiring will all need to be torn out and replaced. All of Mo's power tools are also destroyed, despite an attempt to de-salt them. Nearly everything on board Galaxy that made her a home; books, bedding, and cushions have been destroyed. Aside from the expenses that come with replacing items, Mo is also facing a $20,000 tow boat bill, along with Boat Haven's emergency haulout fees, and additional unanticipated shipyard fees. The good news is that Mo has an insurance policy for Galaxy which will cover the cost of the salvage operation and at least some of the destroyed equipment.

What We're Hoping For:

We're launching this fundraiser at $10,000, all of which will be used to cover the replacement of Galaxy's electronics, Mo's tools, personal belongings, emergency haulout fees, shipyard fees, and ongoing living expenses as Mo continues to clean Galaxy up and restore her to her former glory, so that he can continue living aboard and caring for this sweet boat.

Wood Boats and Their Caretakers:

Wood boats are one of the things that Port Townsend is famous for, and are known for the unique processes required to build them and the craftsmanship that is needed to maintain them. Owners of wood boats see a beauty and a soul in them that is different from other types of hulls. Most boat owners shy away from wood, claiming it is a needy type of boat, but wood boat owners claim their wood boats give back exponentially. A few wood boats continue to be built today, but it takes a special type of person to care for and maintain these sweet relics of the past. Mo is committed to being one of the wood boat caretakers, and he wants to give Galaxy the love and attention she deserves.