Story

Originally named Edlu, Sparkman and Stephens design #35 has received much acclaim in her 85 years. Built in 1934 at the shipyard of the legendary Henry B. Nevins, Orion has proven many times over the speed and seaworthiness of Olin Stephens’ designs. Winning the Newport Bermuda race the year she was launched Orion went on to collect a laundry list of wins for her owner and crew. Orion did her nation proud in WWII serving in the “Hooligan Navy” or Coastal Pickett Patrol searching out German U-boats along the eastern seaboard. After the war she made her way through the canal (the Panamanian flag is still on board) to the Pacific where, after extensive cruising, she found a berth in California. After a racing career in Sausalito and passenger service in San Diego, she went up the coast to the Pacific Northwest to her current home port of Seattle. Here, she provides students of all ages a chance to explore the marine environment and learn traditional seamanship skills. Over the winter of 2010 Orion underwent an extensive restoration and refit insuring that she will be the west coast’s premier “work yacht” for another 75 years.