1920 16′ GEOLLER CATBOAT/ BEAUTIFUL TOTAL RESTORATION “SEA DUCK”

Sea Duck

Designer – Fred Goeller

Builder – Unknown – Circa 1920

Design originally published in The Rudder, Volume XXXI, Nov-Dec 1915

Sea Duck is the only known build of the design to exist today.  She was originally kept and sailed on the Hudson River in New York.  Later she spent many years on Nantucket, followed by a lengthy stint on Cape Cod.  Sea Duck was restored multiple times on Cape Cod at Pleasant Bay Boat and Spar Company, owned by Suzanne Leahey before she  closed the shop June 2014.

In December, 2019, my wife, Liela and I met Suzanne and explained about our restoration of CREE, a1972 wooden flybridge cruiser built and launched on Long Island in 1973. Based on our knowledge she entrusted us with Sea Duck’s care, on my promise and commitment to getting her restored and back on the water.  Through our network of capable resources we contacted and brought Sea Duck to IYRS for restoration as part of their second year Boatbuilding and Restoration program.

Sea Duck was Restored Winter 2021-2022 at IYRS in Newport. The cap was removed and restored and an entirely new hull built to the original design. They more closely followed the design plan in the hull rebuild, taking advantage of the original plans we hold.  A new boom and gaff were also built to the original plan and refitted with her original hardware.  Sea Duck is essentially a brand new boat with her classic origins, and updates to her plans fully maintained, excepting for the modified cabin top for more space

Subsequent to her restoration, Sea Duck’s paint and varnish was updated and has been maintained by Thomas Townsend Custom Marine Woodworking in Mystic CT.  I updated and refit her cabin sole and ceiling, completing her beautiful and comfortable cabin.  Her onboard systems include a single bilge pump, hidden LED lighting in the cabin, and running/ steaming lights, powered by a single 12v battery and maintained by a 10w solar panel. New bench cushions, fenders and covers, and a custom storage bag for the cabin doors are included. She sits on a custom fitted 2019 Venture trailer when not in the water.  Sail is older, but in very good condition, the only item not yet updated. During this process we found some rot in her mast, it was replaced with a new hollow mast, made by Arey’s Pond boat yard, in 2024.  All lines, and lazy jacks are in very good shape, topping and dock lines were replaced in 2022. 

We have decided to sell Sea Duck, only due to lack of time to sail her, and my strong desire to have her sailed and enjoyed much more regularly than our schedule allows.  She has resided in cold storage winters, and on our mooring summers, only being sailed a few times since her restoration.  She is a fantastic and comfortable boat that needs a new steward who has the time to sail her regularly and care for her in her second century.  

Colors used for re-launch:

Decks and Cabin top: Kirby’s Ivory #6

Cabin and Cockpit Sides: CREE White (custom Kirby Color matching CREE’s Awlgrip white)

Hull Topsides – Kirby’s Awlgrip San Mateo Wheat 

Bottom – Interlux Fiberglass Aqua Red