Classic Yachts Converge at Bell Harbor Marina

June 16-18 Gathering Includes Tours, Classic Mustangs and Nash Metropolitans

The Bell Street Pier Classic Rendezvous, the largest gathering of pre-World War II yachts on the West Coast, is set for June 16-18 at the Port of Seattle's Bell Harbor Marina at Pier 66 on the central downtown Seattle waterfront.

More than 30 classic vessels, most built prior to World War II, will welcome visitors throughout the weekend, beginning Friday, June 16 with an official "sail-in" along the waterfront and arriving at the marina at 5 p.m. Many of the classic vessels will be open for boarding throughout the weekend

Some of the yachts scheduled for display include:

Olympus - Built in 1929, this 95-foot yacht was built for the president of the New York Stock Exchange. After World War II, Olympus served as the Washington state governor's yacht, and was host to President Harry Truman on many occasions.

Argosy - This 65-foot fantail yacht was built in 1925, but nine years later exploded and sank at the dock. She was painstakingly rebuilt by the Jensen Motorboat Company, which is still in business in Seattle.

Lady Grace - Built 60 years ago at the old Edison Technical School on Capitol Hill, this 40-foot yacht has served as the flagship for both the Seattle Yacht Club and the Bremerton Yacht Club.

Zella C - Built in 1927 in Seattle, the Zella C was named after a well-known madame, owner of the Palace Hotel at Pike Place Market.

Maranee - A 42-foot motor yacht built by the famous Chris-Craft Corporation in 1940, the Maranee is made of solid mahogany and is still powered by her original twin Hercules engines.

Public hours for the rendezvous are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. In addition, dozens of classic cars will be on display along the pier apron. Saturday, Ford Mustangs from the Mustangs Northwest Club will be on display; Sunday, it's Nash Metropolitans from the Nash Metropolitan Club - two of the most popular collectors' cars, will be on display along the pier apron.

The rendezvous is sponsored by the Classic Yacht Association, which was founded in 1970 to promote, preserve, restore, and maintain old power-driven pleasure craft. More than 200 vessels are currently registered, many located in the Puget Sound area.

More event information is available by calling Jim or Margie Paynton, (206) 937-6211.