June 10, 2026
Written by Stephanie Riley and Diane Lander, Classic Yacht Association Event Chair
Each summer, Seattle’s waterfront is transformed into a living museum of maritime craftsmanship as the Classic Yacht Association returns to Bell Harbor Marina for the annual Bell Harbor Rendezvous. Hosted by the Classic Yacht Association and the Port of Seattle, the event welcomes visitors aboard some of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautifully preserved classic yachts — each carrying its own remarkable history.
The 2026 Bell Harbor Rendezvous marks the event’s 29th annual gathering and will feature a special “marquee class” of yachts, celebrating a Centennial Fleet built in 1926 — vessels now turning 100 years old while continuing to cruise Pacific Northwest waters.
Set against the backdrop of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle, the Rendezvous offers the public a rare opportunity to walk the docks, meet passionate yacht owners, and experience a fleet that represents more than a century of nautical design, engineering, and preservation.
The 2026 marquee class: a century on the water
This year’s featured Centennial Fleet honors yachts that continue to embody the elegance and craftsmanship of a golden era of boating. Among the standout vessels are Malibu, Winifred, Faun, Corsair II, and Bo-Peep II — each representing a remarkable chapter in Pacific Northwest maritime history.
Malibu
As one of the featured Centennial yachts, Malibu reflects the timeless design and craftsmanship that defined luxury cruising in the 1920s. Designed by Ted Geary and built by the Blanchard Boat Building Company, she is constructed from sturdy Douglas fir frames on 16-inch centers and planked with 2.5-inch thick Port Orford Yellow Cedar. She is now owned by Windermere Services and maintained in Port Townsend, Washington by Haven Boat Works.
Learn more about Malibu’s history
Winifred
Few yachts capture Pacific Northwest boating history quite like Winifred. The Lake Union Dreamboat was built in 1926 at the Lake Union Drydock Company in Seattle for Adolph and Winifred Schmidt of Olympia, Washington.
In 1928, she competed in the “Capital to Capital” predicted log race, a precision boating competition from Olympia to Juneau. She came in first in the 40-foot and larger class with an amazingly small margin of error of only 28 minutes for the entire 780-mile trip. Winifred is powered by a 4-cylinder Detroit Diesel engine and cruises comfortably at 8.6 knots using only 2.2 gallons per hour.
Over the decades, Winifred has become a celebrated participant in classic yacht festivals throughout the region, earning awards including “Best Overall Powerboat” at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival and multiple “Best Power Boat Over 40 Feet” honors during Seattle’s Opening Day festivities. Today, she remains a beloved symbol of Northwest maritime heritage, owned by Greg Gilbert and is one of the most anticipated arrivals at Bell Harbor each year.
Learn more about Winifred’s history
Faun
Faun represents the elegance and innovation of early 20th-century yacht design. With beautifully restored finishes and period craftsmanship throughout, the yacht showcases the artistry and dedication required to preserve historic wooden vessels.
Faun is a 1926 Blanchard Standardized Cruiser, built at the Blanchard Boat Company on Lake Union for W.N. Winter of Medina, Washington. Her design is Leigh H. Coolidge, and her original purchase price was $6,000. She is powered by a 1947 Chrysler Crown gasoline engine and cruises at 8.5 knots. Her hull is Alaska red and yellow cedar, her frames are white oak, and her brightwork is Burmese teak. She is hull #9 of the 25 built in the same model.
Lovingly and completely restored and rebuilt at Jensen Shipyard in 2013-14, she went on to win the coveted “Best Overall Power” at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival in 2014 and has won “Best Overall Power 40 Feet and Under” in the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day Parade multiple times. Faun is owned and enjoyed by Laura Shifflette and Michael Passage.
Learn more about Faun’s history
Corsair II
Corsair II stands out as another exceptional member of this year’s marquee class. Known for her graceful profile and classic styling, the yacht embodies the spirit of the roaring twenties and the craftsmanship of Northwest boatbuilders.
Corsair II is designed by Leigh H. Coolidge, a 50-foot yacht built in 1926 at the Martinac Shipyard in Tacoma, Washington, for an avid predicted log racer and officer of the Tacoma Yacht Club.
She obtained new caretakers in 2022 who are doing an extensive rebuild of the boat with new frames, planks, and power. Continued preservation of Corsair II reflects the passion of classic yacht owners who invest countless hours maintaining these floating pieces of history for future generations to enjoy.
Learn more about Corsair II’s history
Bo-Peep II
Bo-Peep II is a 58-foot yacht designed by John Hacker of the Hacker-Fermann Company of Detroit, Michigan. She is the last of the six built at the Defoe Boat and Motor Works of Bay City, Michigan. In 1997, previous owners Ron Lane and Gene Bonner-Lane visited the Bell Harbor Rendezvous and decided to relocate themselves and Bo-Peep II from Houston, Texas to Seattle. In 2013, she was completely re-fit at Philbrooks Boatyard in Sidney, B.C and was purchased in 2024 by the current owner Jeffory Wilson.
Learn more about Bo-Peep II’s history
An extraordinary fleet along Seattle’s waterfront
In addition to the marquee class, this year’s Bell Harbor Rendezvous will feature an impressive collection of classic yachts from throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. According to the current participating fleet list, attendees can expect to see vessels including Blue Peter, Air Snipe, Arctic Light, Arianna, Zanzibar, Yonder, Camelot, and many more lining the docks at Bell Harbor Marina.
Many of the participating yachts have fascinating histories tied to military service, Northwest industry, long-range cruising, and multi-generational family ownership. Owners often stay dockside throughout the weekend sharing stories about restoration projects, historic voyages, and the ongoing commitment required to preserve these vessels.
A Pacific Northwest tradition
The Bell Harbor Rendezvous has become one of the Pacific Northwest Fleet’s signature events and a treasured Seattle waterfront tradition. The gathering traces its roots back to earlier classic yacht festivals in Port Ludlow before finding its home at Bell Harbor, where the event has grown into one of the region’s premier celebrations of maritime heritage.
Today, the event continues to celebrate not only the yachts themselves, but also the community of owners, restorers, volunteers, and maritime enthusiasts dedicated to preserving these historic vessels for future generations.
The Bell Harbor Rendezvous is free and open to the public, inviting visitors of all ages to experience a unique collection of classic yachts against the backdrop of Seattle’s iconic waterfront. Whether you’re a lifelong boater, a maritime history enthusiast, or simply looking for a memorable summer outing, this event offers a rare chance to step aboard a century of nautical history.
Bell Harbor Rendezvous event details
Location: Bell Harbor Marina
Address: 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
Event Dates: June 19-21, 2026
- Friday, June 19: Boat Parade on the Seattle Waterfront starting at 1 p.m.
Please note: Public viewing available from Alaskan Way piers – Bell Harbor Marina will not open to the public.
- Saturday, June 20: Open public boat tours from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday, June 21: Open public boat tours from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
View the full list of boats that will be on display at this year’s Bell Harbor Rendezvous
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