Kleaman Marine Services

Kleaman Marine

Conversion Stories & Picture Gallery

"Wildwood" ex YTL 583 63' x 16'6" x 5' ex Navy target tower and tug used by the Canadian Navy. Built 1944 by Falconer Marine in Victoria, B.C. She was built with laminated oak frames and fir planking.

When I purchased she was serving her last few years with the Sea Cadets in Victoria, B.C.

She is a wooden vessel and in her original configuration had a good size forward deck followed by a small pilot house, small engine trunk aft of pilot house and then a long after deck. At that time she was powered with a 300 HP Cummins NH diesel with a Capitol gear.

The above pictures show the vessel in her original state. The first three were taken in Victoria. The last two were taken at my brother Gordons dock in Burrard Inlet.

In the above series the first two pictures are at our dock in Indian Arm. The next few groups show a small catastrophe we encountered along the way.

On a Saturday morning I was way up the hill fixing our water line in the creek which supplied our home with water when I heard my wife Wendy calling as she came up through the woods..seems like the Wildwood was sinking at the dock. Turned out she was more than sinking, she was sunk! We had been away most of the week during the day and had not noticed her getting lower in the water. A neighbor (nice guy!) came over later to tell us he had noticed her getting lower day by day and had thought nothing of it? Anyhow, I called my brother Gordon, who just happened to own a crane barge, my friend Murray Brown, who was scheduled to start working on the conversion in the next month or so, and James Nelson, Wendy's cousin who is the maintenance manager at Burrard Yacht Club. Murray was just coming over second narrows bridge in Vancouver Harbour and so was only 20 minutes away. Jamie loaded the Club skiff with pumps and headed up. By noon we were all there, including the crane barge. Once the slings were around the hull and steadying her up we started pumping. Didn't take long and she was floating again. Turned out a 1/2" nipple on the stuffing box and let go and started to fill her up. Took a while but the forward port holes were open and once they met the water it was all over.

The pictures above Centre: as she looked when I first saw her. Next James Nelson setting up pumps and Murray Brown fishing for dinner. Next another picture when we first arrived.

Above, slings are on and pumping started. There's Murray again.

Lots and lots of pumping. Three 3" pumps bringing her up. Last picture she's finally up and on her way to Burrard Yacht Club for inspection and clean up.

This next series of pictures above show her, from left to right, the first three on the grid at Burrard Yacht Club. One show's her engine being lifted out. The last two show her as she was when converted to yacht.

Next we'll show the actual job of conversion.

To this point we had owned the boat for about a year and a half. We had a 50' Monk which we were cruising with and the Wildwood was sort of on the back burner. During this time we had scraped off the thick coating on the deck and applied Cetol. We had also painted the hull. With the sinking plans changed some-what. Shortly after that we sold the Monk and were in a position to work full time on the Wildwood. Original plans were to keep the Cummins engine but that had now changed. Inspecting it in the shop it was determined that she was much more worn than we had anticipated and so we decided to put in a new engine. That would come later, but for now we hauled the old one out to allow us to get in and strip out the engine room because of the water damage. We now had to completely strip the vessel of all machinery and wiring, something we hadn't planned on doing.

Left to right. Starting to remove decking where the new laminated cabin coaming will be built. Next deck and deck beams removed and new coaming installed. Starting to put in floors. First bulkhead wall goes in on stern cabin. The aft cabin will be a stateroom with the galley ahead of it. There will be an open cockpit raised over the engine room and the old pilot house will remain forward.

Second picture Wendy inspecting her galley and Murray adding how much this is going to add to the kids college fund.. Centre picture the stack sitting on the back deck waiting for it's new home. My daughter Penny applying red lead to the underside of floors.

First picture the deck framing over the engine room, the new cockpit. Next more bulkheads in the aft cabin and side framing going in. Center picture looking aft over the top of the pilot house at the new aft cabin. Next pilot house roof has been removed to clean up deck beams and to allow installation of the new style cabin tops. For the cabin tops we laid tongue and groove cedar lengthways over the deck beams and then covered them with a 1" strip on top of the beams, filled the area in between with foam board, then 3/4" plywood on top of that and then fibre-glassed the top. Last picture shows outside of pilot house having all the old paint removed.

Cabin beams going in. We cut these from timber we had chain sawed out of downed trees at home. Side of aft Cabin. Sides were coated with two part epoxy sealer and them primed. They were then filled with epoxy filler and sanded, primed, filled with fine filler, primed and then painted with marine enamel. Furthest right showing temporary stairs into galley from raised cockpit area.

Grand-daughter Jessica inspecting galley. Next shows the tongue and groove cedar laid on beams with slats running over them above beams to allow installation of foam. This will be followed by 3/4" plywood and fiber glassed. Center first coat of glass on aft cabin. Next tongue and groove cedar varnished ready for first layer on pilot house roof.

First picture above, all cabin tops now glassed and gel-coated and trimmed out. Next, stack finally in place above engine room. View from at towards pilot house. Wendy varnishing pilot house windows. Windshield for centre cockpit steering station installed. Last showing center cockpit steering station and access to pilot house.

Access to aft cabin. Interior of forward master cabin in focsle. Center showing galley dinnette from aft lounge.. This was opened up and changed as seen here and master cabin built forward. Next picture shows lounge area from galley. The first year the after area was bulk-headed off and set up as a master stateroom but this was changed by the second summer as the galley area was not large enough for entertaining. Last is other corner of galley showing fridge.

Interior of pilot house. Next on lift from stern. Last picture from bow. Hull very stream lined and easy to push.

We spent a year and a half doing major portion of conversion to yacht and over the next two years changed the galley and added forward stateroom.

"Ladner Lass" is a 47' ex seiner which is currently undergoing conversion to a yacht.

First picture is of the Ladner Lass as she was originally built. Next three pictures show her as she was before conversion started. At some point in her life her pilot house had been raise which gives excellent visibility when cruising and was going to be retained.

The hold in the vessel was foamed and glassed, and removing that was first priority. Until it was removed you would not know condition of the hull in that area. You also needed to know what sort of head room you would have. This was a big job and took about two weeks to complete. Once this area was opened up the original bulkheads had to be re-positioned to allow for the after trunk cabin. At the same time the fuel tanks were slid into the hold area from the engine room and cleaned and painted. All old plumbing and electrical wiring was removed from the boat.

The vessel was lifted at Trites Marine in Steveston and a portable shelter erected over it. All of the housework except the pilot house was then removed. Designing the housework took a lot of time and was constantly being reviewed as things were opened up. Original intention was to have a full cabin aft, but it was found that the sheer line of the vessel when viewed on the side was quite different than what you saw. As in many of these vessels, it was found that the deck from the bow to the after end of the old house was on one line, but it altered quite drastically from their aft, so the deck did not flow as it appeared to. It was found that to have a continuous long cabin would not be practical, as you would run out of headroom unless the whole cabin was raised substantially. Thus the decision to have the aft trunk cabin. Murray Brown of Browns Boat Works, located in Steveston, was brought in to build the new cabin. Murray is well known amongst the fishing fleet and does excellent work.

The above three pictures show the vessel after she has had all but the pilot house removed and the new cabin framed it. The third picture shows the original pilot house with the bulkheads removed, notice how the floor level in the pilot hose is about 4' higher than the aft area.. First picture looking into new aft trunk cabin which will become the master stateroom. Center picture shows starboard side in the new galley looking aft towards trunk cabin.

"BLUEBERRY"

Ex Fire Boat "Blueberry" converted to tug and then yacht by Fremont Tug in Lake Union, Seattle. (these two pictures courtesy of Mark Freeman, Owner, Seattle, WA)

"FOREST SURVEYOR"

Ex Forestry Patrol Vessel "Forest Surveyor" ex Combat class vessel. Purchased from government service by Peter Brown, a skipper for Seaspan, who lived aboard and chartered during the summer months. Recently sold and undergoing some changes as Yacht.

"GLENDEVON"

Ex Tug "Glendevon" Glen Class Tug converted to Yacht by Art Anderson. Operated for many years out of Prince Rupert by Armour Tug & Salvage and later for Bute Towing and then Rivtow out of Vancouver. An exceptional conversion which has completely re-built the boat to better than new.

Vessel currently for sale.

(These two pictures courtesy Art Anderson, Owner)

"GULF TIDE"

Ex Tug "Gulf Tide" Originally used towing wood in Interior lake. Brought out and rebuilt at Allied Shipyards. Towed oil barges and general towing for a few years before being converted to Yacht.

"ISLAND RANGER"

"Island Ranger" Ex Tug converted from ST. We currently have a sister vessel for sale under our Tug section - lower pictures show this tug as it is now. Asking Price is $ 65,000

Similar ST

"CASTLE ROCK"

"Castle Rock" ex Forestry boat. This picture taken when vessel first purchased. New Owners Penny and David Thompson picked the boat up at Brentwood Bay, ran to Vancouver to load supplies and headed off on three weeks vacation. Over the last three years they have extensively re-fitted her.

Maritime Towing

" "Green Cove" Towed logs on B.C. Coast. Dismantled and sunk off Point Grey. Photo from Don Medforth at Westcoast Tugs site

courtesy of Don Medforth

Now a Yacht Still around as Yacht

"Vigourous II" "Hornblower"

Tug "Vigorous" fire. Written off and sold. Was converted to Tug Yacht.

These three photo's

"CREOSOTE"

"Creosote" ex tug now character yacht. Picture taken in Kingston, Washingon.

"ELLA McKENZIE"

" Ella McKenzie" 36' wood tug converted to yacht. Robert Kleaman with some help from Murray Brown, of Murray Brown Boatworks, gutted housework and fitted with spacious galley opening into pilot house. Fcsle fitted with double bed and room for head. Due to an accident the vessel was sunk. When raised the main engine was removed and the vessel sold. Now in Tacoma completing re-fit as Yacht. The "Ella McKenzie" was built by McKenzie Shipyards in North Vancouver to the same design as the "Glendevon" and built from timbers left over from WW2 construction of the Glen class tugs. Recently purchased and returned to BC. Owner had major re-construction work done on the tug.

"LESLIE ANN"

"Leslie Ann" Old wood tug converted to Yacht/Liveaboard. Presently in Maple Bay

(Photo's courtesy Don Medforth)

"MARLIN II"

"Marlin II" 72' wood tug. Originally a steam tug with upper pilot house. Now converted to a character yacht in the U.S.

(These two pictures courtesy Don Medforth)

"OKISOLLO"

Okisollo" ex Combat Class vessel built during the war for coastal patrol. Converted to tug and operated towing logs. Converted by the Wilson family to Yacht in the late fifties. First picture (photo courtesy Don Medforth, taken around 1981) shows her as originally converted. Command Bridge was later removed. photo courtesy of Don Medforth

72' Rock class Fisheries Patrol boat currently undergoing conversion to Yacht.

"UNION JACK"

"Union Jack"85' Glen class WWII tug operated for many years by Straits Towing Ltd. Converted to Fishing Charter Vessel.

(Picture courtesy Art Anderson)

"Lady Goodiver" ex "Maplewood"

"Maplewood" Retired and converted to charter vessel "Lady Goodiver"

photo courtesy Don Medforth

Charter Yacht converted from U.S. Subchaser which had previousley been a tug. Currently for sale.

"Passagemaker I"

"Passagemaker I" was built in 1958 in White Rock, B.C. for the Canadian Navy as a Dive Tender. We have owned her for about 5 years and during that time have turned her into a very comfortable yacht.

"Winamac" ex "Sea Rover"

photo courtesy of Don Medforth

Tug "Sea Rover" was operated for many years by Bute Towing in Vancouver, B.C. towing equipment barges on the BC Coast. Was sold for conversion to yacht. Pictures below were taken during re-construction as a yacht in Seattle. Since these pictures she was struck by another tug and sunk. Subsequently re-built again and last reported still going strong.

"Sea Wave" shown at various times in her history. Presently being converted to a yacht in Seattle and is for sale. Built for Young & Gore, of Vancouver, B. C., Sea Wave was launched on July 18, 1923. Built at Vancouver Shipyards in Coal Harbor, Vancouver.

She measured 85 feet in length and 19 feet in the beam. Her original engine was a 4-cylinder, 200 h.p. Werkspoor Diesel, speed of 9 knots at 275 rpm when running light. 225 rpm when towing. The propeller was four-bladed, the blades being detachable, with an area of 15 square feet. It had a 6 1/2 foot diameter propeller.

"Owl" ex "Louise Idaho"

Photo courtesy of Don Medforth

"Pacific Dolphin" 40' Wood Tug built in 1957. Powered by GM 6:110 with stern blower. Allisson 4.5:1 Reduction Gear.

Currently for sale for work or conversion to character yacht

"J.H. Phippen" & "Husky II"

"J.H. Phippen" restored as historical vessel in Prince Rupert

"Nitinat Chief"

photo courtesy of Don Medforth converted to yacht.

Above 2 photo's courtesy of Don Medforth

"Sea Ferring" last seen in Fraser River as house boat.

TUGS STILL TOWING

"LPG 4" ex"Rivtow Eagle"

"Sea Cap II"

Originally owned by Valley Towing. Now based out of Campbell River.

"Sea Guard" Owned by Don McKenzie and operated out of Porpoise Bay, Sechelt. Used both for work and as yacht.

"Sorg" now "Why-Ack Brave"

"E.D. Stone"

"Tugger York" then "Curtis K", "Merry C" now in Nanaimo as "Tugger G"

Originally "Mary M" then "Lorraine K II" then "Grey Dawn" currently owned by Tymac

"Reliant"

"Sea Coaster"

"Standfast"

Oops! ex "Seaspan Rover" now "Mountain Rover"

"Black Bear II"

Currently for sale. Vessel refitted and Cat D379 completely rebuilt

"Black Prince" ex "Marjorie L"

Tugs "Black Prince", Jomar", "Imperial Yarder", "Colleen K" in back. False Creek Towing dock, False Creek, Vancouver, B.C.

"Black Tusk"

"Burrard" Ville Class ex Canadian Navy Tug - 1st picture in storage in Winnipeg, 2nd picture arrived in Vancouver, 3rd picture ready to go to work. Presently working in the Nass River area.

'Commodore Straits" in the Great Lakes moving ships.

"Chugaway II"

"Colleen K"

"Colleen K" ex "Forres" Last picture shown is the last I have seen of her. Still out there? Please let us know.

"Sea Champ" ex U.S. Army ST

"Gambier Chief" ex "La Bette"

"Gulf Prince" ex "Kitmano"

Originally "Gulf Rosemary" now "Nanaimo Husky"

"Gilspray"

picture courtesty of Rick Shrewsbury

"Hilda McKenzie"

"Hyak II"

"Iron Mac" after sinking

"Island Commander" originally "Andrew Kelly" as shown in 1st picture.

pictures courtesy of Don Medforth

"Grand Bank" ex "Savage Warrior" ex "Grand Bank" Sunk in Campbell River. Skipper lost. Raised and rebuilt but as of 2005 not yet back in service. Currently for sale.

"J.M. Swain" destroyed in fire. Rebuilt as the "Malaspina Voyageur" Now named "Lady Jodi". Sunk at dock in Fraser River December 2008 and written off by insurance company. Will likely be refurbished.

"Gabriola"

These are current pictures. Originally powered with cat engine. Had stack, upper controls with dodger, towing winch. Built by the Gulf of Georgia Towing Company.

This picture taken a few years ago in Porpoise Bay

"Humphry J"

Originally built as "Debra K" by Vito. Had major fire when in Williston Lake. House removed and waiting rebuilding by present owner in Alberta.

"Service IX"

"Glengary" shown here arriving from England where she was purchased by Seaforth Towing.

"Jean L" Owned at the time by Lyttle Bros Towing. Shown towing logs off Pt. Atkinson.

TUGS THAT ARE GONE

Anyone having information or more pictures of these or others please pass along

"Island Ranger" ex "Pacific Foam" Photo's of Pacific Foam courtesy of Don Medforth

These two pictures courtesy of Don Medforth

December 2008 - Island Ranger aground in Tofino, B.C. Reported dismantled.

These photos courtesy of Westcoaster.ca

"Gillfoam"

"Gillspray"

"Marpole"

"Sea Imp"

"Solander"

Operated by Bute Towing out of False Creek towing barges. Now a fish packer.

"Green Point"

Operated in False Creek by Evens Coleman & Evens hauling small gravel barges.

"Atlas"

"StormKing" originally "R.Bell Irving" (1st Picture) Was recently sunk & raised.

No longer towing. Sunk again and not raised to my knowledge

"Glenshiel" ex "Lotbinnere"

The "Glenshiel" was recently sunk and reported not recoverable. 2007

"Ocean Plunger" Lost in Indian Arm

"Rivtow Rogue" Lost with all hands

"Island Planet" ex "Attaboy" The first tug operated by Island Tug & Barge of Victoria, B.C. Many years ago I saw her after conversion to something other than a tug looking not long for this world. Doubt she is still around.

"Gillking" Last operated by Pacific Tug towing logs. Reported dismantled. in Port Albernie

"Jordina" originally "Kathy K". Built by Bissett & Gillstine in North Vancouver. Reported destroyed by fire.

Above pictures of Kathy K new being launched from Bissett yard in North Vancouver

When "Kathy K" was a year old she suffered an explosion and fire. Shown here after being raised in False Creek.

"Marjorie K" originally "Artic Straits" reported dismantled after sinking in the Queen Charlottes.

"OB I" Last seen in Lund, B.C. on land slowly falling apart.

"Scimitar" Sunk running from Campbell River to Logging Camp.

"Sea Comet" ex Combat Class. Reported lost by fire in Howe Sound.

"Sea Foam II" Reported lost by fire.

"Myn Best"

"Sea Fox II" Sunk. Keel broken.

Last seen as a barge in Oyster Farm.

"OB I"

"Sea Venture" Lost by fire and sinking. Operated for many years by Bute Towing of Vancouver towing equipment barges.

"Smitty" Sunk. Last seen in a field at Celtic Shipyards in Vancouver.

"Stormer" Built by Dick Richardson and operated by him until he passed away a few years ago. Was sunk off Campbell River.

"Swiftsure II" Sunk. Was raised & converted to yacht. Would appreciate a picture as she is today.

photo courtesy of Don Medforth

"Gander" last operated by Gulf of Georgia Towing in B.C. Sunk. photos courtesy of Don Medforth

"La Fille" became "West Coaster". Reported lost by sinking.

"Seaspan Mariner" & "Seaspan Charger" Sent to China & Scrapped.

two pictures courtesy of Don Medforth

"Seaspan Wave" Sent to China & Scrapped

"Kingsway" re named "La Pointe" sitting semi-derelict in Fraser River, B.C. Reported may be converted to live a board.

two photos courtesy of Don Medforth

"La Bette" Sunk off Point Grey while dumping barges for Expo

"Le Prince" one of two sister tugs. One converted to yacht and the other scrapped.

"Rivtow Lion" ex "Prudence" Sunk as dive site off Nanaimo, B.C.

"Rivtow Viking" Reported scrapped in China

"Seaspan Wave" Sent to China & Scrapped.

"Seaspan Star" Scrapped.

"Emerald Straits" Sunk with all hands in Howe Sound

photo courtesy of Don Medforth

"Goblin" "Goblin" & towing ship out of False Creek during WW II

"Goblin" Sunk photo courtesy of Don Medforth

2nd "Kathy K" ex "Westminster Chief"ex "Buster B" sunk & dismantled Prince Rupert, B.C. Originally Steam Tug "Buster B". Rebuilt during WWII by Westminster tug as virtually new tug, just the original keel left. Building new was not allowed during war time. Later new keel was installed. Second picture after rebuilt.

"Marlin II" now a yacht in Seattle & second "Kathy K"

"Kitmano" sunk off West Coast of Vancouver Island

"Manson" Sunk off Texada Island with loss of all hands.

"Nitinat" Sunk & written off.. Last seen being used on oyster farm.

"Radiant" ex "Nanaimo Chief" (Straits Towing) Converted to Yacht in mid sixties. Sunk and dismantled Shown here alongside "Pacific Challenge"

"Sea Booster"ex "Island Booster"

"G.M. Flyer" Last seen on Quadra Island. Reported dismantled.

"Mount Comet" ex "Jorgie" dismantled in Port Moody..

"Gulf Bird" ex "Black Bird" owned by Gulf of Georgia Towing. Pictures taken shortly after she was raised after sinking. Now serves as machine shop at Fisherman's Dock in False Creek, Vancouver'.

two photos courtesy of Don Medforth

"Haro Straits" sunk off Point Roberts with loss of all hands.. Shown here moored in Mission, B.C. She has since been rebuilt for service as a fish packer.

photo courtesy of Don Medforth

"Deerco" Last picture taken at Quadra Island.

"Ocean Plunger" Sank in Indian Arm.

photo's courtesy Don Medforth

"Mary Mackin" from start to finish

photo's courtesy of Don Medforth

"Florence Filberg" ex Miki class tug. Operated for many years by Crown Forest in B.C. Sunk in Seattle.

"Beatrice" originally steam tug, converted to packer in False Creek for hauling dynamite. Sold to Clay family and named "Arrowac Freighter". After a number of owners she was lost when she sunk. Was underway when she started to sink. Crew made a desperate effort to get her to shore. Arrived at a dock and got some lines on, but she sank and was swept away by the tide and never found.

"Dexter" picture taken in Okeover Inlet in behind Lund.

"P.F. Stone" built by Stone Bros in Port Albernie. Lost when she lost power and went ashore on the West Coast of the Queen Charllotte Islands. Second picture she is shown in the background on the left of the "E.D. Stone" Last three in the Charrlottes