San Mateo is a very sturdy 41' wooden trawler built by Ed Wall in 1956, one of many which have worked the west coast fisheries.
She was purchased by Bent and Eric Jespersen as a multiple family boat, a cruising base for dinghy sailing and kayaking.
She has also filled a void left by selling respectively; Limfjord, an H28 built by Bent and Myrrh a custom 30 designed and built by Eric.
The drastic reduction of the west coast fishing fleet in the last 10 to 20 years has made many boats available for purchase. The majority could be said to be tired but the occasional sound boat has proven an ideal starting point for a new life as a work boat style yacht. The cleanup and conversion of San Mateo has took much out of a year of Bent's retirement. The result is a very capable and comfortable boat with ample accommodation and minimal intrusion on the original appearance.
Eric now owns San Mateo and she functions well, as required, for towing various projects to and from Jespersen's shop in Canoe Cove.
Thanks to Jens Fischer for the two photos of San Mateo under way.