Thunderbirds Come Home

50th Anniversary Brings Legendary Boats Back To Their Home Port
Susan Schell-of the Gateway

Gig Harbor residents will be treated this summer to the sight of up to 50 Thunderbirds entering the harbor under full sail for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Thunderbird Sailboat. The boats are scheduled to sail into the harbor on August 1st and participate in a three-day celebration of racing, festivities, a banquet and a chance for the public to see the 26-foot plywood vessels.
The festival will be presented by Fleet No.1, the local Thunderbird owners club, along with the Harbor History Museum and the City of Gig Harbor.
The boats with the brightly colored sails have a special connection with the port: They originated here. The first Thunderbird was designed by Ben Seaborn, built by Ed Hoppen at Gig Harbor’s Eddon Boat Company, and launched in 1958.
Thunderbird hull No.1 was donated to the Harbor History Museum by Hoppen’s son, Guy, and daughter-in-law, Ann. It will remain on permanent display at the new museum.
“In the 1970’s, there were about 50 boats that were active in the fleet,” said Gary Davis, chairmanof the 50th Anniversary Thunderbird Festival. “There will be anywhere from 30-50 boats in the harbor for the celebration. I’m expecting there will be some old-timers there, too.”
Gig Harbor History Museum curator Victoria Blackwell said Thunderbird owners from the West Coast, East Coast, and Canada have been invited to the festival.

Friday August 1st
The Thunderbirds will enter the harbor throughout the day and stop at Jerisich dock. The public is invited to meet the Thunderbirds and their onwers.
In the late afternoon, the “Windsong,” the newly restored hull No.3 , will be launched at the Gig Harbor Marina behind the former Harbor Inn Restaurant.
At 6pm, the Harbor History Museum will host the official event kickoff at a location to be announced. It will feature a Thunderbird Exhibit and oral history booth. Wine and Hors de’oeuvres will be served. The public is invited to attend.

Saturday, August 2nd
At 9am, hull No.1266, “Thunderbaby,” a brand new Thunderbird built especially for the event, will be launched.
Music and activities will take place throughout the day at Skansie Brothers Park.
The Thunderbirds will catch the wind out of Gig Harbor and participate in a regatta, either in Puget Sound or Colvos Passage, depending on the weather.
During the evening, a banquet will take place at the Gig Harbor Yacht Club featuring music and a special program. The public is invited, but tickets will be needed to reserve space. Tickets may be obtained by calling the Gig Harbor History Museum at 253-858-6722.

Sunday, August 3rd
The Thunderbirds will participate in the “Flight of the Flock” sail inside the harbor. “It will be like a poker run in Gig Harbor itself,” Davis said. “The boats will round rubber rafts and pick up a card. Whomever picks up the most cards wins.”
Davis said the boats may have to travel under motor power, as the wind is often light in the harbor during the summer months. He added that the anniversary celebration will mark the first time Gig Harbor has had a large number of Thunderbirds gathered in the harbor in more than 30 years.