The last home inhabited by a Native Duwamish family stood near the site of the present-day Seattle Yacht Club.

During Prohibition, Portage Bay became a tolerance zone where houseboats provided alcohol and companionship.

In 1912 there was one boat shop on the lake, in the Tokyo Tea House on the University of Washington campus shoreline.

Newfound wealth from the timber, fishing, transportation, and retail businesses in the 1920’s fueled demand for luxury boats. The Blanchard Boat Company was one of the leading yacht builders of Seattle.

An ancient cedar becomes a canoe, a rotting rowboat is renewed, a fleet of children set sail, and modern urbanites master ancient seafaring skills.