Preview: GLORYBE – A Pure Simple Pleasure Boat

*     *     *
OffCenterHarbor.com is a membership website with over 1,000 videos and articles on boat handling, repairs, maintenance, boat building, dream boats and more.

Sign up above to learn more, and get 10 of our best videos.

*     *     *

When a pleasure boat as sweet as GLORYBE chugs into view, even the most die-hard of sailors start thinking that maybe a power boat might not be such a bad thing after-all.

Originally built in 1914, GLORYBE was built to be a pure Northwest pleasure boat, made for relaxed cruises up the Inside Passage. Betsy Davis, Executive Director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, bought Glorybe as a 40th birthday present to herself. Before that, Betsy was a boatbuilding student in Seattle and helped bring Glorybe back from the ashes after she burned and sank in 2002. She was relaunched in 2004 to the cheers of nearly 100 boatbuilding students and a dozen previous owners.

Get Free Videos Start Free Trial Members Sign In

Comments, Thoughts or Suggestions?

You can leave a comment or question for OCH and members below. Here are the comments so far…

Leave a Comment

20 Responses So Far to “GLORYBE – A Pure Simple Pleasure Boat

  • William Schleuse

    William Schleuse says:

    Pleasure is the operative word here! I, too, am curious about what kind of engine drives Glorybe at her leisurely and relaxing pace; the dry stack exhaust is almost a tease in that regard! Wonderful vessel, wonderful video.

  • Alan Stannard says:

    I love the look & lines of the Glorybe, a big thank you Betsy for taking us on a wonderful journey.
    The colours of the hull and cove line just makes the boat more beautiful and appealing to the eye.

  • Brent Williams says:

    Wow, another beautiful story/journey of a beautiful boat.
    Great job, the rebuild was absolutely perfect.

  • Donald Goldring says:

    Love the way Betsy loves the boat! She is so lucky to have found Glorybe

  • STEVE GARTON says:

    Here I am in Hong Kong and a long time bitten by the bug of wooden boats, such an inspiration to get back to old-fashioned sensible ways of living. Thank you, Betsy and Glorybe!

  • Judie Romeo says:

    I want to live to be as old and as beautiful as GLORYBE. If ever a vessel could convince sailors of the virtues of powerboating, she’s the one! Bless you Betsy for keeping GLORYBE alive and well.

  • Duart Snow says:

    Lovely boat, lovely story. And look at that slick, minimal wake…effortless! Simplicity forever…

  • Terry Smith says:

    Once again, my OCH membership has delivered an oh-so-welcome 10 minutes of peace and reflection.

    Some of my favorite memories of my father come from hours spent years ago “Horizon” — our family’s “slow boat.”

    How fortunate for us that Betsy and students were able to recover GLORYBE from the ashes.

    • Greg Mactye says:

      Well-put, Terry. A beautiful boat indeed. I am supremely jealous! (I would LOVE to see more of this boat – especially her power plant. Might that be in the offing perhaps?
      Greg Mactye

      • Greg Mactye says:

        Oh I forgot to add – my first “old slow boat” was my grandfather’s 1964 Ulricksen, on the Great South Bay on Long island NY when I was just a kid. Many many good times were spent aboard her, learning to fish, handle a boat, and going to places like Fire island, and Jones, Orchard and and Gilgo beachs. Amazingly, I found out a few years back, that the daughter of the Ulricksen family is a lawyer, who practices not 15 lives form where I currently live in west central NJ! Small world!

      • steve johnson says:

        Yes indeed.. plus a whole episode devoted to Betsy putting together one of her favorite meals in that perfect little galley .. Please !

  • Gerry Samms says:

    Beautiful…. nothing like a slow boat
    I just bought an ex fishing boat to turn into a slow cruiser

  • jeff Nicholas says:

    A great story and a beautiful boat. Thank you for sharing both with us.
    Jeff in Montana

  • Chang Hyuk Kim says:

    Thanks for sharing such a beautiful boat picture. I am falling in love with GLORYBE.^_^ Where Can I find, or buy a plan of the GLORYBE?

  • Charles Thompson says:

    Lovely little boat. Thanks for sharing!

  • David Tew

    David Tew says:

    Thank you Betsy! I enjoyed listening to your appreciation of ‘slow boats’ (we’ve got a displacement motor boat, too.) Lovey music also.

    • steve johnson says:

      yes the tune was perfect accompaniment balance ..

  • Christopher Chadbourne says:

    It’s so very reassuring to see, once again, that good boats tend to find good owners. Thanks for sharing an inspiring glimpse of both.

GET THIS FULL VIDEO!

Get Immediate Access, Plus
10 More of Our Best Videos

Your email is safe with us.
We'll NEVER share it, and we DON'T spam.

or …


Start Free Trial

Get Instant Access as a Member to the Entire Site

  • Access all 1000 videos/articles
  • No risk! Cancel anytime
  • Get a nice discount if you join