July 22, 2021. We got the following email from Paul L checking in as the new owner of Fire Escape.

Good afternoon!

My name is Paul L, the proud new owner of Fire Escape. I am a USCG Officer with 11 years in the service, just moved to the area. Primarily, my career in the USCG has been on ships at sea.

Have always wanted a sailboat, just moved to the San Francisco area, and am definitely looking forward to taking care of Fire Escape; no plans to change boat name or hailing port. Please pass to Mary (Webmaster Note: Mary McConnell is the former owner) that her well-loved boat is in good hands. (DONE!)

God Bless

Paul

Welcome aboard, Paul!!

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March 15, 2021 - We received the following heads up about this CraigsList For Sale ad for Fire Escape. There are 23 photos in the ad - this is the link https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/d/san-diego-1978-pacific-dolphin-24-sail/7290650474.html

1978 Pacific Dolphin 24 Sail boat - $20,000 (San Diego)

1978 Pacific Dolphin 24 sail boat on a 1997 Carrier, both extremely well kept, super clean with current registration 2021. It's been sailing in Bay area waters, currently parked in Sacramento storage facility, for serious buyer boat can be brought to OC or anywhere you ask. Previous owner passed away, ready to go..

Contact: 323-348-six051

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This is the history we have on Fire Escape

Richard and Mary McConnell's Fire Escape, Pacific Dolphin # 299, DONATED, Paradise, California (updated February 15, 2020)

February 15, 2020. We got the following update from Mary

I’ve heard nothing since Fire Escape was driven away. Eventually when it is auctioned I will be notified of the price for my donation papers.

They did say they would give the Dolphin 24 information to the new owners. Hopefully someday you will hear from them.

Mary

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January 14, 2020 - Mary responded to a New Year greeting and an update request. We are standing by.

Fire Escape will be picked up Jan 25. I’m not sure if it’s been sold thru the company I donated it to. I just hope that whoever gets it loves it as much as Richard and I did. We spent 100’s and 100’s of hours making it beautiful.

If it’s OK with you, I’d like to let the company know about your website and maybe they can pass the information to the new owners. YES!!!

And, thank you for the Happy New Year.

Mary

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December 12, 2019 - Mary advises that Fire Escape is possibly sold....Standing by

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November 29, 2018. Most of us have been following the dreadful news about wildfires in California these past couple of weeks. Given Fire Escape's location in Paradise, California this prompted an update request from your webmaster. Mary McConnell's reply (edited)

We've been trying to sell the boat for quite a while, as you know. It was suggested to list it on "boats for sale by owner". I did that. A person seemed interested, but I had my doubts. He wasn't interested in seeing the boat. Anyway, he sent a check and it bounced because he stopped payment. Very questionable. Anyway he said he is going to send another check.

In the middle of this, we were evacuated from Paradise because of the Camp Fire. We've been gone for 2 1/2 weeks. We probably won't get back just to look at the property for two more weeks. The boat survived as well as our house. (Webmaster Note - What's in a Name....) We are currently in Auburn, California.

So, to answer the question, we still have the boat, but still trying to sell.

Mary

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November 20, 2017 - Still for sale - standby for new ad/price

June 5, 2017 - Craigslist ad updated - priced reduced to $15,000 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/6152261216.html (Expired)

April 1, 2017. Senior DFI John Cotton brought this to our attention. No foolin, Fire Escape is FOR SALE. Here is the Craigslist ad and the link to the ad.

Must see...24 ft. with 8 HP out board motor. Full keel, life lines and wench. Includes 10 ft. Achilles tender with 4 HP motor. Also a boat tent and we have a Garmin marine GPS unit.

Last sailed in the San Juan Islands. No problems during that 6 week trip.

Contact/reply info at the Craigslist webpage https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/6152261216.html

 

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December 16, 2007 Richard McConnell bought Gordon Thompson's Suzanne and checked in with the following picture. Webmaster Note: Gordon had a website for his boat including a lot of pictures - much of which is reproduced on Suzanne's page

A couple of months previously Gordon sent in the following picture of Fire Escape's new deck paint job.

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January 3, 2008 Richard McConnell sent in the following report.

How I acquired my boat from the Thompsons:  I knew that I wanted a full keel sail boat in the 22ft to 30ft range.  I had seen other Dolphins on the web, but when I saw Gordon's webpage I was pretty sure that was the boat for me.  I called him on the phone and we talked a little and I told him that we would come up to take a look.  So my wife, Mary, and I flew to Portland went to Gordon's house and bought the boat.  I told him I would be back to tow it to California as soon as there was no snow in the Siskyous, probably around March.  We were unable to get the boat until May.

Once we got it home we started the renovation.  We sanded and refinished all the teak on deck, put new nonskid on and painted it. After the renovation, we put it in a slip in Alameda Estuary where we performed sea trials and became comfortable with the boat.  We named it Fire Escape because I am a retired firefighter.  Gordon and Suzanne were gracious enough to invite us to meet them at Port Townsend where they had their new boat and we spent three weeks touring the San Juan Islands with them.  They were very patient and we are very grateful for the knowledge and time they devoted to our enjoyment of the San Juan's. Before we went up there we had jack screws installed on the trailer which sure helped traveling such a long ways.  We have made some modifications to the interior adding a food box on the port settee and some cushion covers, window curtains, V berth covers, sail cover, tiller cover and winch covers out of sailrite material. Our only plan this year, other than routine maintenance, is an electric refrigerator.

Enclosed find a picture of the day we returned home from the San Juan's.

Richard

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December 2, 2009. Richard sent in pictures of Fire Escape's interior with her new electric fridge and galley box (behind the dolphin on the red snap on lee cloth).

The black and grey unit is a Coleman 40 qt capacity 'Thermoelectric' Cooler Model # 5644, with both 12v and 110v power.

The Galley Box

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March 14, 2016. We got the following update from Richard responding to a webmaster request for an update.

Ron,

Thanks for inquiring.

Last we were on Fire Escape was August and September of 2011. We had a great time as usual in the San Juan Islands. Last morning on the water after leaving Anacortes we hit some very bad weather. The boat rocked and kicked. It was also foggy. Mary was thrown onto the floor of the cabin and the table was on top of her. We somehow managed to get into Port Townsend unscathed. It was a great trip although scary at times.

Due to health problems we haven't used the boat since then. It's still in great shape although could use a good wash down.

Richard and Mary

Webmaster Note: Some of us need a geography lesson to better appreciate this great sailing area in the Pacific Northwest just north of Seattle. Click here for Wikipedia's version of the San Juan Islands story

Click here for a larger image

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