Ralph Heingardner and Marcia Gowing, owners of s/v Lirella, a 1996 Mk II, hull # 1565, are photographed as they dock at Gig Harbor, WA. Both were wearing their PFDs, a sure sign that the docking procedure would turn out to be professional. It’s a pleasure to watch good close-quarter boat handling.

When asked about the name, Lirella, Ralph explained that in England fiberglass is called “g r p”, which stands for glass reinforced plastic. Lirella is a small marine animal, a “glass reinforced protoplasm,” he said…an animal with a glass skeleton. Ralph and Marcia are both biologists (Marcia’s specialty is marine biology) so they would know these things. The marine animal Lirella is even more beautiful than the Catalina 36 Lirella, I am told.

S/V Lirella is based in Everett, WA.

15Sept2009