From collection Everett "Red" Boutilier Collection
PALAWAN
PALAWAN, built by Paul Luke at his East Boothbay yard was one of 6 different vessels owned by Thomas Watson- all named PALAWAN. Luke's PALAWAN was the fifth. A 50' aluminum ketch she was launched in 1980. PALAWAN in this shot is high and dry in a cradle along side a dock. PALAWAN Launching, July 3, 1981 Palawan, a yacht Luke built for Thomas J. Watson Jr. of IBM, is about ready to be launched. Watson planned to take this boat to the Arctic, so it was built with an extra strong rudder and reinforcement at the stem for iceberg protection. The windows in the hull were an unusual feature. Once the boat was at the launch site, its systems and seaworthiness needed to be carefully checked while the owner and well-wishers waited. Sometimes things needed to be adjusted or fixed. It was not always a certainty that the launch could be completed when was scheduled.
