The Ruby Seadragon (formerly Mei Wen Ti) is an authentic, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted wooden Chinese junk boat. She was built about 80 miles up the Yangtze River in an ancient yard that hadn’t built a junk boat since the 1940s, when they were last common in China. Her original owner, Walt Hackman, chronicled the build in a published memoire entitled “No Problem, Mr. Walt.” As he notes, the Mei Wen Ti is an authentic Chinese handcrafted wooden junk made with exactly the same techniques as Marco Polo witnessed in the Yuan Dynasty.
No issues with running or living aboard now...the photos are a few years old and show her potential; there are definitely projects to be done. She needs to be owned by someone who loves and understands wooden boats, and who has the stamina and resources to make her shine again.
A bit more about the boat:
She has two strong inboard Yanmar diesels that run great.
There’s a spacious stateroom w/ queen bunk, very roomy galley, pilothouse and salon / entry area with a dockside entrance door. There are two water heaters; a smaller one under the galley sink, and larger one aft (brand new) to service the washer/dryer area and head. House batteries are new; installed in August.
All bronze port lights, beautifully crafted butterfly hatches throughout, all hand hewn.
Recent work:
Starboard quarter: cover board and shear clamp (22’) replaced, two deck beams sistered in, some planks replaced, and everything made watertight.
Entire foredeck just resealed.
Currently remodeling the head (new fiberglass tub / shower area is complete; need to install plumbing and electrical, including tile and underfloor heating.)
The boat is currently in Morro Bay...must be moved from slip upon purchase.