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Circe Turns Ninety and the 2022 Victoria Classic Boat Festival
Circe will make her return for the 2022 Victoria Classic Boat Festival in Victoria, Canada, September 2nd – 4th.

Circe is a locally beloved racing yacht designed by Ben Seaborn, built in 1932 at Lake Union Drydocks in Seattle, Washington. She is Ben’s first design, completed when he was only seventeen years old and is a testament to his true genius and legacy in ship design. In her heyday, she competed in the Transpacific race from Santa Monica to Honolulu seven times.
Currently owned by Michael and Cornelia Gifford, Michael partnered with Stan Keck as Circe’s Captain and Shipwright since 1995, looking after all of her maintenance and repair needs. As of June 2021, Michael became the proud owner of this phenomenal yacht. Michael believes more importantly than owning Circe he is her steward and joyfully takes on this responsibility.
This site is a harbor for the maritime community who have shared in Circe’s long history, to those who wish to support her unique value, and as a digital archive to maintain her inspiring story.
Length Overall | 67 ft / 20.4 m |
Beam | 14 ft / 4.3 m |
LWL | 50 ft / 15.25 m |
Draft | 10.5 ft / 3 m |
Design or Class | Ben Seaborn Racing Yacht |
Boat Type | Sail |
Rig | Cutter/sloop |
Gross Displacement | 35 tons |
Sail Area (working) | 1700 ft2 / 158 m2 |
Sail Number | 2 AA |
Number of Engines | 1 |
Engine Model | MD21A Volvo Penta |
Total Engine Horsepower | 70 hp |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Builder Name | Lake Union Dry Dock |
Location Built | Seattle, WA, USA |
Year Built | 1932, April 14 |
Designer | Ben Seaborn |
Hull or Design No. | 1 |
Documentation or State Reg. No. | WN251354 |
Owner Name | Michael and Cornelia Gifford |
Owner Country | USA/Canada |
Home Port | Seattle, WA |
