Yacht includes Lynn on port-of-call list

LYNN – She has explored the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, and ventured into the Dry Tortugas Islands near Key West. And for the past few days, the 46-foot yacht “Sirens Call” has docked at Lynn.Bobbing on the waves at the end of the pier at Lynn Yacht Club, “Sirens Call” belongs to John and Gayle Crowley of Suquamish, Washington. (Gayle Crowley is originally from a place a bit closer to the North Shore: Burlington.) John Crowley built the yacht in his backyard over a 5 1/2-year period.”He did it all himself,” Gayle Crowley marveled, noting that this included making his own metal-bending machine.She also said that her husband is “all self-taught” and that he used to build custom houses.John Crowley said that in the marine department, he had only built “small boats” before tackling “Sirens Call.” His previous projects included a 24-foot welded aluminum offshore fishing boat in Puget Sound.”Sirens Call” has a 16-foot beam and a 6-foot draft, along with two engines (one a backup) and a water-maker. She has a 500-foot chain and a 170-pound anchor.There are also aspects more common to land dwellings, like a butcher block in the kitchen and room for the Lenox china.John Crowley launched the yacht in May 2008, out of Port Townsend, Wash. “Sirens Call” began its journeys by going north, as far as Juneau, Alaska.However, Gayle Crowley said, “John said he was sick of cold weather. He turned the boat around to go where it was warm, where he was never going to be in the cold again, on the Pacific side.”The Crowleys traveled south along the Pacific coast to Mexico, where they visited the Sea of Cortez. Then they voyaged farther south, to the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.”Sirens Call” then achieved a milestone by passing through the historic Panama Canal.”With your own boat, it was an unbelievable experience,” Gayle Crowley said.Her husband added that through a webcam at the canal, people can watch vessels going through. Gayle Crowley said that her parents in North Carolina watched “Sirens Call” cross the Americas.Then it was time to head north, along the Atlantic coast of Mexico, and to make a landing in US territory at the Dry Tortugas. “Sirens Call” ventured as far north as Annapolis on its first summer on the East Coast.This past winter, the Crowleys got an invite to visit Lynn Yacht Club from several members they met in the Bahamas: Ray and Patty LaBranche of the catamaran “Whisper.””Sirens Call” docked at the club last Friday afternoon.”Lynn Yacht Club has treated us like celebrities,” John Crowley enthused.”They have been wonderful,” his wife said, noting that over 100 people visited the boat at various times on Saturday.John Crowley added that he and his wife have been made honorary members of the club, and have also received a gift of a club burgee (flag).The boat was scheduled to depart on Wednesday.”We’ll hop our way up and fuel at Gloucester,” John Crowley said. “We have friends in Newburyport to visit whom we met in the Bahamas.”After that, it looks like the Crowleys will head to Maine. And it sounds like the adventures won’t stop anytime soon.”We’ll take either Cape Horn or (go) to Europe the next couple years,” Gayle Crowley said.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].