Prohibition era luxury yacht docked in La Conner

Rumor has it Al Capone’s old boat has been tied up at the guest dock at La Conner Marina lately.

The large vessel, with its Roaring 20s lines and teak helm that conjures up images of Old Hollywood, is the Acania, a 136-foot luxury yacht built in 1930 — at the start of the Great Depression and in the final years of Prohibition.

The last 84 years have given it a checkered past, with many names and many owners since, and it was nearly destined for a scrap yard until its current owner, David Olson of California, took custody of it.

Olson, spent almost six years restoring the boat and is spending the summer cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest for its first tour in many years.

“A lot has gone into this boat. It has a long history,” said Olson. The boat was afloat during the Great Depression and Prohibition, and it was commandeered by the military during World War II. “It’s been a charter boat. It was used in the military. It sailed in the waters around Miami, Florida. The Walgreen family owned it, and it was up in British Columbia for many years,” Olson said.

A step inside is like a step into another era. The original wood panels, bronze, and furniture have all been restored, and there are photos cataloguing the boat’s history. Everything is gleaming and shining, just like when it was new in 1930.

Details in the July 23 issue!