When making decisions that will have an effect on  the entire family, the thought process has to be absolutely clear. Several years ago, Jeff Ault and his fiancée, Michelle Bailey, were searching for an activity that would involve the whole family. It'd have to be something that would take them outdoors, that they could all do together. Jeff went boating as a child with his grandfather, so he liked the idea of being able to provide his kids with the same positive memories he carried with him. Michelle was excited about the idea too, so they began their search for a family boat.

"I had spotted a 1959 Skagit cruiser parked by the side of the road," remarks Jeff. "I stopped to look, but it was really a basket case, and the seller wanted way too much for it. But it was a very cool-looking boat, and I knew that it would be perfect for our family."

Having passed on the '59 Skagit, Jeff's search for the right boat continued. In 2002, he found a 1958 Skagit 20 Express on eBay that looked viable, but the auction had already closed. "I contacted the seller, and he still had it," says Jeff. "The bidding never met his reserve. I traveled down to Eugene, Oregon, to look at the boat. It was love at first sight - I knew that I wanted it. He had a definite idea of what he would take for the boat, but I also knew my limit. We went back and forth a number of times. I had given up. He was driving away with the boat when I pulled him over and made him one final offer. He countered again and the deal was made."

Jeff's boat is a unique find. Skagit Plastics Boat Division produced its first boat, a 20-foot Express Cruiser, in 1955. Located in LaConner, Washington,  its boats reflected the serious big-water look of its geographic region. Building approximately 1,000 boats in its short-lived production history, the company closed its doors in early 1961. Nearly half of its entire production was dedicated to  the Skagit 20 in three configurations: the Offshore (larger cockpit), the Express (larger cabin), and the Tyee, a convertible with a hardtop option. All were offered in both inboard and outboard models.

The Express was perfect for Jeff's family because it featured the larger cabin. Jeff brought the boat home, and the work began. It was in very good structural condition, but the finish had oxidized. "It took some loving hours in the backyard with the buffer and rubbing compound, but it came back really nice," says Jeff. "I especially like the ivory color - it's not like the white that's used on new boats."

Jeff spent a week working on his new boat. As soon as it was polished up, he took it out on the water, and his family has been using it every since. The boat came with a 1977 Johnson 115 that they ran for a couple of years until it quit. They found a suitable replacement in a 1997 Johnson 115. "It really gets up on plane fast, and it never feels sluggish," says Jeff. "It's a great boat all around. I just can't imagine anything else that's 50 years old that could be any better."

"I love the design," adds Jeff. "There's so much freeboard.  It just looks so cool; it's kind of a style thing with me. It has that common-sense styling. It's got the perfect combination of curves and straight lines that truly bring form to function."

Boating has really brought the Ault family together. "We purchased the 1958 Skagit 20 Express as something to do with the family," says Jeff. "We could have taken one trip to someplace like Disneyland, bought some souvenirs, and in a short time had nothing but a brief memory to show for our money. Instead, we bought this classic, and have so many memories already that are priceless. Things like father-and-son projects working on the boat, family camping trips, birthday parties pulling all the kids around on tubes, and cruises exploring the lakes, rivers, and beautiful Puget Sound. There's nothing that compares, not even close."