Isabella's keel was laid in 1950 by Kettenburg Boatworks, Point Loma California, Near San Diego. She was built for Paul Kettenburg Jr. as his personal fishing vessel and yard tug.

In 1974 during an overnight fishing trip near the Channel Islands she drug her anchor and ended up on the rocks partially sinking her. She was then re-fitted in 1977 with the help of Mauricio & Sons Boatworks. She was updated with new electronics, cabin upgrades and her Chrysler Crowns were removed and she was repowered with CAT 3160’s .
At this time, she was purchased by Mr. Brombacher Her named was changed from “Lucky Lady” to “Isabella “after Mr. Brombacher’s wife. She then made the trek to the Bay area around 1978. In the early 1980’s Malcolm Bury a friend of Mr. Brombacher’s talked him into donating Isabella to the Piedmont Sea Scout’s. At that time, she became SSS Isabella.