William Passano was the original owner, and became a part of Matthews history by taking Galatea on her maiden voyage from Port Clinton Ohio 1100 miles to Baltimore MD. Mr. Passano wrote about his journey in “The Rudder” in 1942, and made Matthews history with that journey through rivers, lakes and channels. He owned her and kept her in Gibson Island MD for 47 years.

In 1988 Mr. Passano sold her to Thomas Skahill who sailed her up and down the East Coast, then transported her to Newport Harbor, Newport Beach California. He changed her name to Patrician and she became a well known in the Harbor, and had regular trips up and down the West Coast and several trips over to Catalina, even acting as the Commodore's boat of the NHYC.

In 2002 she was acquired by Allen Stewart, who changed her name back to Galatea and moved her to the Balboa Yacht Club. At one point, while docked in Newport Harbor she suffered damage that pulled her stern apart and had to be partially reconstructed.

In 2017 Matthew Bott, a Costa Mesa resident, avid boater, and talented craftsman went to work on her. Matthew spent the next few years rebuilding the engines, hull, new paint, varnish and electronics panel. Ultimately deciding Newport Harbor needed a Wooden Boat for Harbor tours, in early 2021 he started Newport Harbor Tours, with the dream that the average person could enjoy the wooden boat experience.

In December 2022 Jeff and Wendy Kleid purchased Galatea and Newport Harbor Tours with the intent to use all of Matthew Botts Labor of Love work and bring back the true essence of Galatea in her heyday. In short time Galatea was sanded, varnished, with additional electrical, new cushions, redoing the cabin top to show the original mahogany beams, and adding modern updates such as radar, windlass, vintage parts, and entertainment upgrades. Also currently redoing the Galateas original tender to bring her back to her original appearance. And most recently we have contacted and through FaceTime been able to show the family of the origjnal owners a tour of Galatea. We are currently waiting on more stories to learn about the first 47 years. Such an exciting time for this vessel!