Hecate Ranger is a heavily constructed wood boat originally built for use as a British Columbia Forestry Service vessel.

Built in 1962 for the BC Forest Service as part of their survey and patrol fleet, Hecate Ranger was designed to operate in the waters of Hecate Strait and around the Queen Charlotte Islands.  The largest boat ever built by the BC Forest Service, Hecate Ranger was the queen of their fleet.

In 1984 the Forest Service auctioned off their  fleet and Hecate Ranger was purchased by Frank Huff of Seattle, who cruised her to Alaska a number of times as a private yacht.

In 1994 Hecate Ranger was purchased by John Woodard of Seattle who, in 1999, engaged Anderson Shipwrights on the Ship Canal to undertake extensive modifications including conversion of the aft tow winch deck to an enclosed and covered fantail;  extension of the upper deck and replacement and reinforcement of the bulwarks, as well as many custom interior touches that transformed the vessel in to a regal and comfortable home.  John lived aboard and cruised Hecate Ranger from her home port on Bainbridge Island for almost 22 years.

In 2015 the current  owners purchased Hecate Ranger  and under their careful stewardship she has been the beneficiary of continual upgrades  and additions, most notably the decision, in 2016, to have the hull refastened and re-caulked from the waterline down by Haven Boat Works in Port Townsend.  This substantial investment, which involved 4,000 new fasteners and 285 linear feet of new planking, will extend the longevity of this classic vessel for many more years to come.