Mardo was built in Los Angeles in 1929 for Matt J. Walsh of San Pedro.  The Coast Guard lists the builder as Los Angeles Ship Building.  In 1936 Walsh sold Mardo to Iniskin Drilling Company of Los Angeles. Iniskin changed the vessel classification from Yacht to Motor Vessel (i.e. commercial service) and listed Towing as the class of service.

In May of 1941, Iniskin sold Mardo to F.H. Hartley Stroud of Seattle.  Mardo was again earning her keep, this time in support of the country's defense. After serving in Alaska, the Hartley family got busy with post-war repairs.  Mardo once again became a pleasure boat, as she was preparing for charter service. In 1952 the Crosby family bought her to use for charter fishing on into the 1960's.  In 2002 Mardo celebrated 50 years with the Crosby family.  Most of this time she has been used throughout the Pacific Northwest as a family cruiser.

In 1999, a seven month refit was completed at Port Townsend by Baird Boat Co. Expectations are that Mardo's saga of service to the Crosby's will continue for generations to come.