Built at Coal Harbour in 1922 by Hoffar Motor Boat Company for Isador Claman, Privateer was initially powered by a Van Blerk gasoline engine, then a Hall Scott Invader.  Later on, she had a somewhat mysterious power configuration that involved two engines before eventually arriving at her current Bedford Diesel.

With a hard chine hull and a narrow entry, Privateer was built for speed, at launching she was registered as capable of 15 knots with an 85 bhp motor. When the 200 bhp Hall Scott was installed in 1927, she must have been interesting to see on the water!