THEN & NOW
A Seaworthy Sight
THE ZAPALA WAS A BELOVED VESSEL THAT CARRIED SOME OF THE RESORT ’ S MOST NOTABLE GUESTS . TODAY , THE SEA ISLAND EXPLORER CONTINUES ITS LEGACY .
| BY ALLISON EMERY |
The Zapala , inset left , was state of the art for its time and was the resort ’ s original yacht from the 1920 ’ s . The Sea Island Explorer , unveiled in 2018 , offers scenic tours of marsh-lined waterways , wildlife excursions , cocktail cruises and more .
It was only fitting that Howard Coffin named his first yacht after the place that made the Detroit native and Sea Island founder first fall in love with the coast of Georgia : Sapelo Island . Coined Zapala , a Native American adaption of its island namesake , the yacht was built specifically for Coffin in 1927 by Luders Marine Construction Co . with only the finest furnishings and construction .
“ Having the yacht added a very special touch to Sea Island ,” explains Merry Tipton , former director of marketing communications at Sea Island . “ The 124-foot power yacht , with a crew of seven , was sleek , beautiful , richly appointed and truly special for this fledgling resort .”
And truly special it was — outfitted with two gasoline engines , the 159-ton motorboat was state of the art for its time , adorned with a bright white wooden hull with decks of teak and cedar . In addition to crew quarters , it boasted both elaborate owner and guest staterooms , a social hall with large , low-sitting windows perfect for unobstructed viewing , a dining salon with table service for eight , a sprawling observation deck and a kitchenette equipped to prepare lavish meals .
The vessel was sold in 1933 , along with Sapelo Island . In a testament to its affection by the Coffins , when Matilda died in 1932 , the yacht carried her casket from Sapelo to St . Simons Island , where she was ultimately buried — a route she had undoubtedly taken dozens of times before .
While it ’ s unknown where Zapala ’ s own final resting place was in history , its legacy lives on in the resort ’ s current yacht , the Sea Island Explorer , a 71-foot , multilevel yacht that can accommodate up to 49 guests . “ The Sea Island Explorer offers today ’ s members and guests the opportunity to see these beautiful barrier islands in much the same way Coffin ’ s early guests would have enjoyed being aboard the Zapala ,” Tipton says .
Unveiled in 2018 , the beautifully crafted Sea Island Explorer offers tours around scenic marsh-lined waterways , daytime wildlife excursions , pre-dinner cocktail cruises , and is available for wedding ceremonies and celebration tours . Tipton adds , “ Beautiful decor , lustrous woods , fine food and drink and the magic of the marshes have remained as special as they were in the early years .”
86 SEA ISLAND LIFE | FALL / WINTER 2022 / 23