San Diego Union Tribune's Photo Gallery
BELOW: Follow the Frank Edmund on its maiden voyage,
from a Poway back yard to the bay...
from a Poway back yard to the bay...
Nicknamed "Noah" by neighborhood children, Leland Parsons has built a sailboat in
his backyard for 29 years in Poway. Now the boat is complete, and he and his family are gearing
up to take the Frank Edmund on his maiden voyage. In October,
Parsons and his wife plan to retire and travel around the world on the boat for five years.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Ben Parsons is hoisted aloft in a bosun's chair to work on the rigging
of one of the two masts aboard the Frank Edmund, a schooner built
by the Parsons family in their Poway backyard.
Ben Parsons is hoisted aloft in a bosun's chair to work on the rigging
of one of the two masts aboard the Frank Edmund, a schooner built
by the Parsons family in their Poway backyard.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Leland Parsons, left, and son Reed Parsons work on the name plate and
home port plaques that will adorn the transom of the Frank Edmund.
Leland Parsons, left, and son Reed Parsons work on the name plate and
home port plaques that will adorn the transom of the Frank Edmund.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Leland Parsons, left, and his son Reed Parsons install
the name plate on transom of his schooner the Frank Edmund,
named after Parsons' father-in-law.
Leland Parsons, left, and his son Reed Parsons install
the name plate on transom of his schooner the Frank Edmund,
named after Parsons' father-in-law.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
The interior of the Frank Edmund shows wood everywhere, teak,
mahogany and even rosewood.
The interior of the Frank Edmund shows wood everywhere, teak,
mahogany and even rosewood.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
The Parsons family takes a pre-move photo with the Frank Edmund.
The Parsons family takes a pre-move photo with the Frank Edmund.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Ahoy matey! It's moving day for the Frank Edmund.
Ahoy matey! It's moving day for the Frank Edmund.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
The Frank Edmund is transported down Friars Road in Mission Valley
on its way to Mission Bay. The Parsons family worked on this ship for
nearly three decades in their Poway backyard.
The Frank Edmund is transported down Friars Road in Mission Valley
on its way to Mission Bay. The Parsons family worked on this ship for
nearly three decades in their Poway backyard.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
San Diego Boat Movers move the deep-water schooner the
Frank Edmund from the Parsons backyard to Mission Bay.
San Diego Boat Movers move the deep-water schooner the
Frank Edmund from the Parsons backyard to Mission Bay.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Leland Parsons puts on the finishing touches before launch.
Leland Parsons puts on the finishing touches before launch.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Leland Parsons, left, and Cecily Parsons hug after getting their sailboat
the Frank Edmund, rear, down to the Driscoll Boat Yard in Mission Bay.
Leland Parsons, left, and Cecily Parsons hug after getting their sailboat
the Frank Edmund, rear, down to the Driscoll Boat Yard in Mission Bay.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Leland and Cecily Parsons take a moment to appreciate
the Frank Edmund before it launches.
Leland and Cecily Parsons take a moment to appreciate
the Frank Edmund before it launches.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Jill Montoya, left, Holly Vitrano, and Aimee Parsons, daughters of
Leland Parsons, gather around the propeller of the sailboat
the Frank Edmund and said a "blessing for safety" before it was
launched at Driscoll Boat Yard in Mission Bay.
Jill Montoya, left, Holly Vitrano, and Aimee Parsons, daughters of
Leland Parsons, gather around the propeller of the sailboat
the Frank Edmund and said a "blessing for safety" before it was
launched at Driscoll Boat Yard in Mission Bay.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Cecily Parsons, left, is hugged from behind by her husband Leland
Parsons after she christened their sailboat the Frank Edmund, with
a bottle of champagne at Driscoll Mission Bay Boat Yard and Marina.
Cecily Parsons, left, is hugged from behind by her husband Leland
Parsons after she christened their sailboat the Frank Edmund, with
a bottle of champagne at Driscoll Mission Bay Boat Yard and Marina.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Family and friends of Leland and Cecily Parsons watch as their boat
the Frank Edmund is lowered into Mission Bay at Driscoll Mission Bay
Boat Yard and Marina.
Family and friends of Leland and Cecily Parsons watch as their boat
the Frank Edmund is lowered into Mission Bay at Driscoll Mission Bay
Boat Yard and Marina.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
The Frank Edmund prepares to enter the water.
The Frank Edmund prepares to enter the water.
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
The Parsons family realized all its hard work on the sailboat the Frank
Edmund as it was launched at Driscoll Mission Bay Boat Yard and Marina.
The boat had yet to have two masts stepped and the wheelhouse installed.
The Parsons family realized all its hard work on the sailboat the Frank
Edmund as it was launched at Driscoll Mission Bay Boat Yard and Marina.
The boat had yet to have two masts stepped and the wheelhouse installed.