A Classic Wooden Sportfisher Yacht
    
                        

   THE IDA MAY

Previous Ruth L. & Nada III
The Ida May, copyright 2010.
This website and the monumental restoration of the Ida May is a tribute to Lois Laurel-Hawes and her father, Stan Laurel.
  Ship's Clock being returned back to the Ida       May after 70 years!!! Click here for more info.
To contact us please send us an email to ida.may@hotmail.com
1926
The Ida May (previous Ruth-L and Nada III) is a historic        
wooden sportfisher motoryacht built in 1926 by 
the renowned yacht builder, Hugh Angelman for 
Willard A. Van Brunt, a previous president and co-founder 
of John Deere Van Brunt & Company. 


The yacht was built for $120,000 in 1926 and was 
purchased 9 years later by Stan Laurel of Laurel and 
Hardy comedy fame. She was considered the fastest 
and most expensive yacht in America at one time. 
Laurel renamed the yacht the Ruth L., after his wife. 




















The Ruth L. was quite a favorite of the Hollywood crowd. Many celebrities, a U.S. President, a former champion heavy weight boxer, and even a Prince have honored the decks of the Ida May. The Ida May is listed in the National Park Service, Department of Interior as one of the Historic Ships to Visit and is listed as a Large Historic Preserved Vessel in the Maritime Heritage Program. Sea Magazine honored the Ida May as one of the top 25 Classic Yachts.
Learn about our research trip to Catalina Island
Click here to see 
New Photos of the Interior!!
Before and After
St. Francis Yacht Club Presentation
Willard Van Brunt with his record 
catch, a bluefin tuna, 1926.
Stan with his 258 lb gold button Marlin and his wife Ruth, 1936.
Stan and Ruth Laurel with friends on the Ruth L. (Ida May)
Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel
         Laurel and Hardy.
Stan Laurel's Yacht Reborn - Feature article in Classic Yacht Magazine! 

Click here to see a video tour of the Ida May