- MAY. 26, 2014 Western Flyer, wooden fishing boat that author John Steinbeck chartered in 1940, later to write about journey in The Log From the Sea of Cortez, is caught in battle over its fate; boat is decaying in Port Townsend, Wash, boatyard, and owner Gerry Kehoe has proposed moving it to Salinas, California, where it will be installed in lobby of boutique hotel; Robert Enea, nephew of vessel's skipper, opposes plan.