We were actually starting to look at other options -charter a boat? camping? road trip?- because although temporarily boat-less, we weren't about to just buy any boat for the sake of having 'something' in time for the end of June.
It was a push to get all the pieces in place to make this trip happen! It has become family tradition to do a 2 week boat trip immediately after I close the doors to the bandroom doors at school -even if that means returning after our trip if any loose ends need addressing. We were actually starting to look at other options -charter a boat? camping? road trip?- because although temporarily boat-less, we weren't about to just buy any boat for the sake of having 'something' in time for the end of June.
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Wanting to use Matt Harris to do the survey, his sched. meant a tight timeline if we were indeed to move forward with the purchase, wrap up the paperwork, do the delivery, and get a chance to prep her for our traditional 2 week, beginning of July, cruise. Logistics meant the simplest thing would be for Lisa to take us down to Anacortes, and then drive back up and pick us up at our slip at Pt. Roberts. Neither of us preferred the idea of me soloing it, so it was great that our friend Robert was available and enthusiastically agreed to join me for the trip. Upon arrival, the first thing we had to do was shoo off the riffraff -our friends Jim & Cheryl were standing right in front of our new boat! They were there at Cap Sante attending a Nordic Tug gathering, but a nice coincidence. Having spoken with them at a Squadron picnic about this boat that we hoped would come together, it was really nice that they were the first aboard her. After fuelling up, Robert & I were off. A typical 'later than planned' departure meant that we would be hit harder by tidal currents for most of the trip. Forcasted winds were 2-4 knots, so we were pleased with the 7-10 we found as we exited the marina. We un-furled the genoa and headed across for the SE tip of Guemes Isl. Things were settling in, there were a few tankers anchored to be navigated, so we were in no hurry to get our main up. In fact, once we were to that point, we looked ahead only to see the 3 or 4 boats rounding Guemes get knocked. Change of plans. Unfamiliar still to us, we elected to simply furl in a little genoa and be conservative. Turned out to be the better plan. We had a 18-20 kn head wind as well as an opposing current all the way up to the north tip of Lummi Isl. We motor-sailed; actually it was more like motoring with a reefed headsail for steadying of motion. We didn't worry about trying to figure out all the electronics, but 'heading' feature on the auto-pilot was simple enough to engage, and all we needed on the longish S-N legs of the trip. Lisa and Elsa were waiting for us at our slip at PRM. Our slip is on the awkward side of the wharf finger, so this docking is a little more challenging that my inaugural on at Anacortes fuel dock, but in unscathed. Full of varying conditions, it was a good (but long) first trip for me on this boat. I was again so grateful that Robert was able to join me, as it would not have been the best first trip for the rest of the family. This is going to be an enjoyable, fun, comfortable boat for us. I can't wait! It's been a busy couple of months! Right in the middle of prepping for school end, a listing came up that seemed right for us. We hastily checked it out, and after thorough review, sea trial, and survey (along with some great intel and advice from our good friends Todd & Cheryl) we are owners of a Schock 34 PC! We've already done a 11 day trip in the Gulf Islands with her that only confirmed our choice. More info to follow soon!
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AuthorAsk for more space and what do you get? More time spent cleaning out and organizing it!!! Tune in here for more rants and ponderings from my 'man cave' Archives
December 2022
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