A Deal is Made, Springer is born

We have been dealing on a 2007 North Pacific pilot house for the past couple of weeks. The brokers and I have been trading phone calls on a daily basis seeing who can get the best deal. Finally today we have come to a compromise and settled on a price which all parties agree to. So it looks like we are going to be the proud owners of a 42 foot North Pacific pilot house. The next step will be to start the surveys on the hull and mechanical which will be done next week. There has been a couple of small issues with the boat already noted, such as a window that leaked and stained the teak wall as well as a broken window that was repaired but not to my standard. These are warranty items that will be taken care of by the company later on this fall. We are hoping to go cruising the latter part of August once all of the surveys are complete and we take possession.

Cruising for Springer

The hunt for our retirement boat is officially on. We have spent dozens of hours on the internet site http://www.yachtworld.com/ checking out countless pilot house trawlers. A 42 ft North Pacific pilot house is for sale in Gig Harbor Washington. It's a 2007 model with very low hours so a decision was made for a road trip. We jumped in our red demon and drove to Sydney, and jumped on the ferry to Anacortes. While there, we stopped at a marina and looked at Nordic tugs. Very nice trawlers but still not exactly what we're looking for. Onwards down through Seattle, Tacoma and finally Gig Harbor. We met up with the salesman at Emerald Bay Yacht Brokers and traveled to Olympia to view the North Pacific 42. The owner of the boat happened to be on board and we spent the next few hours viewing the boat and all the systems. The owner thought it would be a good idea if we flashed up the engines and went for a ride. We stayed within the bay and tied up a slip beside an oyster restaurant and had just a great afternoon overall. Presently we have an offer on the boat, however we are still apart on the price and are still negotiating. In the meantime, Sherry and I drove to Vancouver to Capstan Marine and purchased a new Grady White 228 Seafarer. It will take a week to commission the boat and have delivered to Campbell River. Can't wait.

Last voyage of Los Suenos'

Good friends of ours, Todd and Corrine arrived this morning from Costa Rica. Today was going to be a great day as we were taking out our precious boat for its last voyage as we have sold Los Suenos' to new owners that will take possession next week. We left Campbell River and made our way across the channel through the Baker Passage and into Desolation Sound. Our first stop was Teakerne Arm. Capt. Vancouver and his men anchored here for an entire winter and camped behind the waterfall at Cassel Lake. This is a very popular place in Desolation Sound as most cruising boats will show up here to view the falls and walk back to the lake and go for a swim.

We took a slow cruise over to Squirrel Cove. Years ago there was a Baker that set up shop in a dilapidated old shack on stilts. The Baker would make special cinnamon buns that were half dark rum. Boats from all over the world would come to Desolation Sound at one point or another and would end up with cinnamon buns from the Baker. Squirrel Cove is also a protected little bay where we have spent several days in the past waiting for good weather. I noticed in the corner of the bay there was still an old rope hanging from a tree limb where our children used to swing from the shore out into the bay playing Tarzan. In the summer the bay can get quite warm and quite often you would see several people swimming around their boats.

We pulled anchor and made our way back to Campbell River and tied up for one last time. The new owners will be getting a terrific boat and I'm sure it will serve them well. Todd and Corrine will be going back to Costa Rica with great memories of Desolation Sound. Sherry and I are off to Washington tomorrow to find our new retirement boat.

Cordero Lodge

July 4, 2009 Travelling On Los Suenos'
My wife and I have created this blog for your enjoyment and for you to follow our adventures. We have sold our 26 Ft Commander called Los Suenos" and the new owners will take possession in a couple of weeks. So as not to confuse anyone, our new boat, Springer - not purchased yet will be featured soon. We are travelling to Washington this week to view and hopefully finish a deal.

We travelled from our slip in Campbell River, up through the Seymour Narrows. The weather was clear and warm. The water had a 2 ft chop. As we passed Browns Bay, we encountered a sudden change of weather. The winds gusted approx 30 knts and the waves became confused and we encountered 5 to 6 ft waves. Our vessel burroughed and slammed its nose into a wave ( wall of water ) . Water blew around us and over the top. It was like being in a washing machine for a couple of miles. As suddenly as it started, it abated to a 2 ft chop and all was normal. There was no damage at all to the boat which reafirms my faith that "Commander" build some of the best quality fibre glass boats on the market in the 26 ft range. We travelled through Nodales into the Cordero passage and tied up to the Cordero lodge. Excellent docks and very friendly staff. We decided to stay the night and had dinner at the restaurant. It is worth the trip to have a meal here. It was excellent. For more info on Cordero Lodge go to http://www.corderolodge.com/

We met up with Mike & Betty from Shamon 11 on their 48 ft Gulf Commander and enjoyed a great evening.