2nd thoughts

We've really enjoyed extended stays on the Carver but....getting the boat underway and moored that has me very concerned. We faced wind and a strong tide current which took us an hour just to get away from the dock. We had to move another boat too in the process. Arrival was a similar challenge. The captain had to do it....no way I could. This raised our eyebrows on the feasability and expenses of using the boat in the off season. On open water, she handles like a dream. In close quarters, she's a toad....and I question if the white knuckles experiences we'll have docking it is worth the reward, not to mention the cost of moorage and gas for twin crusaders.

Consequently, we're thinking about selling it after charter season. In it's place, buy a creme puff RoadTrek Class B RV (campervan) for around 25k and haul the all season 22 footer Campion wherever we please. Under tow, the van get 12-15 mpg. The boat gets 4 mpg. Heck of a lot cheaper than moorage and gas for a 30 footer. Also, we have the versatility of sleeping in the RV or the boat, cruising land or sea or both.

Our other thought is chartering the Carver year after year and while using it ourselves a few times each year. Offseason, put it on the hard. If the income vs. expenses is on the plus side each year, then essentially somebody else is buying our boat while I enjoy some nice tax benefits.

Thoughts??

-Greg Kalama, Washington

Our first venture into LaConner was hair-raising. We were sea trialing it with the owner at the helm. Going past the transient dock, he lost the port engine (later repaired....distributor cap). Compounding this was the tide, current, and a 10 knot wind. He managed to get the boat sideways and we just drifted into the dock, hitting the dock just right. Fenders held....no damage....but the owner lost a year of his life.

LaConner will never be my home port. Love the town....especially the LaConner Brewing Co. restaurant. Best pizza and beer I've ever had!

-Greg

Depending on just which direction and how fast the Swinomish is running, it really can be a bit tricky to get away from the dock at LaConner. If you were tied up at one of the guest docks and didn't have a lot of room fore and or aft between boats, there's a possibiilty that it could have been downright challenging. Since I wasn't there, I won't second guess the guy who was- but without any more specific information it sounds a lot like one of those situations that would go much smoother with the use of a spring line or two. It's normal for skippers with a lot of experience on a specific boat to pay extra attention and breathe a minor sigh of relief when successfully landing or departing during a strong ebb or flood in the Swinomish.

I'd suggest hiring somebody to help you get up to speed in the handling department. Did you place it for charter with ABC? If so, I know they have some suitable trainers available.

Anytime you get a new boat, it takes some time to get the feel of it. Tell yourself that you'll give it 4 90-minute practice sessions before throwing in the towel; I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you were able to develop sufficient confidence.

There is more to it than my willingness to learn. My wife is uncomfortable with her duties as well. She has a bad knee which makes it tough to move fast or jump onto the dock.

There was an excellent article about trailerable trawlers in this months PassageMaker that got us thinking too. Say we want to see Port Townsend and then Victoria. Hook up the boat to the RV and go. Weather's good....boat over. Weather's bad....unhook the boat/trailer at a launch or boatyard, secure it, and then explore the town. Later..take a ferry to Victoria and then come back and get the boat when we leave. The Roadtrek is a 19 foot van which will fit in any regular parking spot. Best of both worlds instead of being solely dependent on one.

-Greg

If you go to the link, our Carver is "She Said Yes"

-Greg

I usually stop there for gas on my way to Lopez Is. and even with a 14' that's as maneuverable as a single outboard can be, it sometimes takes me two or three attempts to land and one very fast and often hair-raising attempt to leave. ;)

> > If you go to the link, our Carver is "She Said Yes"

Looks comfortable!