The Boat Is Loaded

This boat has sat in my front yard for over 5 years. This past year Bob has really concentrated on getting the boat ready to put into the water. All of the wood has been removed, sanded, refurbished and reattached. New carpet has been laid. A new blue strip was applied - by the master, Kevin. New bottom paint is only one to two days old.

Hours and hours of work are now behind us and Bob is ready to get it in the water. Believe me, loading a boat this size in no small project. Kendal and Bob worked fervently for several days. We brought the boat down to the church the night before our launching day.

Going Down the Freeway

Two lanes going west - finally we are in one of them. The boat is very heavy and each small bump is felt - the heavy traffic of the holiday has subsided. All is well.

At The Marina

Ah, we had a safe and wonderful 45 minute trip to the Marina, via the freeways and through the cities. We are at the top of the boat launch and the tide is moving out fast. The water is much lower than expected (we were given a boat launch time so our options are closed). The boys are in running mode - everything had to be checked and performed at full speed ...

The marina floats on the water and the roofs of the houseboats are low in the sky line. At high tide they would be taller than the boat. You can just barely see peaks of the Olympic Mountains above the roof line.

Kendal is busy checking the ramp, the steepness of the ramp, the low water, the tightness of the straps - the boat and trailer will have one final steep drop and we do not want the boat to break loose.

Launching The Boat

Oops, the tide is moving out fast and the ramp is very steep. Bob asks one more time if the plug had been put back into the boat. This time the answer was NO and the guys scramble to get it in place.

Heading To The Boathouse

All is safe. A huge job well done. Kendal sighs with relief, "It floats!". We laugh. One slight hiccup - the engines will not keep running! No problem. The dingy is ready and Kevin is eager to pull the boat.

Time to Play

The boat is safely in its own house, so it is time to play. Kevin and Kendal take the dingy and buzz around just for fun. The air is warm, the sky is blue, no rain - a beautiful day on the water.

In The Boat House - still things to do

Foam, that we had used under the boat to keep the boat at the right height above the trailer, was being held in place by the pressure of the water. Kevin stripped down and entered the chilly water, working until his legs were numb. He was barely strong enough to pull loose the blocks of foam.


Kendal ponders the engine problems - they run beautifully, but they do not get enough fuel to stay running. A number of possibilities will have to be sorted through and worked out ...
on another day.