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| New to Northwest Boating
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July 28, 2004
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This letter brings up many questions new Northwest boaters have, and I have tried to answer them.
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Hi,
I just ordered the Waggoner on your website and wondered if you would be kind enough to help a neophyte get pointed in the right direction. I have spent some time in the Campbell River-Cortes Island area and am planning to sell my house in Colorado, purchase a boat, and spend a couple of years cruising the Washington and B.C. coast -- particularly Cortes Island and northward. I have limited small boat experience on inland lakes including the Great Lakes, but have no illusions about being prepared for large boat/ocean cruising. I have been doing some research and so far am leaning toward a trawler in the 32 to 38 foot range. I will be operating it alone most of the time and although I am 65 years old, I am quite active and in good health. I plan on taking any appropriate boating courses and possibly attending an onboard school. I am used to living on own and backpacking in the mountains so the wilderness aspect doesn't bother me and I am really attracted to that area and the ocean.
So the questions I have are:
Am I crazy?
Would a trawler be appropriate for the area? I notice that there don't seem to be a lot for sale in the NW. Any recommendation on manufacturers if they are?
Are there other types of boats you would consider more seaworthy and appropriate for the area vs a trawler?
Is it possible to handle this size boat alone given enough schooling and practice?
Any training programs, classes, schools or captains you would recommend or avoid?
Any brokers or surveyors you would recommend or avoid?
Is Point Roberts a reasonable place to use as home base given that I want focus in B.C.?
I know cell phones work on Cortes and wondered if you know how far north of there you can get reception? (I need to be able to communicate with clients -- at least periodically)
Thanks for help and your book and website.
Tom Watts
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Response
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Hi, Tom,
I'm back from five weeks cruising to the north end of Vancouver Island and return, including almost three weeks single-handing. After you learn how to handle the boat, single-handing is very do-able. But you do need to know how to handle the boat in close quarters. It takes time and practice. The goal is to feel that you are wearing the boat.
Let me address your questions somewhat in the order you posed them.
1. Are you crazy? Not at all. Understand, though, that coastal cruising is better done with one's best girl if it can be worked out. There's a reason most of the committed cruising boats are operated by couples. There are boy jobs on board and girl jobs. And it's so very pleasant when you get to where you're working as a team. It's fun to do, and fun to watch as you meet other boats that are well-managed by couples. This is what might be called the emotional side of cruising, as opposed to the skills side.
When you are single-handing, you get to do everything. I found that I planned ahead more carefully, and paid closer attention to everything around me. I also found that neatness and cleanliness became almost an obsession. Everything got put back after it was used, and everything was kept clean. I've seen boats where those things weren't as important, but to me they became very important.
2. Is a 32-38' trawler an appropriate size? You bet. Either single engine or twins. If you have a single, though, you'll want a bow-thruster ("egg beater," it's often called, although one older guy on our dock refers to his boat's bow thruster as "training wheels"). Our Tollycraft 37 sport fishing style boat has twin diesels and no thruster. But if I were single-handing a single-engine boat, it would have a thruster.
Especially for single-handing, you'll be happier with a boat you can get around in -- and on and off of -- easily. This means few or no stairs between the helm station you use for landing and both the bow and stern of the boat. I would want a low cockpit with a transom gate opening to a swim step, both for landing and leaving. There are many occasions when you have to move quickly, and you want a boat that's easy to get around on.
Other designs? Sure, there are many designs other than trawlers that would be suitable for single-handed cruising in these waters. It would be worth your time to schedule a vacation out here and walk the docks looking at boats and talking with owners.
3. Training. I learned the hard way, but it takes longer. The one program I'm familiar with is Bob Meng's On-Water Training, in Seattle. Telephone 206-282-3800. I've not taken his courses, but everyone who has is very positive. You'd also be wise to join a yacht club and a Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadrons group. They're all different. Look until you find a club or group that feels good to you, and join that one. Take part in club outings and cruises. You'll have friends to help you, and you'll learn a lot.
4. Point Roberts is fine, but if you live in the Puget Sound region you'll have to cross the border twice getting to the boat and twice going home. And you'll still have to cross the border on the boat to get into B.C. LaConner, Anacortes, Bellingham or Blaine would be better, I think.
5. As for broker and surveyor recommendations, I think I'll stay away from those subjects. Well, one exception. When we bought our current boat all the money and paperwork was handled by Kim Marine Documentation in Seattle. Selling or buying, I would insist on going through Kim again. It's worth every penny.
6. Cell phone coverage is good but spotty up to the top of Vancouver Island. You'll find strong areas and weak areas, sometimes where you least expect them. But you'll be able to stay in touch most of the time.
Regards,
Bob Hale
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