Back on Land with Boating on My MInd

The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain are in Gig Harbor, so off I go to take a closer look. My intention was to see the sleeping quarters. While normally closed to the public I was able to see the area. Each person has a full twin sized bed with pillow and sheets, blankets. It is nice. This area would have been the hole for storage. Spoke with several of the crew and I was assured, if desired, I could stand night watches as helmsman. Spent most of the time with the second Captain in training. They were going to assist a family dispersing ashes and fire a gun salute and ring the bells while the family and guests were on a very beautiful Choey Lee sloop. My trip is coming up in September and just being on board makes me want to go to sea now.

I received photos from Russ who took them a few days ago. They are from the Nikon so the quality is really good. It is so nice to have photos under way of Shatoosh. These were taken just oustside the entrance to Martin Slough with Martin Bluff in the background.

Nature Calls Early on Coon Island

Hammer, hammer, hammer goes the woodpecker, squawk, squawk goes the great blue heron, honk, honk goes the Canada geese as they fly over. I get up, it is before the sun rises, and put on that coffee water. The sky is clear and blue and not a whisper of wind. The boat is so still, not moving at all. I open the cabin door and it is too cool for a cockpit visit. I close the door, cover up with my bedroll and wait for the water to boil. Oh boy, the coffee is ready, and a beautiful sunrise to view. I get dressed and sit in the cockpit. What a beautiful morning. the rays of sun warm the cockpit quickly. The crows continue to jabber back and forth with each other saying all kinds of important things.

It inspires me to walk the island. There is a loop trail that skirts the perimeter of the island. Mostly the trail is in dense forest, but opens up in several places to view the water and docks.

I pass a big cottonwood which fell one day when I was docked near by. The noise was incredible and fortunately it fell in towards the island. Not all the trees have fallen inwards, and I have heard of some falling onto the docks on the west side landing on boats.

I return and have my breakfast of green drink and almonds. I scrub some yukie stuff off my newly painted waterline and empty out my solar shower. Start the engine and yes, I do remember to check the water pump discharge. I slowly motor out and am in no hurray to get back. I see the Pacific Seacraft Orion up ahead, motoring up the channel. He must have been on the other side of the island or came up this morning. We are clicking right along at 6.7 knots. I place my auto pilot on. Actually it is my pedo-pilot. I use my foot to stabilize my course. My Dr. Scholl's tennis shoe seems to work the best. Inside my shoe it says, Hecho in China. Isn't that the funniest thing ever? I really get tickled reading that this morning. Another thing you might notice is the little blue item on my shoe. More people have asked about this on this cruise than ever before. In Dec 1979, I ran the Honolulu marathon. This is where I would always put my car key as I was training for the race. I have always worn this on my tennis shoe ever since. I did finish the race and was not last. I see that I could wash it once in a while.

I bypass my marina and cruise upriver looking at all the boats, marinas and floating homes. Then return reluctantly to the marina. I have been onboard since the 12th of Aug. This has been such a remarkable time, getting so much work done and having so much fun cruising the waters. I have met so many new people, run into people I have met before, seen so many interesting boats and become more enamored of Shatoosh's wonderful qualities. Tomorrow I am stopping by Kalama, Wa. to partake in their annual Hawaiian Heritage Weekend, then north to my condo.

I logged in 105 nm.

90 Degree Temps Force Me to Coon Island East

The Compac duo guys depart with the flooding tide at 0730. The wind is up slightly so they get their wish of sailing to Portland. I get my wish of flat water on the Multnomah. We both are winners.

I run into one of my mechanics coming out of Gilbert River in the dinghy with 2 dogs, making a potty run. As I am docking on Coon I am looking for the big deadhead but don't see it and then as I am pulling into the dock it is right in front of me caught on the dock. I swing out and go farther down the dock. Later I attach a buoy to it. Another large tree is coming into my boat with the tide, so I fend off that one, as well. A couple of fishermen drag it down river and put it in with a pile of logs on the other side of the river.

I have a small lunch hook and rode that I keep in the port locker. I have often thought of using that on these short anchorages. I get it out to check it out and discover I had never attached the rode to the chain and the chain to the anchor. Glad I looked before I throw it overboard. After getting that all squared away. I also found a lead line and a throwing monkey's fist in the bottom of the locker. It is good to know what is on board.

There is always a lot of boat traffic coming and going. This is the first time a I see a team of rowers coming downriver. They look quite smart as they glide by in silent synchronization.

Late afternoon begins the cooling off period. I see some shade on the dock so hand turn Shatoosh around and move her to the new spot. I'm the only one on the upper river side. This suits me fine as I hope to have a mini shower later. The water is pipping hot. I look forward to it. There is a whisper of wind blowing up river and blessing the cockpit with sublime sweetness. This is just perfect.

Photo Ops with Russ and Greg

The morning is clear blue skies and a lazy misty marsh fog in the lagoon. I see the triangular wake of a muskrat cruising across Martin Slough. The guys on the little cruiser get up and put on their coffee to perk...I use filtered coffee. They bring out their big guns; Nikons and Cannon digitals with big zooms and wide angles. They get really focused and take lots of photos of Shatoosh, me and their boat. We admire the other sailboat anchored in the lagoon, I say it is a Pacific Seacraft Orion cutter and Russ thinks it might be a Mariah. He knows his sailboats and has a Baba 30, as well as this little one. I bring out my little gun and take their picture. Click and it is off to my email in a flash, so later I can upload it to the blog. We spend lots of time sharing stories, dreams, and talking boats. There is a hint of wind and the traveling duo want to sail. They take off and I head over to talk with the skipper of the ? Orion. It seems that I am correct. It is an Orion. Made by the same company that built Jean's and my Pacific Seacraft 25, Double Trouble.

I catch up with them near the entrance of the Columbia River, when up goes the sails and the guys are happy as clams, sailing the little Compac 19. I circle several times and take photos with my little gun and they are shooting away at Shatoosh. Oh boy, photos under way. I can't wait.

I continue up to St Helens to get fuel, pump out and it is so glorious I cross the river and dock for lunch at Sand Island. Afterwards I head back down river a bit to tuck in behind some small islands just down river of the Lewis River. It is an old silted in log boom area. The tide is going out and my depth sounders reads 6 ft. Too shallow for me but I stay anyway. I come back out into 11 ft of water and anchor and I am protected by a long sand spit. Several big ships have passed and only one put up a big rolly wake. The tide turns in a few mintues at 1800 hrs, so I think I will weigh anchor and head up river. I like going with the flow. It is so much easier. I'll sign off for now, but will add more stories later as the evening rolls around.

I'm cruising by Sand Island and see the little Compac 19. I pull alongside but the guys are off the boat. I tie up and later they show up. Its more story time and I offer to fix dinner with all the remaining fresh foods. We have a nice stir fry with eggs, sausage, cheese, onion, and asparagus. Sugar pea pods on the side. We have a nice meal at the dining table. Its been a long time since I had dinner guests, so it was a wonderful treat for all. It has been really fun to show the guys all the best things about the Albin. They seem convinced that she is a great pocket cruiser. What fun this has been. They are praying for wind in the morning and I am praying for flat waters. No matter what the weather is tomorrow, great fun will be had by all.

Decisions, Decisions

The morning looks dark, wet and gloomy. However my morning coffee seems to pack a punch. It is the new stuff from the Delta Dan and has a vanilla flavor to it. I am planning to go down river to Cathlamet, but with the weather being bad and the weather report talking rain, I pull up anchor and head uphill, going against the tide and current. And to top it all off, the wind is coming down river as well. As I pass Gull Island, the dredgers are busy as beavers and advanced from yesterday. They stretch the whole width of the river and I did not know where to gain passage. I called on the radio and asked if I could pass between the dredger and the yellow buoy. He stated, "yes". I thank him and slog up river and am out of their way.

6 Ships are in Longview. One is from Singapore, one is from France, The one from Port Vila is still anchored. I look up Port Vila to see where they are from. I had seen ships from there before but have forgotten. Port Vila is the biggest port in Vanuatu.

I decide to pull into Rainier, get ice, dump off trash, go to the Mexican Restaurant and then wait until the tide turns to advance up river. I get Pashmina up on the cabin top. While I am out, the Coast Guard Buoy Tender, the Bluebell, out of Portland docks across from me. They are very interested in Shatoosh when I return. They all liked the teak cleats. The crew are all very young men so I tell them that the light on marker 80 is out. They wanted to know where the light was, so I said, "Eureka island". They did not know where that was. I said, "up river from Cape Horn". They did not know where that was, either. They assured me that they would pass on the word.

I met 2 fellows cruising on a Compac 19. It is a very salty looking little cruiser. One guy had seen me in Cathlamet and had liked the looks of the Albin, so looked them up on the internet. I gave them a tour, which by now, you all know is my favorite thing to do. They left the same time as I did. I see them pulling into Martin Slough bout 2 hours after I arrived here. They wanted to try to sail, but gave up at Kalama.

I had another wonderful day on the water, meeting new friends who love boating and getting to be on Shatoosh one more day. It is just the best.

Gull and Eureka Islands

White Eagle is getting ready to depart very early in the morning. I get up and put the coffee on, it is 0600. It cold, foggy and grey with lots of condensation on the outside of the windows. Its funny, I thought it was summer. Their engine starts and I venture over to help with their lines. We have a nice chat and they are headed for Scappoose. He tells me that my anchor light should be vertical on my slanted mast. I said, yes I knew that. A friend had put it on that way and I complained that it should be vertical. Well, that was 9 years ago. This seems to be taking care of 9 year old conditions, so I get the drill, screwdriver and within in minutes the light is correctly affixed to the mast. Wasn't that easy.

I look everywhere for my buckets that are usually tied to aft cabin rail. They are gone this morning, so they must have fallen overboard with all the wind and waves and they would not have been tied. Lesson number 1 for the day is always make certain loose items are secured to the boat. Lesson number 2 comes about 30 minutes later. I turn the heater on to warm up the cabins and have my computer charging and decide it is time to run the engine as I have been using the house batteries a lot. Whenever I start the engine I always check to see the water coming out of the exhaust, meaning the water pump is working and the intake seacock is open. Because it was cold I did not check to see the status of the pump/intake. Mistake: the alarm goes off, indicating the temp is too hot. I've never had an alarm go off. I shut everything down and see the temp is high. I quickly go through things I have been doing and realize yesterday I cleaned the water intake strainer and had forgotten to re-open the valve. I open it and let the engine cool off and later the engine starts up and runs fine the rest of the day.

At 1100 hrs the sun breaks through and it is gorgeous blue skies everywhere. I've been waiting for this moment. I'm ready to head out. I'm in the channel and can't find our bouyed dead head.

It must have floated away like my buckets did.

I cruise down to my favorite Gull Island and see my new Bayliner friends. We each see each other and pull along side and catch up on our activities. I'm in need of some coffee for the next 2 days.They graciously offer a cup full. I discover the name of their boat, while not displayed, is

Delta Dan. They head backup river and I anchor. The tide is running out and the current is strong so this will be a test for my oars.By the time I extend my oars I'm already about 100 yards down river. Getting back up and circling Shatoosh for some photos is a piece of cake. I row over to shore and walk around back to look at the entrance to the back waters. Delta Dan tried to get in with his shallow draft, but turned out because it was just too shallow.

I get back to Shatoosh and decide to tow Pashmina over to Eureka Island. I swing by Mill creek entrance and several men are fishing inside the mouth. There is a big tractor tire suspended off the bridge that one could tie to, but that is not something I wish to do. There is a hint of wind coming up the river as I am anchoring. This time I have selected a spot slightly up river of the sandy beach, but turns out the wind decides to cut through this spot placing the waves and wind on my beam. I'm hoping that at the tide turn perhaps things will settle down. At 1800hrs the situation is no better, so I re-anchor farther down past the

beach. This turns out to be fine. It is a lot calmer, minimal wind but still rocky and rolly. My solar shower has heated my water perfectly, so I have another glorious shower on the aft cabin. The sun begins to set after my dinner and 2 large ships pass each other, one headed up river and one headed for the pacific ocean. The waters stay lumpy until midnight and then it is totally calm and no wind. Now I can really get some deep sleep.

Another wondrous day has been presented to me: for all the lessons learned, all the experiences, all the joys of being on the water and having the sun touch my soul and running into new friends again. I love all of it.

The Final Curtain and More

I awake early and get started right away on the last 2 curtains. It takes me about 2 1/2 hours to do them. Finally, the curtains are done. My dock mates rise slowly this morning, but they begin to muster and all say farewell around noon. I certainly enjoyed their company. The connection for all these people is they all live on floating homes. The other big boats leave as well. I walk back to Shatoosh, it is quiet and I am alone again. I dearly love the time spent with company and I cherish time alone. It is the perfect balance for me. Now, let me finish that list.


Niko departs us.

Stella turns to say good bye

Kiddo uses his bow thruster to shove off from the dock. Too much.

Remember those speakers I bought from the marine exchange. I took them home to make little boxes for them. One is installed in the main cabin and the other is in the cockpit. They certainly have de-cluttered the space. I LIKE IT.

The rest of the afternoon is nice but wind and rollers persisted. About 1600 hrs, it begins to get flat and a trace of wind blows down the empty dock. I eat an early dinner and watch the young fledgling ospreys practice flying and the parents bring in another meal. A Newport sailboat comes in about 1800 hrs and has trouble docking downwind, so I venture out to assist. In a few more minutes a very large schooner, White Eagle, a commercial fishing boat which I see often in Scappoose comes in and he also tries to dock down wind and flood tide and he has to circle back around for a second try. They are just in from Astoria. I get an invite aboard which I dearly love. The skipper has the most elaborate electronic systems I have seen on board a vessel. This is an ocean going vessel and he showed me some of his charting systems on board. He is another "Back Up Billy" guy with repeating systems down below in the chart house. The Newport sailboat just came to have dinner at Walker island and they left just before dark returning to Longview.

The evening sets in fast with White Eagle and Shatoosh sharing dock space for the night.

What Are Geo Caches? And A Dock Full of Fun

My new Bayliner friends who sport a 22 footer tell me about Geo Caches. I was clueless and asked what are geo caches? Go to http://www.geocache.com/ to really explore. But basically people all over the world are hiding geo caches(there are over 800,000). You place somethings into a container and hide it, take your GPS and fix the coordinates of where you are hiding it and place the coordinates on the website. Then any one can pick up your cache coordinates and upload then into their GPS or you can put them in. Go for a hike and find the cache. If you take something out of the container you must replace it with something else. Then you go on line and state that you have found the cache. What a fantastic idea. People are getting out walking and hiking trying to find these caches. I plugged in my postal zone to see if there are any near my condo and there were over 200. This couple had gone on several geo cache hikes in the desert this winter. I love the idea and might look into this. Sounds like fun to me. Modern day treasure hunting with GPS in hand.

Niko, a 41+ Maxum owned by Rick and Roxanna has a very unique feature: an over sized, submersible swim platform which carries their dinghy. When it is off loaded then they have a huge aft cockpit to sit, sun or read a book or perhaps imbibe in a cool one. This really grabs my attention. Late in the day everyone is swimming and floating down the river and all delight when they come sliding in and onto the submersed platform acting as though they all are Shamu. What will man think of next?


























I decide to plug away on my curtain project. I set up my table in the cockpit and it makes for a nice sewing platform. Elizabeth, onboard Stella, is sewing on a cowhide covering for their steering wheel. Everyone else takes off in the dinghies to see an old military vessel up river behind Lord Island. After they all return they want to take a float out to mark a submerged deadhead. I'm easily talked into going along for the ride. We locate it and Paul of Kiddo attaches the float to the big deadhead with a screw. With mission accomplished, both dinghies are tied together and we drift back to the dock with the tide and wind. Everyone is hungry so Sheila of Kiddo and Roxanna whip up lovely pupus for all to eat.



While hanging out on the dock Elizabeth states her finger hurts from all that sewing work on the leather. So I give her a Reiki treatment, Roxanna's thumb hurts so she gets Reiki, as well. Rick's knee and foot hurt so I give him a Reiki treatment too. In the middle of all this magical healing time on the dock, Dan hooks into a 30 in. sturgeon, but throws it back as it is too small.

The dinghy I had tied comes untied so Rick and Kent jump up to rescue the run away dinghy. Later in the evening I am asked to join them for a scrumptious dinner onboard Niko. Everyone brought food but me. I just showed up with my begging bowl and believe me it was filled. There is nothing like traveling with the big boats. Stella, Niko and Kiddo are vessels of the Tremendous Trio.





Uniflight 28









Kiddo with Paul, Sheila and Dan



Europa Trawler













Elizabeth and Kent on Stella

Maxum

Rick and Roxanna on Niko

Hearing the guitar playing at the other end of the dock, I fall fast asleep...

A Stitch In Time

A stitch in time. That is how long it has taken me to sew these curtains. 9 years in the making, but last night I finished sewing the main cabin curtains. After I wrote on the blog I wasn't tired any more so sat up until 2200 hrs sewing to my heart's content. Now, when I slide the curtains open and closed I will not get my fingers pricked by the numerous pins I placed so carefully all these years ago. After arriving at Walker Island and getting tied up I decided to take a leap and take the left over curtain material and make a fitted cover for the cushion in the aft cabin. In the previous photos I have just draped it to cover it. So off and on I worked on it and presto I have a cushion cover that can be removed for washing. Next, will be the aft cabins curtains.

Let me return to my morning at Martin Slough. I walked ashore early with my coffee to check all the blackberries. The island owners had mowed must of them down, but the bushes along the shoreline were getting ripe. I went back to Shatoosh and got my bucket and filled it to the brim. I spoke with the boaters on the dock and they were also thinking of going to Walker Island. I departed 1020 hrs and stopped by to see if my osprey mother who had given birth to 3 babies was still around. All 3 young ones had fledged but were still hanging out on top of the nest and mother was on the next piling. It is amazing she was able to keep 3 alive. She must be a very good mother.

I pull into Kalama and pump out the head, I am there 10 minutes and head over to Goble and much to my surprise they have new docks. Wow. What a change. I pick up my block ice and am on my way in 10 minutes. I move out into the channel to pick up as much speed as I can and travel comfortably in flat water 8-9 knots. I slide quietly under the Lewis and Clarke Bridge and there are 3 ships anchored waiting to get loading time at the docks. 2 are under Panamanian registration. The 3rd ship, Rubin Pearl, is from Port Vila. This is the 4th ship from Port Vila that I have seen on the Columbia. As I cruised past the starboard side, several of the crew were standing on deck and they all waved at me, so I returned the wave. This has never happened before, but it is a pleasant surprise.

I arrive at Walker Island at 1330 and the couple I had met at Martin Slough was already docked and waiting to take my lines. The wind is picking up as other boats begin to come in. By late afternoon there are 8 vessels tied to the docks and the little Bayliner and I are blanketed by all the big boats. I am familiar with several of the boats from previous trips and several are from Scappoose. We have a nice time and after dinner 2 large boats bring out a fire pit fueled by a propane tank with ceramic logs. Everyone is invited to toasting marshmallows and listening to guitar playing. I leave and can hear the songs and music drifting down with the wind as it whistles by Shatoosh and heads into the next cove.

While overcast all day, it has been a delightful day visiting with old and new friends. We all head to the warm cabins of our beloved boats, knowing that today was great and tomorrow offers more new adventures.

For Sale

These are items that I am planning to take to the Marine Exchange:

1. Teak medicine chest/wall hanging/with mirror
2. 2 RCA stereo speakers
3. Navigational chart light with red light/ gooseneck
4. Cabin top rotating search light
5. Possibly will take; danforth style anchor with 18 feet chain and 154 ft of braided rode.
6. Any takers? Let me know in the next few weeks. Prices negotiable.

Did some touch up painting on a few spots, went to the grocery store, washed Shatoosh, sorted out the cockpit starboard locker and headed out the marina at 1430 hrs. Tonight I am in Martin Slough, my tummy full of asparagus and salmon, and I am getting very sleepy. It is only 2000 hrs and I feel I could go to bed. I had considered staying in St Helens to listen to the free concert and have some yummies from the food court, but the winds were blowing, the seas rough and the whole marina was full of bow pickers from Astoria. Bow pickers are a type of fishing boats that use nets to catch salmon. I guess they have been permission to fish these waters this year.

After passing Columbia City and approaching Goat Island the winds and seas quieted down some. I was tied up to the dock at 1745. Another boat was docked and they had launched their small Bayliner in Kalama and are cruising this week, heading down river as well. I plan to head over to Walker Island and spend a couple of days. Hopefully, I can have some Pashmina time in calm waters. I'll have the ebbing tide with me all morning and part of the afternoon. Should be a sweet run with some fun in the sun.

Shatoosh really looks good, all clean and painted. I am delighted with all the work I have been able to do this summer. It is such a delight when one is able to focus, with tender loving care, to bring new life into an old boat. The more I take care of her the safer the boat will be for me and others. It is an honor and a privilege to be her caretaker.

Transformation.Ulala

The day has come, finally to see the reveal.

New sheets/pillows/cases, and new clothes bins.

A new key holder, found this afternoon at Fred Meyer, spruces up that old dish rack. I'll remake in better wood as a winter project at the condo.

The aft cabin sparkles with its uncluttered look. It is more inviting and the port quarter berth is easily available for another guest if need be. The middle cushion is quite comfy with sitting head room. Many couples with Albins add another filler cushion and sleep athartwards.

The End Is In Sight

I managed to find a space to sleep in the fore cabin, but awoke ready to go at 0545. After coffee and green drink and a few nuts I was ready to get to work. My new paint does have a cream tint, but only slightly. I painted the quarter berths and the shelves above them and they were the exact length of my arm+the brush/roller, which made it somewhat easy. Lying at the foot end of the bunk painting the ceiling, end and inner wall were a little harder. Thank heavens for the fan blowing on me the whole time. I finished about 1130 hrs. Made my way up to Fred Meyers to get lunch and a few items to help in storage of misc. things. Also bought some new sheets. After 9 years I deserve some new ones. The rest of the day was spent organizing, cleaning lockers, seeing how I could revamp some of the locker space to utilize them better. I cleaned out the dock box and gathered items to take to the marine exchange.
I really like how things are looking and feeling. There is not as much clutter. I do hate clutter.
Tomorrow will be cleaning the vinyl and restowing articles. Then I get to install my new little speakers.












I was delighted to see another Albin blogger join mine. Her name is Carol and is an ex harness racer. Wow. She and her husband own an Albin 27 in Florida. Click on her photo of the little bird in the "followers" section. She has some great wildlife links. You might find her blogs intesting.
She is a great photographer.




The back end of the berth with shelf. I even painted the underside of the cockpit. Away with Gray is my motto.

More Blubber and Boats

There simply isn't anything more fun than messing with or looking at boats. I forget who said that, but its true. I never get tired of seeing all the interesting designs. Let see more blubber first and then the boats.

They are all over the docks so if you are docked there it might be hazardous to come and go. Some people don't stay there for that reason but others don't because the noise goes on day and night. I had noticed a small girl and her dad get off a Cal 20. On their way back to the boat the dock was full of sea lions. I asked the girl, "how do you get back to your boat, it all blocked"? She smartly replied, " oh, I just tell them to move." I watched as she shooed them off. They all politely scampered off into the water.

This golden hind was for sale. A very old, British design.

A couple of oldies which need a lot of work.

Looking from the aft cabin forward all the way through to the fore cabin. What a mess. The piles keep getting higher, but progress in in the making. The main cabin is done and I am slowly putting everything back after washing and drying each object. I am eliminating some things and will get rid of them, take them home or sell at the Marine Exchange.

I started painting the aft cabin after it took me 3 hours to prep. I finished the forward hatch cover. Then I ran out of paint, so headed back to Portland to get more, but they didn't have any more. So I ended up getting another brand which has even less cream than the other. Oh well, the aft cabin could use some lighting up in there. It will be fine. Bye, Bye Grey!

Blubber and Boats in Astoria

My first stop yesterday was the East basin where you get to see lots of fat sea lions. They were really barking up

quite a conversation, shoving each other, knocking one another off the float, and then there were others who just wanted to sleep through the whole commotion. I forget just how immense these animals are.

The salmon season is in, so there were a zillion fishermen. Boats going in all different directions and the seas were calm without any wind.

After seeing Stormy I walked the docks in the West Mooring Basin and saw some interesting boats. The first one is a Williard Vega 30. These are very nice trawlers but this one is converted to troller. I had looked at one in the Delta, but didn't like that there were no side doors to dock from.

I don't know the make of this one, but she caught my eye. A nice little center pilot house. Interesting! it must be european or british made.

A beautiful Nauti-Cat built in Finland.

The owner let me go aboard and I have always loved these. Beautifully built and a wonderful pilot house with exits on both sides. A large stateroom aft and head, galley and forecabin. Out of my price range, but this I could live on and be very happy.

Making lots of progress painting today and have finished the cabin and re stowing all my things. I need to do the hatch cover, put on the second coat in the head area and then will start prepping the aft cabin. Might as well get it all done. I'm loving sleeping in the aft cabin. It is so cozy.

Do Opposites Attract?

Many years ago I invisioned myself owning a green hulled Fisher 30 Pilothouse Cruiser named Stillwater. Much to my surprise a maroon hulled Fisher 30 named Stormy started showing up on the for sale ads in Latitude 48. After several months of reading the ad and dreaming about living aboard & cruising British Columbia, I made contact with the owners and drove myself over to Astoria today to take a look. I had said, "the only boat to get me back into sailing would be a Fisher".

I was glad I went, and discovered that the boat design is not as large as I thought and would be able to singlehand her. I was disappointed that the cabin and forepeak were small. This particular vessel had a great diesel stove and oven which would keep the cabin nice and cozy.

Again it is always amazing to me that Shatoosh or I should say the Albin is really a spacious boat for her size. With my tri-cabin arrangement I have a very easy to handle boat. I'm not ready to give her up yet. So tomorrow I better get back to painting the ole girl.

There were many interesting boats to look at. I'll show you some tomorrow.