NEW MEMBERS OF OUR FLEET

Pat's new kayak

After many years of watching everyone else having fun paddling around the bays in their kayaks, we decided it was time to see what the big deal was.  So off to the Seattle Boat Show we went to look at kayaks and aluminum fishing boats (more on this later).  We liked the ones that LFS Marine out of Bellingham had on sale so we bought two of them.  These are what I would consider beginner models, entry level kayaks.

New fenders added to swim step

Our biggest challenge has been getting in and out of the little boats off the back of our boat.  They are kind of “squirrely” when you put a little weight on one side of them and want to move all over the place.  At first they would scoot under the swim step when we tried to get in. So I tied some fenders under the swim step so now the kayaks can’t go there.  I thought for sure Pat was going to fall overboard the first attempt, but she made it.  The second time was much better.  It will get better each time we do it. These little boats are 9 feet 8 inches long and weigh in at 40 pounds each and are made of a UV resistant polyethylene.  We are looking forward to exploring lots of places this summer.

I wasn't going to Alaska again without a real fishing boat!!

The next big addition this year has been a new fishing/crabbing/shrimping/exploring aluminum boat.  This boat is built by Northwest Boats in Clarkston, Wa. and the model is called a 196 Freedom.  It is 19 1/2 feet long.  The motors are mounted to a sea pod so they are on the outside of the boat.  It has a 150hp Yamaha main motor and a 9.9hp trolling motor for fishing. Both are 4 strokes with electric start and power tilt.  The fuel capacity is 62 gallons.

Front suspension seats. Very nice!!

  The front seats are what they call suspension seats so they will  absorb some of the ride in rough water, and the back seats have storage under them.  There is also storage under the floor and under the front deck.  The front windshield opens in the middle so you can walk through when landing at the dock or the beach.

Down riggers ready to go.

I mounted my two down riggers on the back and there is a big fish box across the transom. I am still breaking in the motors but the fastest I've had it so far is over 40 mph.  The canvas top will be really nice when fishing in the rain.  This is going to be lots of fun fishing in this summer.

Tied along side Aye Aye Sir

Under tow behind Aye Aye Sir

ABOUT AYE AYE SIR!

Aye Aye Sir at anchor in the San Juans

  Our boat is a  54 foot Defever built in Japan in 1971. Built of all wood, she has a beam of nearly 17 feet and draws about 5 feet of water.  We can carry 1800 gallons of fuel and 300 gallons of water. For power she has twin 4 cylinder, turbo charged, CAT diesels.  Electronics consist of depth finder, sonar, radar, GPS electronic navigation system, and VHF radio.  She has 3 staterooms, 2 heads, 2 showers, flat screen TV, 2 freezers, electric stove and oven. There is a diesel furnace to keep things nice and warm.
Other features: hydraulic stabilizers, 12 foot aluminum shore boat with a 15hp Honda outboard, 6.5 kw generator, 2000 watt inverter.

On a trip like this we will normally be away from port 7 to 10 days at a time, anchoring out at night in small bays and inlets.   This trip will be about 6 months long.  We generally don't travel every day, just depends on the weather and our mood.  When we do travel it could be between 2 to 10 hours.  If we have a large body of open water to cross we are usually under way at daybreak, just because that is generally when water conditions are best.  We try to never travel after dark. If the fish are biting or there are crab or prawns to catch, we may stay put for several days.  We don't try to keep to any sort of time schedule.

salon and galley view

This picture is taken looking forward towards the galley.  In 2010/2011 we spent several months remodeling the interior of the boat and are very happy how it turned out.  Here we can see the new couch, new carpet, new counter tops, and new paint and varnish.

Steering helm

This is the steering helm in the pilot house.  Lots of big windows to look out and watch the world go by.

Master state room

This is the master state room below decks.  The door on the left goes to a head and shower.

Guest state room

This is one of two guest state rooms below decks.  Forward of this is a head and shower also.  They both have sky lights to help brighten them up.