Questions from new C30 owner

[Bel Canto]

Will the refrigeration work while towing with the solar panel, assuming sunny days?

Has anyone installed or attempted a wireless back-up camera to the stern of the boat for use as a trailer rear view cam?

Does anyone have local knowledge of the Roche Harbor cruise, such as is there a local launch ramp and will this be dog friendly?

Is there a recommendation for bottom paint for salt water and a boat that will be on a trailer?

I have read that some states want to see a commercial or a higher class driver's license when towing over 10,000 lbs. Since this boat is a permit load, I will have to stop at each port of entry, so they will have a chance to inspect, unlike when I had a big RV trailer. The rules are confusing, as some states exclude RVs, and some include them.

We will probably miss the Sundance Marina meet, as our first day in Oregon will probably be the 12th, and we have guests arriving on the 17th. We might try a quick day trip, but it's a long drive. (We have a home in San Antonio, TX and Newport OR.)

Thanks for the input. This forum has already been extremely helpful.

Ken
C30 "Splash"

 

[dialtone]

Congrats on the C30, I'm sure you already love it.

If you look inside the fridge it should tell you how many amps it pulls. I think it is 2.5 - 4 amps. The solar panel on my c30 usually doesn't average anywhere near this high of a number. That being said: leave the house battery on and the solar will simply "extend the number of hours" your fridge would normally run on a battery without solar. I also recommend turning off your wine fridge and outdoor fridge if you have one. On those units it's a good idea to crack them (but secure them so they don't swing about) so they don't get mildew in them.

I don't know the answer to your other questions but I'm sure another tugnut will.

 

[knotflying]

I use Petit Vivid for my bottom paint. It was recommended as a good product for use on a boat that is in and out of the water.. 4 years of use, so far so good.

 

[Dorman]

Roach is Dog friendly.
The ramp at Roach is not good enough to launch your boat and besides you would have to take a ferry to get there.
If you are coming from Oregon there are several places to launch. When we are going to the San Juans we normally launch in Port Townsend which misses the Seattle traffic. Plan your route on the east side of Hood Cannel thru Bremerton and across the Hood Cannel floating bridge. You can buy a yearly launch pass for only $45 in Port Townsend and leave your truck and trailer as long as you would like. If possible get moorage at Port Hudson in the old section of Port Townsend and walk the town. Another option if you have the time is to launch into the South Sound at Olympia. Costs to park but it is a great launch and only 100 miles from the Oregon boarder.
I have friends who have boats over 11,000 and tow in WA all the time. Just put a wide load sign on your boat.
Dorman
SAWDUST

 

[Boont Boater]

If you are relatively new to boating I wouldn't launch from Port Townsend since the most direct route lies across the Straits of San Juan de Fuca. This can be a challenge (at least it was for me) and has to be approached carefully with an eye on the weather and tides.

If you want to tour the Puget Sound and go on the east side of Whidbey Island then Olympia or other Puget launch points are fine but that is a multi-day trip.

For Roche Harbor I think that Bellingham would be the best bet or Anacortes. They are about as close as you can get to the San Juans but still on the mainland. I launched and retrieved our C-Dory at Bellingham and they have a good ramp. I've only used the travel lift at Anacortes but I'm pretty sure there are several options. From Bellingham or Anacortes you still have to cross Rosario Strait and go through a pass but much less daunting. I would definitely have read my Wagoneer's Guide (spelling) before I headed out. You should be fine.

 

[Red Raven]

I also would recommend Bellingham as a launch point for Roche. The have a really nice ramp next to the marina with multiple lanes that works at nearly all tides and plenty of parking. Anacortes is fine if you want to use a lift but ramp options are limited. The ramp at Washington Park is only usable at higher tides, has only two lanes, is very busy, and parking is expensive.

Curt

 

[Captain Steve]

I installed a wireless camera on my R25. Got it online for like 35 $$. I bolted the license plate mount on a 3 inch piece of PVC and it sticks into a drink holder on the stern. Power is available right below it off the raw water wash down pump. The wireless 3 inch screen just needs 12 volts, easy to find at the helm and a square of telco holds in on the helm. When I drive i move the screen into my vehicle and power it with 12 volts off the lighter plug. Camera was built by Schoche.

I like that I can remove it easy and use it for other things!

 

[Bel Canto]

Thanks to all who have responded. Although this will probably be our farthest trip in this boat, my wife and I are South Pacific vets on our sailboat. We expect the PNW to be similar to New Zealand, but 400+ hp will allow us to power through stuff that we sat out when down south.

My wife is also very nervous about launching and retrieving the boat. We might opt for a travel lift.

Once we get up north, we will start looking at cruising guides, paper charts, chart cards, etc. The closest West Marine in San Antonio is 180 miles. The closest in Newport, OR is 100 miles. Newport is a commercial harbor, there isn't much for private boats.