Stella Maris
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,500
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
- Vessel Name
- Destiny
Thursday February 27th breaks bright and clear. A light breeze ruffles the waters surface. Kenny Marrs from Ranger Tugs calls to say he is on the way to the 14th Street ramp where I will meet him for our initial cruise.
We will go through Stella Maris there insuring all is correct. Once that is complete, it will be time to launch her and head out to the lakes.
Kenny arrives with Stella Maris in tow. She immediately gathers a crowd. Folks from the surrounding buildings wander out to get a glimpse of this “cute” little boat. Kenny and I desperately try to go through the systems while answering a multitude of questions from the curious. At last it is time to put her in the water.
Kenny expertly backs her down the ramp. I take the lines and secure her to the dock while Kenny parks the truck and trailer. Her little 30 HP Volvo comes to life as soon as I push the start button. We let her warm up a few minutes and head out to the lakes.
Having cruised Destiny many times up and down this waterway, things suddenly seem to be much bigger. The vantage point from Stella Maris is right at the waters level.
Folks along the way wave and stare as we cruise by at a leisurely five knots. Once we make it to Lake Union, I make my way to the “speed lane”. I will open her up to insure she can get to her WOT. Slowly I press the throttle down until we are running at WOT. I look around the dash as if I have lost something. Kenny asks what I am looking for. The “trim tabs” I reply. He looks at me with disbelief and then I laugh. Kenny quickly relies that I am only kidding and we both get a laugh out of it.
Slowly we make our way around the lake taking in the incredible sunshine on this beautiful winter day. The sky is this incredible blue with horse-tails of high clouds strung from west to east. The backdoor of Seattle is at our feet from here. The lake is ours. Not another boat is underway.
We start to make our way back to the ramp. As we make our way through the ship canal, we spy a group of very young school children along the shoreline. They are waving and smiling. I give a toot of the horn and then proceed to entertain them with a few spins and turns. From where we are at, we can see the smiles on their tiny faces.
We continue our journey down the waterway to the ramp. I gently bring her alongside the dock. Once secure, Kenny heads off to get the truck and her trailer. He will return her to the Ranger Tug plant for the week. Come Wednesday of next week, he will haul her to S3 Maritime. Aaron will start working his magic of constructing the Stainless Steel frame for her surrey top. In the meantime, Dave from King Marine Canvas will start producing her window shades and screens. Once the frame is complete, Dave will pick her up and proceed with the canvas work for the Surrey Top. All should be complete by the end of March.
We will go through Stella Maris there insuring all is correct. Once that is complete, it will be time to launch her and head out to the lakes.
Kenny arrives with Stella Maris in tow. She immediately gathers a crowd. Folks from the surrounding buildings wander out to get a glimpse of this “cute” little boat. Kenny and I desperately try to go through the systems while answering a multitude of questions from the curious. At last it is time to put her in the water.
Kenny expertly backs her down the ramp. I take the lines and secure her to the dock while Kenny parks the truck and trailer. Her little 30 HP Volvo comes to life as soon as I push the start button. We let her warm up a few minutes and head out to the lakes.
Having cruised Destiny many times up and down this waterway, things suddenly seem to be much bigger. The vantage point from Stella Maris is right at the waters level.
Folks along the way wave and stare as we cruise by at a leisurely five knots. Once we make it to Lake Union, I make my way to the “speed lane”. I will open her up to insure she can get to her WOT. Slowly I press the throttle down until we are running at WOT. I look around the dash as if I have lost something. Kenny asks what I am looking for. The “trim tabs” I reply. He looks at me with disbelief and then I laugh. Kenny quickly relies that I am only kidding and we both get a laugh out of it.
Slowly we make our way around the lake taking in the incredible sunshine on this beautiful winter day. The sky is this incredible blue with horse-tails of high clouds strung from west to east. The backdoor of Seattle is at our feet from here. The lake is ours. Not another boat is underway.
We start to make our way back to the ramp. As we make our way through the ship canal, we spy a group of very young school children along the shoreline. They are waving and smiling. I give a toot of the horn and then proceed to entertain them with a few spins and turns. From where we are at, we can see the smiles on their tiny faces.
We continue our journey down the waterway to the ramp. I gently bring her alongside the dock. Once secure, Kenny heads off to get the truck and her trailer. He will return her to the Ranger Tug plant for the week. Come Wednesday of next week, he will haul her to S3 Maritime. Aaron will start working his magic of constructing the Stainless Steel frame for her surrey top. In the meantime, Dave from King Marine Canvas will start producing her window shades and screens. Once the frame is complete, Dave will pick her up and proceed with the canvas work for the Surrey Top. All should be complete by the end of March.