Subject: Took a break from my R-27/OB today and went Whale watching
Re: http://www.PugetSoundExpress.com
Took two of my grandchildren and 1st Mate in her wheelchair on an awesome Whale watching cruise up to and back from the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Salish Sea which is north of Seattle-PNW.
This was on the Puget Sound Express Saratoga Cat which has four 900 HP water jet engines for propulsion. It can reach up to 50 mph with some 120 people onboard and 5-crew. It's super fast and very quiet. The waters were good so the boat did its best to impress us. I'm guessing I could not keep pace with this boat with my R-27/OB... :lol:
We were lucky to see/watch some Orcas and one large Hump back that had its fluke severely cut up with presumably an Orca attack, and has been named Scratchy by the experts. 😉 :shock:
My grand kids standing on the bow with the boat traveling at 50 mph could lean forward close to 45º without falling forward. :lol: Their hair needed a strong comb after this.
For me, one of the best portions of the trip was returning through Deception Pass which was in full swing with tons of whirl pools and a good 7 kt current. I was amazed at how well the Captain handled the boat going through the pass at a very low speed. Even so, the boat did get whipped around some and at one point I thought it was going to do a full 360º turn-about in the narrow passage way.
I chatted with the Captain and asked how well the boat handles in rough waters and how did it handle in 5-footers. No problem said the Captain other than taking them on port or starboard bows. Peering into the helm area was like the scene of a modern jet pilot's cabin.
We did traverse a few long-period swells and the feeling of zero gravity was felt along with some passenger out cries but none from the grand kids which thought it fun.
This trip was from Edmonds and when returning was amazed at how well the Captain docked stern in starboard tie with such a big boat.
I asked Captain how much fuel was used for the trip; 400 gallons of diesel. 😱
The Captain and one of his crew members simply carried 1st mate in her wheel chair on and off the boat with ease... very welcomed help indeed.
Was an awesome day trip/cruise..... and something I intend to repeat with our R-27/OB as we can get up to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Salish Sea area in about 2 hrs. :ugeek:
Re: http://www.PugetSoundExpress.com
Took two of my grandchildren and 1st Mate in her wheelchair on an awesome Whale watching cruise up to and back from the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Salish Sea which is north of Seattle-PNW.
This was on the Puget Sound Express Saratoga Cat which has four 900 HP water jet engines for propulsion. It can reach up to 50 mph with some 120 people onboard and 5-crew. It's super fast and very quiet. The waters were good so the boat did its best to impress us. I'm guessing I could not keep pace with this boat with my R-27/OB... :lol:
We were lucky to see/watch some Orcas and one large Hump back that had its fluke severely cut up with presumably an Orca attack, and has been named Scratchy by the experts. 😉 :shock:
My grand kids standing on the bow with the boat traveling at 50 mph could lean forward close to 45º without falling forward. :lol: Their hair needed a strong comb after this.
For me, one of the best portions of the trip was returning through Deception Pass which was in full swing with tons of whirl pools and a good 7 kt current. I was amazed at how well the Captain handled the boat going through the pass at a very low speed. Even so, the boat did get whipped around some and at one point I thought it was going to do a full 360º turn-about in the narrow passage way.
I chatted with the Captain and asked how well the boat handles in rough waters and how did it handle in 5-footers. No problem said the Captain other than taking them on port or starboard bows. Peering into the helm area was like the scene of a modern jet pilot's cabin.
We did traverse a few long-period swells and the feeling of zero gravity was felt along with some passenger out cries but none from the grand kids which thought it fun.
This trip was from Edmonds and when returning was amazed at how well the Captain docked stern in starboard tie with such a big boat.
I asked Captain how much fuel was used for the trip; 400 gallons of diesel. 😱
The Captain and one of his crew members simply carried 1st mate in her wheel chair on and off the boat with ease... very welcomed help indeed.
Was an awesome day trip/cruise..... and something I intend to repeat with our R-27/OB as we can get up to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Salish Sea area in about 2 hrs. :ugeek:
