Walldog's Journeys, Willie's Tug

[walldog]

Taking Delivery of Willie's Tug
May 17, 2011

We arrive in Kent, Washington about 3:30 PM and go to the factory. We meet with Andrew and Jeff. Horrors, our boat is not there. Andrew tells us that it is in the water waiting for us at the Des Moines marina nearby. It was not hard to find.

If we thought packing the truck was hard, putting everything from the truck into the boat is impossible.

We throw a few necessities into the boat and settle down for happy hour. After 7 days and 3000 miles, we are in our new home for the summer.

Andrew will arrive in the morning for our orientation. In the meantime, I look for power cords and water hoses to hook up our power and water. It is a good thing we are experienced motor homers, so we know what to do. It will get a little cool after the sun goes down, but we have brought some Texas weather with us to share with our friends here in Seattle.


After spending the morning going over all the systems on the boat, we take her out for the first time. New boat, new waters. Very scary and exciting. We spend about 4 hours motoring around Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma. Then we take her back to the slip at Des Moines. Wonder of wonders, we slide her back into the slip and did not hit anything.

I do believe Jake enjoyed the ride. He is finding his place to sleep. He does not care where is, just that he is. An attitude from which many of us could learn.

We get back from our shakedown cruise, and Andrew calls for Kenny to bring us a part to replace on the Air conditioner/Heat Pump. After replacing it , we enjoy a beer together.

A great group of folks with which to do business. They really care about putting out a quality product and their customer service is rivaled by no one.

Our first full day on the boat is good one. New friends, great service from the plant, and all this sunshine we brought from Texas.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

 

[Stella Maris]

Wow! What a great color! She looks great Herb and Willie!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Wow, what a great looking R-27......we are envious of your new Ranger Tugs. Enjoy your time in the PNW and we look forward to meeting up with you when we pick ours up in August.

 

[Dale777]

Herb,

Your R27 looks great. I can only imagine your excitement. Have great fun in the PNW. When you get back to Texas, we need to have a Tug rally for the handful of us in this big state.

 

[walldog]

Thursday May 19, 2011

Today is on our own as we continue to put things in their place. After a bit this, we decide it is too pretty to sit at the dock. So we head out into the sound to explore and get used to the larger boat. We cruise Southeast from Des Moines following the coast line down to Tacoma. We stay clear of the traffic lanes. Yesterday we found how fast some of large commercial ships move. We do the breakin routine that Andrew recommended, 5 minutes at 2000 rpms, 5 at 3000, and 5 at 4000. After all that we find that we really like traveling about 1800 or so. But it is nice to have the power when you want or need it.

Jake finds his place on the floor between Willie and me.

Heading back toward Des Moines, we cruise along side of Vashon and Maury Islands. Maury Island appears to be actually attached to Vashon. At Robinson Point, we move close enough for Willie to photograph the light house.

We thread our way back into the narrow channel into Des Moines Marina and get a little more practice backing into a slip.

Another great day on the water here in the Pacific Northwest.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

 

[Bruce Moore]

Sweet. Congratulations. I'll look forward to seeing that pretty boat coming around the Duwamish head, and to the eventual possibility of seeing two yellow-hulled rangers on Elliott Bay at the same time!

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[kjgregson]

Congratulations, she is beautiful. Love the yellow.

Cheers
Kathy & Keith, anxiously awaiting Sand Dollars arrival

 

[j&lgray]

Congratulations to you! Isn't is fun to be out on the water? Your boat looks beautiful. We are looking forward to seeing you farther north up our way. Please let us know when you'll be in the Everett area so we can look for you.

 

[wgisler]

Now this is the way to post about your new vessel (it ain't just a boat). Pictures, informative commentary, all in good order.

Proud for you all. The folks on the Gulf are in for a treat.....and honk as you pass by Victoria, Texas > my home town.

Congrat's all round!

 

[walldog]

Travel to Anacortes

May 20,2011

Today we leave Des Moines. We considered going by water to Anacortes, but the logistics of getting the truck and trailer there could not be worked out. So we prepared to have the boat loaded on the trailer. The marina has a sling lift for that purpose. Kenny arrives from the plant with my trailer and to assist me in loading it for the first time.

While we are working, Willie catches a great shot of a Mallard that dive bombs me. I guess I was in his way as he wanted to be in slip adjacent to us. Jake does not even protect me, seems that he has lost his natural bird dog properties.

After prepping Willie's Tug for travel, we motor over to the lift. We have to drive the tug into the slings and stay centered until the operator brings us up high enough for us to step off.

Piece of cake as this is how we have putting our previous tug into its slip at home. Except on a smaller scale.

The operator carries us over to the trailer and gently sets us down on it. We strap her down and off we go to Anacortes, working our way through the Seattle traffic. Since the trailer sets a little down in the front, we take it easy until we can get a higher draw bar for our hitch. The truck pulls it effortlessly, looks like we made a good choice.

We arrive in Anacortes without incident and try to unload at the marina. But they decline to unload it without bunk cutouts for their straps. Andrew tells me later that they did several 27s at the trawler fest. They sent us over to Cap Sante Marine who did a fine job of getting us off the trailer and into the water. We motor up the small channel and into Cap Sante Boat Haven, which will be our base of operation for the next 4 months.

Now we have to do a bit of walking to move the truck and trailer over to the temporary parking until we can find home for the trailer.

We have just enough time to get home in the slip and secure everything down before happy hour. We prepare for Capt. Mac, who will come tomorrow for a day on the water provided by the plant. We have heard many good things about his sessions.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Herb: Is the trailer you have to tow your new R-27 an E-Z Loader? Also you mention that the boat was lifted off at Cap Sante, is that because they do not have a boat ramp?

 

[walldog]

Herb: Is the trailer you have to tow your new R-27 an E-Z Loader? Also you mention that the boat was lifted off at Cap Sante, is that because they do not have a boat ramp?

Yes and Yes. Cap Sante only has a sling lift. The EZ loader trailer has some substantial bunks, but no cut outs were provided. I may fix that, or not as it can be off loaded ok as most places that have a sling lift have a jack also to lift up the keel and slide the straps in place. Also when we leave the PNW, most places have ramps available....unless we go to Alaska or the Maine. Must be the tide changes up here that determines whether or not a facility puts in a sling lift. There is a ramp on the other side of town in Washington State Park. Just the logistics of getting the truck and trailer back.

 

[Auklet]

Herb, Willie, and Jake --- Welcome to the upper left corner. I came looking for your boat this afternoon, but you must have already "hit the Islands". But then, I don't know where they finally put you and I couldn't walk all the piers. The Auklet is at N24. Give us a call: 360-293-7003.
Jake looks like the happiest dog in the world. Has he found the dog park just accross from the marina? --- Cary

 

[walldog]

Herb, Willie, and Jake --- Welcome to the upper left corner. I came looking for your boat this afternoon, but you must have already "hit the Islands". But then, I don't know where they finally put you and I couldn't walk all the piers. The Auklet is at N24. Give us a call: 360-293-7003.
Jake looks like the happiest dog in the world. Has he found the dog park just accross from the marina? --- Cary

Hi Cary, Jake and I walked by "Auklet" a day or so ago. We are in E66, we found we could save a few bucks by moving to the 30 footers. Yes we located the dog park, but we are waiting until it dries a bit. We are back in Anacortes today to have our dingy installed. Then I do not know.

 

[Bobolink]

Herb, Willie and Jake,

Welcome to the family. Let me know (360.778.1575) if you head up to Bellingham, we have several Rangers up here.

Mark
Bobolink

 

[walldog]

Herb, Willie and Jake,

Welcome to the family. Let me know (360.778.1575) if you head up to Bellingham, we have several Rangers up here.

Mark
Bobolink

Thanks Mark, we will be up that way soon. We are just back in Anacortes after Friday Harbor, Roche, and Stuart Island. We are moving upon our 50 hour service and are looking for a place have bottom paint put on.

 

[walldog]

We Hooked up with Randy and Ida of "Adventurer" and Bob and Nita of "Nellie Too" cruising over to Blakeley Island for lunch, up East Sound, and then rafted up with Nellie Too at Spencer Spit for the night.

 

[walldog]

We Hooked up with Randy and Ida of "Adventurer" and Bob and Nita of "Nellie Too" cruising over to Blakeley Island for lunch, up East Sound, and then rafted up with Nellie Too at Spencer Spit for the night.

 

[walldog]

I have not been diligent in keeping a diary or Blog, but Willie has. You can see a taste of where we have been and what we are doing here: http://andwilliesaid.blogspot.com/

She publishes updates more or less daily as we have internet.

 

[walldog]

I have noticed that since we moved aboard Willie's Tug, I have regularly been sleeping past my normal 5AM eyes blink wide open routine. Maybe this is reason why. http://news.consumerreports.org/health/ ... cking.html If you do not have room for a hammock in your bedroom, put your bedroom in the water. :lol: