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
What a Grand Adventure it has been
I awoke to the sound of pounding rain and wind on the window of my hotel room. It was 5:00 am and pitch black outside. After a quick shower and breakfast, it was off to the Ranger Tug Plant in Monroe Washington. The date; Friday, November 13th. Today, we would take delivery of our Ranger Tug 29, Karma. We chose a delivery date of Friday the 13th due to the fact that she was hull #13!
I drove through the driving rain to Monroe. How appropriate I thought, one hellish storm on Friday the 13th. Old sailors warn of going to sea on a Friday let alone Friday the 13th. Our plan is to not only launch our new “Karma” but to do it on the 13’s. Friday the 13th at 1300 hours with as close to 13 guests on board!
I back the truck into the plant right up to Karma’s swim platform. At least it is dry and warm inside the plant. The plan is to unload all of our “stuff” from the truck to its new home on Karma. Dishes, clothes, bedding, etc, etc, etc.
As the crew at the plant finished last minute preparations on Karma, I stowed all of our gear. By 9:00 am, everything was stowed and Karma was ready. Andrew and Jeff arrived at the plant. Andrew went through Karma insuring all was ready before heading to Everett where we would take her through her paces.
As the rain continued to fall, Howard moved Karma out of the plant. Andrew hooked her up to the truck and she was ready to go. It was off to Everett. Just as we approached Everett, a ray of sunshine peaked out of the clouds! By the time we arrived at the marina, the rain had cleared, the sun was shining, and there was just a slight breeze on the water.
We launched Karma and it was off for her sea trial. We spent a couple of hours running around the bay checking out all of the systems. All went well and it was back to the marina to meet Karma’s first guests.
And that is how this wonderful adventure began. As of today, we have owned Karma for two years. We have put 476 hours on her. Over 2,000 miles on the odometer, with 327 nights spent aboard.
She has taken us to the Gulf Islands three times, the San Juans twice, and Desolation Sound once. She has safely taken us across the Straits of Georgia as well as Juan de Fuca numerous times. Dodd Narrows, no problem! Deception Pass, no problem!
She has tasted the waters of the Salish Sea, Lake Washington’s and Union, San Francisco Bay, and Lake Shasta.
This winter she will reside in the fresh waters of Lake Union and Washinton. She will cruise the Northern San Juan Islands the week between Christmas and New Years. First stop on our way north will be Anacortes. From there, Matia, Sucia, Patos, and Stuart Islands. New Years Eve will find us in Friday Harbor.
She will spend this next summer in Campbell River BC. This will allow us more readily access to Desolation and the Broughton’s. The end of August will find her making her way back south heading for Bremerton for the 4th annual Ranger Tug Owners Rendezvous in early September.
The summer of 2013 will find her cruising the waters of Lake Powell.
Along the way, we have met a number of incredible people with incredible stories to tell while visiting incredible places along the way.
What a grand adventure it continues to be!
I awoke to the sound of pounding rain and wind on the window of my hotel room. It was 5:00 am and pitch black outside. After a quick shower and breakfast, it was off to the Ranger Tug Plant in Monroe Washington. The date; Friday, November 13th. Today, we would take delivery of our Ranger Tug 29, Karma. We chose a delivery date of Friday the 13th due to the fact that she was hull #13!
I drove through the driving rain to Monroe. How appropriate I thought, one hellish storm on Friday the 13th. Old sailors warn of going to sea on a Friday let alone Friday the 13th. Our plan is to not only launch our new “Karma” but to do it on the 13’s. Friday the 13th at 1300 hours with as close to 13 guests on board!
I back the truck into the plant right up to Karma’s swim platform. At least it is dry and warm inside the plant. The plan is to unload all of our “stuff” from the truck to its new home on Karma. Dishes, clothes, bedding, etc, etc, etc.
As the crew at the plant finished last minute preparations on Karma, I stowed all of our gear. By 9:00 am, everything was stowed and Karma was ready. Andrew and Jeff arrived at the plant. Andrew went through Karma insuring all was ready before heading to Everett where we would take her through her paces.
As the rain continued to fall, Howard moved Karma out of the plant. Andrew hooked her up to the truck and she was ready to go. It was off to Everett. Just as we approached Everett, a ray of sunshine peaked out of the clouds! By the time we arrived at the marina, the rain had cleared, the sun was shining, and there was just a slight breeze on the water.
We launched Karma and it was off for her sea trial. We spent a couple of hours running around the bay checking out all of the systems. All went well and it was back to the marina to meet Karma’s first guests.
And that is how this wonderful adventure began. As of today, we have owned Karma for two years. We have put 476 hours on her. Over 2,000 miles on the odometer, with 327 nights spent aboard.
She has taken us to the Gulf Islands three times, the San Juans twice, and Desolation Sound once. She has safely taken us across the Straits of Georgia as well as Juan de Fuca numerous times. Dodd Narrows, no problem! Deception Pass, no problem!
She has tasted the waters of the Salish Sea, Lake Washington’s and Union, San Francisco Bay, and Lake Shasta.
This winter she will reside in the fresh waters of Lake Union and Washinton. She will cruise the Northern San Juan Islands the week between Christmas and New Years. First stop on our way north will be Anacortes. From there, Matia, Sucia, Patos, and Stuart Islands. New Years Eve will find us in Friday Harbor.
She will spend this next summer in Campbell River BC. This will allow us more readily access to Desolation and the Broughton’s. The end of August will find her making her way back south heading for Bremerton for the 4th annual Ranger Tug Owners Rendezvous in early September.
The summer of 2013 will find her cruising the waters of Lake Powell.
Along the way, we have met a number of incredible people with incredible stories to tell while visiting incredible places along the way.
What a grand adventure it continues to be!