Building a Nordhavn - again

twistedtree said:

Well, to each her own. We find the winter in the PNW to be mild (it's all relative), and hotter climates that other love too hot for our taste. We also plan to spend next summer in AK, and WA/BC are a good place for shake down cruising.


Heading south, there isn't much that appeals to us until you get to Baja, and that's not a good place for shake down cruising.


Our plan is to stay in the PNW until boarders are reliably reopened. Then we will plan what's next.

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Wifey B: Good morning. Why am I awake so early? Sidney is a great place and if I had to be cold it would be near the top of my list.

We did shakedown cruises in the area too. You're right about that. Just get out and boat all you can between now and spring. 61 here and high of 76 today. I'll survive. I was much better dealing with cold before 9 years living in Fort Lauderdale.

Staying in an area right now is still not a bad idea at all. We still don't know what is ahead.

twistedtree said:

We went on the F65 at the Seattle show too, and I have to say I wasn't as impressed as I have been in the past. In that rough size and type of boat, I really liked the Saber 58. The only down side to me is the IPS power package. I really like Sabers in general, but that would probably be a deal killer for me.

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I can certainly see the appeal of the Saber 58, though I have never been on one, but it’s a very different type of boat than what I like for my use, unless there’s a different 58 than their salon express. Sorry, I don’t want to hijack your thread

twistedtree said:

Well, to each her own. We find the winter in the PNW to be mild (it's all relative), and hotter climates that other love too hot for our taste. We also plan to spend next summer in AK, and WA/BC are a good place for shake down cruising.


Heading south, there isn't much that appeals to us until you get to Baja, and that's not a good place for shake down cruising.


Our plan is to stay in the PNW until boarders are reliably reopened. Then we will plan what's next.

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I agree with you! Such beautiful cruising grounds as well. Which marina or yard will you be in for the next few weeks?

BandB said:

Wifey B: Good morning. Why am I awake so early? Sidney is a great place and if I had to be cold it would be near the top of my list.

We did shakedown cruises in the area too. You're right about that. Just get out and boat all you can between now and spring. 61 here and high of 76 today. I'll survive. I was much better dealing with cold before 9 years living in Fort Lauderdale.

Staying in an area right now is still not a bad idea at all. We still don't know what is ahead.

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It really comes down to what you like. Our original plan was to commission in Florida, but with travel restrictions we made a conscious decision to switch commission to Seattle. Weather was one factor. We greatly prefer the weather here vs Florida, but were going to put up with it to be closer to Europe which was our next big destination. But with travel restrictions we prefer where you can cruise here vs the US east coast. This is all our own preference without judgement other than for ourselves. So we WANT to be here. It's not a sentence.


Once travel is unrestricted, or much less restricted, we will re-plan our next destination. Even now with Canada re-opened, I'm thinking that basing out of BC for the winter was not the best choice. Not because of location, but because traveling back and forth is still a real pain in the ass. Covid testing as currently required is a much bigger hassle than you might imagine once you actually try to arrange it. It's very much driving our voyage plans, which is not how I want to cruise.

Plus you wouldn’t want to spend too many days consecutively in WA or you will have to pay use tax there, as I’m sure you are aware. Though you can get extended cruising permits. But why not be a few hours closer to the Broughtons? You have the most amazing boat for it!

twistedtree said:

It really comes down to what you like. Our original plan was to commission in Florida, but with travel restrictions we made a conscious decision to switch commission to Seattle. Weather was one factor. We greatly prefer the weather here vs Florida, but were going to put up with it to be closer to Europe which was our next big destination. But with travel restrictions we prefer where you can cruise here vs the US east coast. This is all our own preference without judgement other than for ourselves. So we WANT to be here. It's not a sentence.


Once travel is unrestricted, or much less restricted, we will re-plan our next destination. Even now with Canada re-opened, I'm thinking that basing out of BC for the winter was not the best choice. Not because of location, but because traveling back and forth is still a real pain in the ass. Covid testing as currently required is a much bigger hassle than you might imagine once you actually try to arrange it. It's very much driving our voyage plans, which is not how I want to cruise.

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Wifey B: Oh tell me about the testing. We've hit at least 50 ports this summer and even when not changing countries, different rules. Explain we've been in Italy, oh but that was Tuscany, you're in Campania now. oops. Vaccinated enough? Our own testing on boat? Where must we go? lol. We had one that we spoke to 2 hours before arrival and they changed the rules on us.

Still a mild inconvenience compared to what so many are going through so no complaints. Being a US citizen is a negative but then we explain we haven't been in the US since June. When we had two seven year olds with us, they seemed to test at least three times a week but they thought nothing of it, so much more adaptable than adults.

Have you considered ordering some test kits so you could self test? Prices for Abbott's kit are down to about $25 per kit. PCR kits generally more than rapid antigen kits.

Entering in the US, at least by plane, required a certified test. Self testing wouldn’t qualify. They required two verifications before boarding and then spot checked the testing results (and others but I’m not sure if everyone as I was early off the plane) in the US.

bowball said:

Entering in the US, at least by plane, required a certified test. Self testing wouldn’t qualify. They required two verifications before boarding and then spot checked the testing results (and others but I’m not sure if everyone as I was early off the plane) in the US.

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Actually self testing can be fully certified. Swab is inserted, results compiled and email received shortly thereafter from the testing company. US accepts just like a test from a medical facility, but I don't know about Canada.

BandB said:

Wifey B: Oh tell me about the testing. We've hit at least 50 ports this summer and even when not changing countries, different rules. Explain we've been in Italy, oh but that was Tuscany, you're in Campania now. oops. Vaccinated enough? Our own testing on boat? Where must we go? lol. We had one that we spoke to 2 hours before arrival and they changed the rules on us.

Still a mild inconvenience compared to what so many are going through so no complaints. Being a US citizen is a negative but then we explain we haven't been in the US since June. When we had two seven year olds with us, they seemed to test at least three times a week but they thought nothing of it, so much more adaptable than adults.

Have you considered ordering some test kits so you could self test? Prices for Abbott's kit are down to about $25 per kit. PCR kits generally more than rapid antigen kits.

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We will likely look into the self test kits. Just need to understand the logistics of how they work, dependency of mailing/shipping, and acceptability to various officials. For this round of getting the boat into Canada, then getting ourselves home, we will use local services.

twistedtree said:

We will likely look into the self test kits. Just need to understand the logistics of how they work, dependency of mailing/shipping, and acceptability to various officials. For this round of getting the boat into Canada, then getting ourselves home, we will use local services.

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Wifey B: No mailing required. You test and then get the results sent to your email within minutes. Here is one example:

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

You actually get a certified guide to guide you through the test. Digital certificate is loaded into the Navica App on your phone. Now some do require you to return samples. You're right though about looking into the various local requirements.

Only reason I'm familiar is we've used thousands in our businesses before ever using them on the water, then we used them in the Bahamas and they accepted them with no problem.

Good luck with all your going back and forth and hope you can get a lot of boating in.

One more question....oh god I sound like Colombo. But I'm not interrogating, just learning...what conditions do you still boat in or what conditions just enjoy time on the boat without going out? I'm talking temperatures, not seas. I do feel like if we had your boat where it is, we'd still take it out when the temps were in the 50's and even 40's. 30's might be a bit much.

BandB said:

Wifey B: No mailing required. You test and then get the results sent to your email within minutes. Here is one example:

https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en

You actually get a certified guide to guide you through the test. Digital certificate is loaded into the Navica App on your phone. Now some do require you to return samples. You're right though about looking into the various local requirements.

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That is very interesting. Canada requires a PCR test so it wouldn’t work in that direction, but it seems like it would satisfy the requirement for reentry to the US. That could considerably ease the inconvenience of testing in one direction of the trip, which would be great. Thanks for the tip.

BandB said:

Wifey B: No mailing required. You test and then get the results sent to your email within minutes. Here is one example:



https://www.emed.com/products/covid-at-home-testkit-six-pack?hsLang=en



You actually get a certified guide to guide you through the test. Digital certificate is loaded into the Navica App on your phone. Now some do require you to return samples. You're right though about looking into the various local requirements.



Only reason I'm familiar is we've used thousands in our businesses before ever using them on the water, then we used them in the Bahamas and they accepted them with no problem.



Good luck with all your going back and forth and hope you can get a lot of boating in.



One more question....oh god I sound like Colombo. But I'm not interrogating, just learning...what conditions do you still boat in or what conditions just enjoy time on the boat without going out? I'm talking temperatures, not seas. I do feel like if we had your boat where it is, we'd still take it out when the temps were in the 50's and even 40's. 30's might be a bit much.

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Thanks for the test pointer. That’s super helpful.

Re temps, really no limit. The boat is well heated so really no practical limit. You just spend less time outside, or wear more clothes. You just need to be careful if there is ice on the decks, or the docks for that matter.

twistedtree said:

Heading south, there isn't much that appeals to us until you get to Baja, and that's not a good place for shake down cruising.

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I'd show you some great California Delta anchorages if you stopped here along the way. What's your draft?

She'd look great under the GG Bridge!!

guy with a boat said:

That is very interesting. Canada requires a PCR test so it wouldn’t work in that direction, but it seems like it would satisfy the requirement for reentry to the US. That could considerably ease the inconvenience of testing in one direction of the trip, which would be great. Thanks for the tip.

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Wifey B: You can get instant PCR as well.

FlyWright said:

I'd show you some great California Delta anchorages if you stopped here along the way. What's your draft?

She'd look great under the GG Bridge!!

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I'd love to explore the delta, but suspect 7.5' draft will really limit things. Yes, no?


Obviously not in this boat, but we've been in and out of SF bay a few times. Once leaving in absolute pea soup fog I kept hearing this fog horn getting closer and closer, yet nothing on AIS or radar. I was scared to death that I was missing something, and something big. And I was...the bridge. I never did find a note on the chart, and believe me, I was looking, but there is a mid-span fog horn that sounds like Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

I almost always anchor in 15-20 ft of water so 7.5' really isn't a problem. Lots of blowboaters with 6+ ft keels around these waters, too. There are deep water channels that are well marked. Outside the channel there are some shoals to be cautious of but it's just part of the great Delta adventure!!

twistedtree said:

I'd love to explore the delta, but suspect 7.5' draft will really limit things. Yes, no?


Obviously not in this boat, but we've been in and out of SF bay a few times. Once leaving in absolute pea soup fog I kept hearing this fog horn getting closer and closer, yet nothing on AIS or radar. I was scared to death that I was missing something, and something big. And I was...the bridge. I never did find a note on the chart, and believe me, I was looking, but there is a mid-span fog horn that sounds like Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

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Only bridge we've ever gotten excited about going under. Just something special about it. Party atmosphere on board each time we did.

BandB said:

Only bridge we've ever gotten excited about going under. Just something special about it. Party atmosphere on board each time we did.

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I used to row my single scull under there and then out 1.5 miles several times - we call it the washing machine. Tides matter. Hugged the shore. And wow are those ships faster than they seem! I learned that lesson trying to get to Alcatraz rowing and the container ship seemed so small and far away…until it wasn’t! My single was was designed for open water but it was 24’ long … and 14” beam at the waterline. (Maas 24). With a low volume cockpit with self bailing. Every boat looked huge to me, and those USCG Safeboats seemed to enjoy waking us.

I'm so fond of the Golden Gate Bridge that I carry a piece of it with me aboard FlyWright. This was a gift to me from fellow TFer, OMC, aka Olivier. I painted it with the exact paint used on the GG Bridge.

Thanks, Ollie!!

Finally got underway today, but didn't go far. Got our Covid tests, picked up some last minute packages, returned the rental car, came out through the Ballard Lock, pulled into Shilshole Marine to fill the gasoline tank for the dinghy, waved to Pau Hana, then pulled into a slip for the night. Tomorrow we are off to Friday Harbor, and will see how the boat crosses the straight in 25 kt winds . Let the fun begin.....

Do you carry spare gas for the dinghy?

bowball said:

Do you carry spare gas for the dinghy?

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Yes, there's a built in 40 gal tank with pump and hose that will reach the dinghy on deck. That's standard equipment.

twistedtree said:

Yes, there's a built in 40 gal tank with pump and hose that will reach the dinghy on deck. That's standard equipment.

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That’s well thought out.

bowball said:

That’s well thought out.

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I've never had one before, but it beats the heck out of storing and handling several 5 gal jugs.

twistedtree said:

I've never had one before, but it beats the heck out of storing and handling several 5 gal jugs.

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Certainly seems so! Might need to consider an additive if old gas stays there for too long.

bowball said:

Certainly seems so! Might need to consider an additive if old gas stays there for too long.

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On the additive thing, for the boat, cars, lawn equipment, etc. I make a point to add stabilizer right at purchase to any gas I'm not sure will be burned within a month. Cheap insurance, and as long as the gas is stored well, having it last a year (or more) is no problem.

rslifkin said:

On the additive thing, for the boat, cars, lawn equipment, etc. I make a point to add stabilizer right at purchase to any gas I'm not sure will be burned within a month. Cheap insurance, and as long as the gas is stored well, having it last a year (or more) is no problem.

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I have made a habit of doing the same thing for many years and so far so good. I have a bottle of Stabil all ready for the tank but need to sort out a better funnel to pour it in.

twistedtree said:

I have made a habit of doing the same thing for many years and so far so good. I have a bottle of Stabil all ready for the tank but need to sort out a better funnel to pour it in.

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Be especially careful if the gas has ethanol in it, which most US gas has. It decomposes into a gummy substance. I have to have carbs (yes carbs; old cars) cleaned if they sit unused for a few months. I add Marvel Mystery Oil to solve that.

In Washington State most fuel docks sell ethanol free gas and the Shilshole fuel dock where Twisted filled up is one of them. That differently helps with storage issues. Hauling jerry cans gets old fast so that onboard fuel tank must be a welcome feature.

bowball said:

Be especially careful if the gas has ethanol in it, which most US gas has. It decomposes into a gummy substance. I have to have carbs (yes carbs; old cars) cleaned if they sit unused for a few months. I add Marvel Mystery Oil to solve that.

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Keep the fuel dry and stabilized and it helps a lot. And if you're going to let anything sit for more than about a month, flood the carb with fogging oil at shutdown. That seems to keep things from gumming up and corroding, as everything is coated in oil to reduce air exposure.