Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

Thanks Jeff...
Hope to hear about your travels next season too.

I’m certain I’m not the only one that gets “anxious” backing into a slip.
I came across this “bumper car docking” through luck, not planning and have done it every time since.
With reverse prop walk to starboard, I always dock to starboard be it bow or stern in. The slips are tight here at Cambell River and several visits ago, before docking, I pulled in the painter on my dingy fairly tight on the starboard side so it would not get in the way. Turns out while backing in, it naturally floats up on the starboard quarter and acts like a huge fender to the boat beside. I think most of us are worried about the boat beside as much or more so than our own..
OK... I can hear the boo’s now...but heh...no fibreglass has been lost during my stern in docking.
Works for me...

For about a hundred years or more, missionary boats have travelled the remote coast stopping in at those in need. Be it age, Heath or life circumstances.....they have been there all this time. I had the opportunity to be aboard the “coastal messenger” a few years ago. What a fine vessel!! Later that same year I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with the captain and crew. What an understated wealth of knowledge!!! I again ran into the boat while visiting Billy Proctor at his home in the Broughtons. Seems they have stopped in to see him at youth and now in his 80’s ..... they still stop in to visit in the remote islands. What a blessing to see them again there.....
It was too funny to again pass them as I was leaving Gorge harbour.
Such a fine crew.... stopping in to check on older or sick folks up and down the remote coast... their efforts going on noticed for many years. Trust me...they ARE there...and doing their job of supporting and comforting those in need.
If you see them in for the night...go and say hello..... you’ll be glad you did.

Haul out prep is in full swing.
Oil/filter changed, Dingy engine ran out of fuel and fresh water flushed yesterday.
Thorough cleaning today.

Durant F,
Looking good. And I’ve enjoyed your thread. Been to many of those places and plan on a road trip up to Campbell River (at least) this winter.

I’m planing to tow a 12’ rowboat next year and wondering how many times I’ll need to bring the rowboat in separately. Hope it won’t be a hassle.

Used one of those oil extractors many times.

Thanks Eric...
Never sure if I’m posting too many pictures..

Good day today...
Nice and sunny so washed the entire exterior, sorted out the aft lazerette, tipped the arch down for trailering, cleaned the dingy and hoisted up top.
Rain tomorrow so I pushed myself to get the outside done today.... with a slight hangover. Went to Boson Pizza last night and red wines were only $4.... ooops
Interior clean tomorrow...Haul out is Friday...

Had the pleasure of meeting Conrad from this forum today. He walked over from his Nordic Tug. Although sunny, the wind had a definite chill to it and he was in shorts! Reminds me of another buddy of mine... I’m sure they both wear shorts to shovel snow

Always nice to talk to a fellow boater.

What a difference a day makes!
Sure am glad I did the exterior yesterday as it was a beautiful sunny day and although the breeze had an edge later in the afternoon, it was great to be outside.
Today is much cooler, fully overcast with rain and yes....occasionally flakes!
Tried getting them in the picture but a no show.
The list today is fully inside and I’m happy for it.
I posted a similar picture earlier but it’s kinda cool (are we still allowed to say cool?) that one of the first Camano’s is a few yards away from one of the newest. That’s hull #3 over there. A very loved boat...it shows well for 27 years young!

After a cold, wet day yesterday, the sun was shining today for Emma B’s haul out.
Things went smoothly....another benefit of a relatively small boat.

Enjoyed the Pics. When do you splash again?

Sure like your yellow hull.
The red bootstripe is perfect too.

Thanks guys
Funny....I think the hull is “cream”...others say yellow. Don’t matter...
I’ll splash again next August.
I like the quieter seasons out here.
Head N first as the herd is already thing, then return to Desolation later when it has thinned out there as well.

I decided to store Emma B indoors. While it cost about double, it is clean, safe, HEATED, and I will find her exactly as I left her. No sun fade, dock rash, PNW rain-cold season mould...nor did I have to winterized her. In the end I figure money well spent. I booked it much earlier but only seen pictures. I was honestly blown away how clean and well run the facility was....sprinkler systems and all....

This is where the colour selection originated...
My “other women”....

Before tucking Emma B into the storage shed I power washed her bottom and flushed the engine. Both the boat hauler and storage owner had never seen this so thought I would share.
Forespar makes an engine water pick up with a Y valve so you pick up seawater OR switched over....water from a hose.
Once done power washing, I simply attached the hose to the through hull, switched the Y and started the engine....sitting there on the trailer.
Works great. Click link below...

Engine Flush Out

Durant F said:

I decided to store Emma B indoors. While it cost about double, it is clean, safe, HEATED, and I will find her exactly as I left her. No sun fade, dock rash, PNW rain-cold season mould...nor did I have to winterized her. In the end I figure money well spent. I booked it much earlier but only seen pictures. I was honestly blown away how clean and well run the facility was....sprinkler systems and all....

Click to expand...

I would opt for the indoor option you chose as well if that was available. It just eliminates all the small things that happen outside.

Yes...will truly simplify many things...

Emma B is stored clean, fresh oil change and ready to go.
It will look exactly as I left her returning.....
Simply charge batteries, touch up bottom paint and launch...

I’ve never had it so easy.....will be a treat.

And thanks again Frank for filling my fridge! Ling Cod for dinner tonight!

Super ?

To add to the fish story....
They were caught by Eden Island in the Broughtons.
I’d seen Billy Proctor the day before, grabbed my chart and asked him where to fish near where we anchored...
They were caught in seconds...not minutes...fishing where he told me.
Hard to beat “local knowledge”
If you see Billy next year....thank him ?
At 83 now....he is a treasure...

Thanks for the back story Frank - the Ling Cod will taste even better tonight!

Durant,
Your boat is yellow.
That sailboat is GB Beige.

Too funny....
“That sailboat” is mine....I ordered the colour.
It’s more island packet beige ...
I also ordered the Camano for a close match ...
Well...as close as they could
But heh....yellow is fine as I get both colours from people

You decide...

Just looking over trip pictures.
It amazes me that at certain times, specific bays literally fill with jelly fish... I mean FILL.
Anyone know the cause?

Back in....

Returned to Campbell River to prep for launch and the fall cruise.
Have to say that inside storage is awesome!
This is a first for me and is simply incredible!
No winterizing and boat was exactly as left other than a “bit” of dust.
No mould, no sun fade, no dirt. Still shines!
Anyhoot, as I changed the oil before storage, the only prep was bottom paint as needed, battery charge, zincs and provision.
Splashed this afternoon and “it floats”
Kinda funny as I had to bug Scott as I’d forgotten how to do a few things...
All boats are slightly different and he was patient as “dumb ass” here had forgotten a few basic systems operations.
The JD fired instantly and so far everything works!
I’ve owned enough boats (too many) to know there are typically a few gremlins after sitting for 9+ months.
Happy to be back in the PNW and looking forward to exploring again soon.
After a few crazy weeks back home getting ready to leave and the last few busy days here to launch.... I think I’m going to just relax a bit before heading off.
Good food, wine, book and comfortable boat to recharge on.

Good Day Sir -

I thoroughly enjoyed your stories last fall. I wish you good times and safe travels again this year.



Cheers,

She looks great. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your beautiful cruising grounds.

Thanks
Will post a few pics once underway

Just spent my 2nd relaxing night aboard. Last year’s routines and “where things are”...”where do they go” placements are all coming back to me. I really do like this boat. So nicely laid out below...
Perfect size for when I’m single handing, which I will be until Claudia flys in Sept 22, yet great for a couple as well.
Not sure if it’s the design, the colour or the fact I’m right in Camano country here (Campbell River) but Emma B certainly gets a lot of attention and compliments.
There is an older one in a slip across from me, another up on the hard soon to be launched.
Loving the sunshine and relaxed pace of sorting things out and provisioning.
The cabinet was there, so I purchased a Bluetooth TV. The ariel is to arrive tomorrow. Just went to Starbucks and downloaded a ton of movies and documentaries to watch while remote. Almost makes their coffee prices worthwhile ?
Hope to be underway late Monday or Tuesday.

It's so exciting to see when someone finds the perfect boat for themselves. Helmsman does seem to fit that definition for many people here.

Yes...it truly IS exciting! And the perfect boat for me! Thanks!
Helmsman is a very small yard that has stayed extremely busy. By no means Grand Banks production, wasn’t meant to be, yet obviously enough share my opinion to make them successful.....but that isnt what this thread is about.
Hooked up the solar today and with the sun out, grinned at the results.
Fridge and freezer running, inverter running and batteries well over 13V with panel making over 7amps consistently.
Gotta love solar.... although I do carry a Honda 2000 in case there are several cloudy days in a row.
Getting excited as the list is progressively getting shorter.
Doing laundry as I peck this out...