Da Boat

I admit it; I was skeptical. When Greg’s friend, Hooper, emailed from Russia last fall with, “have I got a deal for you” I rolled my eyes. I scoffed. He had a 1978, 28 foot Bayliner that had been dry docked for five years. “Sell my truck and you can have my boat.” Clarification emails ensued. Have to use or have to have. “Have to have.” Matt sold the truck and we took up payments of storage fees for the winter.

When Greg returned to Alaska in May he began the laborious process of stripping out years of accumulated stuff—some very cool and useful, some just junk. He spent weeks tracing every electrical line and hose, cleaning tanks, filtering diesel, replacing batteries, tuning up, tinkering, puttering, making it work! Our deal was that I wouldn’t start the detail cleaning/remodeling/updating until he and Matt had taken her out and were assured she was still sound. Took two trips out before they worked out all the kinks.

And then it was my turn. Spent the better part of a month, “hon, could you move this? do you need that? might this work better?” Greg did the heavy cleaning and construction. I did the detail cleaning, sanding/varnishing every piece of wood, decoupaging, re-covering cushions, painting, replacing floor and all. the. trim. We made a pinky swear not to even start on the exterior until next year.

This weekend we took her on her maiden (to us) overnight voyage. It took us longer than we anticipated to load her so that by the time we got to the Homer dock it was dinner time and there was a line of boats trailering. We walked over to Captain Pattie’s and enjoyed a leisurely dinner before launching and heading to Tutka Bay to anchor for the night. I love the hues of purple blue black the mountains take in the mist. And this is a view of Kachemak Bay you just don’t get from Homer. Listened to rain patter as we rocked to sleep.

In the morning we headed to Seldovia. I’ve wanted to visit Seldovia for years! Along the way we enjoyed numerous sea otters cavorting and even watched a couple of Orcas arcing off port side. Pulled into the harbor as the ferry was leaving and I reflected that was how I had always envisioned visiting this town 25 miles across the bay from Homer. Who ever would’ve imagined we’d own a boat big enough for this kind of travel? Folks, I dream big (and work hard to make it happen.) This is better than I dreamed.

We spent the day fishing. One spot and then another. A great big lot of nothing. Snake bit. Good thing the main focus of THIS trip was touring!

Must say that this adventure has been a bit taxing on 14+ year old Grace. We will seriously consider kenneling her before our next trip out. She can’t jump any more so on and off the boat is a lifting process she’s not fond of. Sea legs? Not so much.

Back to Tutka Bay for night two and more gentle rocking and rain pattering. Only one cabin leak we’ve found to silicone upon our return home. Woke up determined to catch our halibut limit before heading home. First stop was inlet side of English Bay. Think my scowl conveyed that two foot seas rock and roll more than I’m interested fishing. Moved closer to Flat Island and started pulling in babies. Threw them back and had four in the 12 – 15 pound range (I think they are the most tender and tasty) by 2:00. We moved back across to Sadie Cove for lunch.

So far, so good with the old boat, right? Right. When we were trailering we noticed that (apparently) a spindle had snapped and we had lost a wheel (one of six) off the trailer. Oh, boy. Another Greg project =)

Still haven’t named the boat. We've had lots of great suggestions. Some of my favorites include: Sea Alice (my dad), Dock Holiday (my brother, David), Sea Wench (Hannah), Idgie (Laura Jean), Marytime & Fishfull Thinking (Nicholas), Goodness Gracious, Blessed, The Salty Dawg. Any others? Pictures!