"Bill McKee" wrote in message
m...


That is true even in small boats. I like the speed and convenience of my
21' boat. Have thought of getting a 25-27' version. But convenient to
tow to distant areas. Wife and I towed to Vancouver Island 2 years ago.
Tofino, which is a huge inland bay area plus the Pacific ocean outside.
Lots of areas to explore. Then we towed over to Salt Spring Island and
stayed in a B&B in Ganges. 4 days of exploring the Gulf Islands of
Canada. Looking to tow to Telegraph Cove and Port Hardy area, with trip in
to Knight Inlet for view bears in the wild. Certain trips just can not be
down by airplane. I could go and rent a boat, but this way I have a boat
I like and the equipment to fish, etc. that I like having aboard. Is
about a 1250 mile tow, but 2 days to Washington and visit friends in Gig
Harbor and then up to Port Angeles and ferry to Victoria. Would use the
BC Ferry's but they have doubled the price, probably to pay for the
Olympics for those with long rigs. Same price as a commercial semi-truck.
Get to meet new friends and the locals like visitors that boat, and spend
money.


I can understand that. I think if the Northeast road systems were in better
condition, I might enjoy a similar boating style. But part of what I enjoy
so much about boating is living aboard for periods of time. To me, there's
nothing that beats the quality of sleep you get on a boat (with a
comfortable bed), then waking up and having that first cup of coffee just as
the sun is rising on the horizon. Nobody around. Quiet.
The Grand Banks was great for that. I'd go up to the bow with the coffee,
sit down and just watch the sun rise.

Maybe I am a bit extreme, but I even liked staying aboard during the winter
in snowstorms. The last two years that we had the Navigator, we kept it in
the water year round. The marina had a bubbler system installed at the
section of slips where it was berthed and electricity was available all
winter.
The water systems and engines were winterized of course, but everything else
in the boat worked all winter including the refrig, stove and microwave.

I added four, 15 amp outlets tied into the AC system's services that were
obviously not used during the winter. I could run up to four 1500 watt
space heaters (although I never needed all of them) and the boat stayed nice
and warm when I was aboard.

The marina had well maintained and clean restrooms with showers located 400
feet from our slip, so that wasn't a problem. Added Direct TV and it, plus
the marina's excellent Wi-Fi service made for very
comfortable mid winter mini-vacations.

Eisboch