Once again, we're up in the San Juan Islands with our 19' steam launch Otter. We participated in the McConnell Island camping trip and had a great time. Otter has a new firebox (cast 'Mizzou' refractory) and a permanent 12gallon fuel tank; both these changes have worked out flawlessly despite an almost complete lack of testing before hand as things got way too busy. From the mooring, it's about nine miles to McConnell Island for us, so a comfortable two hours of steaming. The weather was calm for both trips - something we appreciate in a small boat. Large powerboat wakes provided the usual disruptions, but wind and tide were minimal.
A few pics:
Steaming in the San Juans
- barts
- Full Steam Ahead
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- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:08 am
- Boat Name: Otter, Rainbow
- Location: Lopez Island, WA and sometimes Menlo Park, CA
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Steaming in the San Juans
- Attachments
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- These fresh prawns were caught by a neighbor on the island 'next door'; they were delicious after a 60 second boil. They're generally caught about 300' deep - some work to haul a trap full to the surface.
- prawns.jpg (52.49 KiB) Viewed 10614 times
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- After a night of light rain, the morning was dry but cool.
- cool-morning.jpg (55.53 KiB) Viewed 10614 times
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- Otter loaded for camping.
- otter.jpg (72.34 KiB) Viewed 10614 times
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Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
- barts
- Full Steam Ahead
- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:08 am
- Boat Name: Otter, Rainbow
- Location: Lopez Island, WA and sometimes Menlo Park, CA
- Contact:
Re: Steaming in the San Juans
A couple that missed the 'boat'....
- Bart
- Bart
- Attachments
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- I'm carrying the water level pretty high here. With the new firebox and less soot buildup, she seems to no longer need a high water level to steam well - which means it's a lot easier to use the whistle w/o priming :).
- otter-mcconnell.jpg (49.2 KiB) Viewed 10613 times
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- A local resident tolerates the activity....
- eagle.jpg (25.79 KiB) Viewed 10613 times
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Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
- Lopez Mike
- Full Steam Ahead
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:41 am
- Boat Name: S.L. Spiffy
- Location: Lopez Island, Washington State, USA
Re: Steaming in the San Juans
Looking at the difference between Otter and Folly (the blue boat in the middle of the group shot) I'm even more determined to replace my hull. Even at a distance that more or less straight sheer is awful.
So Bart, is that strip about half way up your topsides just for looks? Structural? A rub strake?
So Bart, is that strip about half way up your topsides just for looks? Structural? A rub strake?
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
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- Full Steam Ahead
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 2:39 pm
- Boat Name: No Boat Yet
- Location: Cathlamet, WA
Re: Steaming in the San Juans
Mike,
You could fix that sheer line with a limber strip, and a sawsall in short order !
Bart,
Good pics as usual. I'll not likely going to make it to Blaine, but will see you all in Cathlamet next year.
Dave
You could fix that sheer line with a limber strip, and a sawsall in short order !
Bart,
Good pics as usual. I'll not likely going to make it to Blaine, but will see you all in Cathlamet next year.
Dave
- Lopez Mike
- Full Steam Ahead
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 6:41 am
- Boat Name: S.L. Spiffy
- Location: Lopez Island, Washington State, USA
Re: Steaming in the San Juans
Yeah. I'm a fan of sawsalls generally. But then when I start looking at the hull in all its glory my mind begins to turn to my chain saw and a can of gas.
Forget that last thought. It would dull my chain. Not worth it.
Forget that last thought. It would dull my chain. Not worth it.
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama
- barts
- Full Steam Ahead
- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:08 am
- Boat Name: Otter, Rainbow
- Location: Lopez Island, WA and sometimes Menlo Park, CA
- Contact:
Re: Steaming in the San Juans
The one at the top separating the paint from the oiled finish is there for looks afaict.... the next one reinforces the chine; there's one on the inside as well.Lopez Mike wrote:Looking at the difference between Otter and Folly (the blue boat in the middle of the group shot) I'm even more determined to replace my hull. Even at a distance that more or less straight sheer is awful.
So Bart, is that strip about half way up your topsides just for looks? Structural? A rub strake?
- Bart
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Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA
Bart Smaalders http://smaalders.net/barts Lopez Island, WA