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Living full-time on board and going South (part 2)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/09/2006 : 22:09:25

Living full-time on board and going South (part 2);

No ...we're not thinking about changing our minds eventhough we're only a couple of day trips from home. Thanks for your posted encouragements, invitations and well wishes. We're working on the second installment including mods and general living pictures to share with you. At this moment we are traveling highway 101 going South and staying in Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast and loving it in spite of some horrible weather conditions.

By the way the modifications we mentioned earlier worked out well and pictures are forthcoming...

In fact what we dreamed of and anticipated for a long time (some 30 odd years) is happening and filling in one step at the time. And we're still like it even after having lived, with the two of us, on the boat now for almost 6 weeks fulltime... first in our slip at Point Roberts roaming around and waiting to be slinged out of the water, then once the boat was pulled in the marina's boat yard on 6 ft high stilts while we renewed (only time we're happy with only 25 ft) the bottom with antifouling paint. 3 days later and with significant damage to our wallet we left Point Roberts, WA and drove 60 km (40 miles) to a campsite just 2 miles North of the border.

The next day crossing the Canadian/USA border we ran into a significant problem of being notified by Home Security that we, as permanent residents in Canada with Dutch passports, could not visit the USA for longer than 3 months without a visa. News to us!!! A visa allowing access to the USA for 6 months would need to be obtained through the US embassy in Vancouver. The short of the story is that we turned around, visited the US Consul only to conclude that it takes minimum, no matter what, two months. After some debate we decided to go South and deal with it when the time comes less than 90 days hence. A possible solution will be to store the boat/equipment somewhere, fly home and return to continue.

Looking back apprehensive moments, we assume, for all of us are slinging the boat in/out of the water, placing it on/off yard blocks/stilts while continueing to live on board and loading it back onto the trailer. Other hot spots are to make the boat travel ready, lowering and securing the mast with all shrouds and fore and aft stays securely fastened. This time to be included for the first time was placing the dingy on the bow and hoping that it would snugly fit below the mast and easely secured by the stancheons and a bungy or two. And yes ... it does fit as if it was made for it!! As a bonus we even can raise the bow hatch a crack. Having the dingy on the bow looks teriffic and is well proportioned to the boat.

What other name would suit the dingy better since our Catalina 250 WB is called “Someday Lady” to call the mere 7.5 ft long dingy “Someday Baby”. We'll include some pictures and let you be the judge.

It is a little to early tell but living almost 6 weeks on board has proved that two people can be very comfortable on board of the 25 footer. In fact we have no desire to be anywhere else eventhough we could easely do some motel/hotel hopping. Laundry, toilets, showering and other ameneties are readely available in most locations

Like we heard so many times before we also found that to be well organised and have fixed locations for all stuff is absolutely key... by the way we took far too much clothing and have discarded all but the very minimum.

Traveling with boat and trailer pulled by the one ton Ram diesel automatic is an absolute delight both on the I5 from Vancouver, BC to Portland, Oregon and the rough, hilly curvy and twisty Oregon coastal road. Just have to get used to and anticipate traffic and stay centre of the lane at all times. Am checking the wheel hubs, tow hitch, mast, dingy and outboard whenever we stop. People often slow down to take a better look at us. At campsites we receive comments and some surprised expressions. But... when explain that we're ready for the next snuami people see the sense. (just kidding)

We very much delight in the sensible design and layout of the C250 boats interior however small. The mods added to the boat, such as a teak table with hinged extension and teak side slide-outs, the shelves in the galley, the storage shelve behind the head, the propane tank below the sink (from the rinky dink butane thingy), the gas sniffer, the bow book shelve and the hatch step seat extension all contribute to making the boat more livable.

The biggest problem we've encountered is sweating of the interior. We have tried everything (including this forum suggestions... thanks guys) but no matter we can't seem to get rid of the problem. The best we can do is to:
1)keep the electrical heater blowing hot air to the outside from the bottom of the companion way while drawing cooler moist laden air from the interior. Outside mean is 8 degrees. Inside varies from mean 10 at night to 15 during the day
2)Two crystal cans also help and accumulate moisture by the liter.
3)Ventilate to the outside during cooking by opening the hatch further and pointing the electrical heater upwards to expel the warm moist laden cooking steam air even faster
4)Crack the bow hatch and companion way and apply modest heat to ventilate and dispel night breathing vapours.
5)Annoying as it is we don't seem to be able to keep surfaces dry... toweling it dry wherever practical is the only answer it seems. When we arrive in a warm climate we will dry-out the entire interior even if it takes a week to do!

Next installment we'll discuss storage, equipment and travel hopefully from a warm and balmy climate
Henk for Johanna too

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2006 : 22:45:22

Thanx for another update, I look forward to some sailing tales from exotic places.

Good idea to keep on checking those parts.
As far as the 3 month visa goes - a good idea might be to make a Westjet serviced airport your destination for three months down the road. Book the flights now while they're cheap. That'll take some of the pain out of a bad deal.

Have a great time. Post pictures!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2006 : 22:58:39

>"Coos Bay on the Oregon Coast and loving it in spite of some horrible weather conditions"

Indeed, that was quite a storm system you've just gone through.

Be sure to watch out for the Oregon school zones on highway 101. The speed limit goes from whatever to 20 mph instantly.

Some of the school zones are 'always', others are 'during posted hours' and still others are 'when lights are flashing'. Unfortunately, this information is in lettering so small you can't read it until you're already in the speed zone.

Be especially aware of the speed trap on the north end of Brookings, Oregon. A trooper is often sitting there writing tickets to out of state plates.

At any rate, you've got some beautiful scenery just ahead.

Port Orford
Humbug Mountain Park
Pistol River Beach
Entire Southern Oregon Coast
Pebble Beach Drive - Crescent City
The Redwoods (Take the 'Newton B. Drury' Scenic route and stop in at Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park on the south end).
Patricks Point State Park is a gem.
Trinidad, California
For the best hamburger you'll have in this world, see if the 'Snack Shack' in Orick California is open... and have a 'Paul Bunyan'. The Snack Shack is a little orange shed on the right if you're headed south (a short ways past the Redwood Creek bridge). The flag will be out if she's 'cooking'.

Oh well, I'm rambling on about my own back yard.

Post back or send me a PM if you end up stopping near Humboldt Bay (Eureka) and we'll try and meet. Maybe you'll feel like staying on the bay for a few days. (The Woodley Island Marina is a VERY nice place)

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2006 : 16:39:39

Pictures are in the works this afternoon!!

Thank you for the invitation... we would love to stay/sail near Humboldt Bay providing the temperature is warm enough to make it pleasant...

School zone traffic alerts... We did notice the signs and your warning (we think) came just a little too late... XC%^$#@!!! Does a trooper need to stop and ticket you or is it camera controlled?? If it is a trooper we're ok but if it is by camera we're in the soep.

Henk and Johanna... Pavement sailing and loving it

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2006 : 16:46:22

Pictures are in the works this afternoon!!

Great idea to book a flight now to avoid having to sell the boat later!!

Thank you for the invitation... we would love to stay/sail near Humboldt Bay providing the temperature is warm enough to make it pleasant...

School zone traffic alerts... We did notice the signs and your warning (we think) came just a little too late... XC%^$#@!!! Does a trooper need to stop and ticket you or is it camera controlled?? If it is a trooper we're ok but if it is by camera we're in the soep.

Henk and Johanna... Pavement sailing and loving it

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2006 : 19:55:41

If I was in your shoes... I'd be targeting San Carlos or Puerto Escondito Mexico (sea of Cortez). You'll get out of the US and into lovely warm cruising grounds at the same time.

Here's some inspiration:

http://nwpotters.org/baja/index.html
http://www.redact.org/tsingtao/index.html
http://www.svmirador.net/
http://www.squizfloats.com/index.html

I don't think you'll hit pleasant weather on the Pacific Coast until you get south of Pt. Conception. Major change in the climate/ocean takes place there.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/10/2006 : 21:34:28

"is a trooper we're ok but if it is by camera we're in the soep"

No ticket-issuing traffic cams in Oregon as far as I know... except maybe in downtown Portland. Not even sure on that.

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kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2006 : 14:41:21

Lots of them all over Portland and Beaverton. Either in vans for speed traps, or fix mounted for red light traps.

-Kevin

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