While I was in Port Townsend for the Boat Fest, I met up with Bruce, who I first met here on-line. Bruce is an adventurer from Portland, Oregon. Now, it's a true reality check to meet someone in person, who you think you know so well, here in the Internets. Apparently I've advised Bruce on everything from purchasing the right trailer to finding a good deal on oars. He's had some good advise.
I must admit, when Bruce told me he was going to row from Seattle to Port Townsend, I was intrigued but when I heard he was to do it in an Adirondack Guide Boat, he'd gotten my attention.
The Adirondack Guide Boat was designed for flushing out game in the reeds of backwoods lakes, not cruising an open sea. But Bruce was determined and he did it. Bruce is a philosopher as much a sailor... possibly there is very little distinction there.
You can share his experience on Terrapin Tales.
He keeps a log in a notebook and sketches some of the entries. How he can do that and navigate a (very) small boat in variable weather is completely beyond me.
This first sketch is a map of his Salish Sea adventures to date. The distances in miles are modest, yet the voyage ethereal.
We found camaraderie on the day-long ride home. Bruce sketched us on the road in the "DoryMan Big Truck", which, with a couple beautiful boats on top, got some attention. For the back-story, please visit Bruce at Terrapin Tales.
Bruce is the new owner of an Iain Oughtred Arctic Tern, of which, we will hear more anon....
3 comments:
Thanks for the flattering cover story! More tales from my trip and travels on my new boat are coming- usually on Sunday nights. Eventually there will be a story about you too!
I might add that the Adirondack guideboat is quite seaworthy for its size. There are some impressive pictures out there of the boats in serious wind and waves: http://www.adirondack-guide-boat.com/category/our-rough-water-department .
-Bruce
Looking forward to the sequel(s) Bruce.
I have no doubt the Adirondack guide boat can handle some weather, you proved it!
I'd just like to back up what Bruce said about Guideboats and rough water.
I experimented with mine in a waves against current situation and had it surfing at around 9 knots on the GPS against a 5 knot current. It felt quite safe, the high ends worked well to match the curve of the wave and the pinned oars make useful rudders while trailing.
The hull also seems ideally shaped for taking waves on the beam. It sits flat unless the wave is steep enough to break over the gunnel in which case it starts tilting.
Kelvin
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