The Pacific Northwest weather might having thinking otherwise, but springtime is officially here. Just over half way through, we’ve had our share of “April Showers” – along with March, February, and… Bring on the May flowers!
With some free time and a forecast that looked okay, I pushed away from the dock for a few days for a much appreciated getaway.
For more information on the Motor Vessel David B, visit the Northwest Navigation Website and check out Christine Smith’s book, More Faster Backwards: Rebuilding David B.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared anything from my “Classic Boat Porn” stash – a collection that I’ve acquired over the years, including an e-bay purchase of “FIFTEEN POUNDS OF ASSORTED BOATING LITERATURE”.
A member of the Tollycraft Boating Club’s Facebook group was looking for information on a new-to-him classic, so I entered the archives and unearthed this gem: The brochure featuring the entire Tollycraft Yachts line for 1964.
Check out my Old Boating Literature page for more, and feel free to download and print any that you’d like!
I’ve decided to try something new… The idea isn’t new – it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Combine a few of my skills: story telling and photography, with a little technology to create some short, hopefully enjoyable videos.
In addition to my own content, I’ll link to other YouTubers’ content that helps fuel my daydreams of adventure. They’ve inspired me, and perhaps my videos can help inspire someone else to get out and do the things they love, or experience something new.
Like other boaters I’m sure, I find myself daydreaming about places I’ve been and places I’d like to visit on my boat. This seems to be especially true during the rainy winter season. Some winters I manage to get out and do some cruising, while others I don’t. This has been one of those when my boat has been confined to her slip, aside from a few day cruises.
If you’re suffering a similar affliction, the folks at Pacific NW Boater have made coping a bit easier, allowing an opportunity to visit the San Juan Islands from the comfort of your living room with their new DVD: Washington State Parks Cruising Guide – Volume 1, San Juan Islands.
The beautifully-produced DVD, showcases nineteen State Park locations in the San Juan Islands. Producers Darren and Lisa O’Brien take you along as they explore the parks, and provide an excellent overview of park facilities and attractions, so you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect when you visit. While the videos aren’t intended to be an aid to navigation, the O’Briens do bring attention to possible navigation hazards, and share some useful hints on accessing park facilities. The DVD is great for all boating audiences, as they cover State Park docks, mooring buoys, an on-shore facilities. The photography is excellent, capturing the beautiful scenery the San Juans are known for.
My boating life began when I was weeks old, riding around in a small runabout, where my brother and I were stowed under the bow when the water got rough. My family visited many of the Washington State Parks in the San Juans, but there are some I’ve never been. The DVD introduced me to some new destinations I now look forward to visiting that I’ve motored past for years.
Whether you’re new to boating the San Juans or have spent a lifetime exploring the Islands, you’ll enjoy Pacific NW Boater’s DVD: Washington State Parks Cruising Guide – Volume 1, San Juan Islands.
Be sure to check out the “Extras”, though… The music video is just what the doctor ordered for a case of the winter blahs.
On this rainy January day, I’ve decided to warm up the scanner and crack open my “boat porn” stash. Flipping through my growing collection, I came across the 1968 Lyman Boats brochure.
Lyman Boats began building clinker lapstrake boats in 1875 in Cleveland, Ohio, designed to handle the rough waters of Lake Erie. The popularity of fiberglass boats led to the end of Lyman’s near-century of production in 1973.
Although not a northwest boat, Lymans do have a cult following, not unlike my beloved Tolly, and it’s not unusual to see a well-loved specimen on our local waters, as they remain a popular classic wooden boat.
Feel free to download, print, or share the attached pdf. The file is pretty large, so it may take a moment to download, depending on your internet connection.
I plan to scan and share more of my collection, so stay tuned to see what I might come up with next!
