"Secret Lure" 3
12 November 2016 | Home Base: Near Shelton, two hours drive south of Seattle, Washington State.
Pam Lau and Ted Berry
Picture: Launching the boat into the Hammersley Inlet, Puget Sound.
We had to wait until high tide before we could transfer the boat from its trailer to the boathouse. High tide was 17:30 and sunset was officially at 16:50 so we had to do it quickly before it got too dark. We borrowed a canoe from Susan next door so we could get to the boat without getting wet. Needless to say, we were both quite nervous about the operation, especially Ted, the mastermind of project. I knew he was figuring things out as he went along because he did not tell me what I need to do. Finally, at the boat ramp with the trailer in the water, he told me to get on the boat and back it into the channel as he released it from the trailer. I had only driven it for five minutes or so during the sea trails but fortunately, it handled like a car so I was able to back it up, turn it around, put it into neutral and wait for Ted to park the trailer and paddle out in the canoe. While I was waiting, there were two seals speculating on the situation with interest.
Getting onto the tracks leading into the boathouse was no problem because Ted welded tall posts on the both sides of the trolley. We pulled it in slowly and successfully - except we could not get all the boat inside! When we bought the boat we assumed it would fit our 30-foot boathouse because actual the boat is only 26 feet 8 inches. However, when we got it home we realized it was actually 31 feet long including the bowsprit with the anchor roller at the front and the "kicker" outboard motor on the swim step at the back. Another problem to be solved!!
At least the boat is off the driveway and under shelter, except for about one foot of course!