Photo: Seattle at Night from Elliot Bay

Water was a bit rough and made for an interesting night skyline shot of Seattle. The white streak in the center of the sky is the moon.

Photo: Relaxing on the MC30

Dick Myers enjoying a ride on "Quay Cat." Bainbridge Island is in the background.

North Sound Day Cruise

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Susan Karren, Tom Karren, Rob Karren, Dick Myers, Tamra Myers
Weather: Fog in AM, Clearing in afternoon, 60s
Seas: Calm to 1'
Engine Hours: 54.0-60.0
Destination: Whidbey Island, Mukilteo, Poulsbo, Seattle

Cruised north in light fog to the bottom of Whidbey Island where we had a picnic and watched the seals. Then continued down to Edmonds where we dropped Tamara off. Continued on to Poulsbo via Agate Pass. We grabbed a slip for a few minutes at Poulsbo and walked around the waterfront. Continued south from Poulsbo to Seattle through Rich Passage.

Tom suggested dinner in Seattle. Not remembering if Salty's had a dock, we cruised to West Seattle to check it out. No luck. On to Bell Harbor Marina where we docked and walked down the waterfront to Red Robin (We let the kids pick the venue for the evening).

After dinner, we had our first night cruise in Quay Cat. Fog was starting to come in from the south, but stayed clear between Seattle and Kingston. Time from Bell Town to Seattle was 55 minutes.

Fueled up at Poulsbo. Engine hours was 56.7; 10.1 hours from last fueling on 9/20. Put in 44.6 hours for 4.46 gallons per hour. Guess Bill and I used a little more fuel cruising at 5000 RPM last week. Price was $2.50 a gallon at Poulsbo. I am sure glad we fill up on shore most of the time. That usually saves an additional $0.50 to $0.75 a gallon.

Maintenance Issues: None

Photo: Majestic Hood Canal

The Cascade mountains emerge from behind the Dabob Peninsula in the Hood Canal. "We have to come back here for a longer trip."

Photo: Fisherman's Harbor

After a narrow and shallow entry, Fisherman's Harbor opens into a beautiful cove. This would be a great place to anchor and have dinner some evening.

Photo: Entering Fisherman's Harbor

The pasage into Fisherman's Harbor is VERY shallow. Becuase of the MC30's shallow draft, we were able to enter at mid-tide with just 3 feet of water below our props. Bill is on the bows looking for rocks as we inch into the harbor.

Exploring Hood Canal

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Bill Weir
Weather: Sunny and clear, 70
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 48.6 to 54.2
Destination: New Places and Unknown Waters

Exploration was the theme for today's cruise. No set agenda other than to see new things.

I Met with Bill on the 1:30 Edmonds ferry after a morning meeting in Seattle. We arrived in Kingston at 2:00, picked up the truck, hooked up the trailer and launched the boat by 2:30. As we exited the harbor, I asked Bill "north or south" today? He chose north and we were off at about 19 knots. When we got past Point No Point, we decided to cruise the Hood Canal south instead of going north to Port Townsend. The key to the decision was that we had not been south of the bridge before.

Few people cruise Hood Canal, perhaps because of the limited number of marinas. The name Canal is misleading. This is no commercial, narrow, man-made canal, but a fjord carved by glaciers. We got the charts out and an old Waggoner Cruising Guide and started looking for places to explore deciding on the south end of Dabob Peninsula and Pleasant Harbor by Dosewallips State Park. We did not quite get to Dosewallips though, sidetracked by Fisherman's Harbor.

The Hales commented in Waggoner that they tiptoed into Fisherman's Harbor at less than full tide in a sail boat without touching. Since the MC30 only draws 18", we decided to give it a try although it was only mid-tide. After all, what is the point of a beachable, shallow draft boat if not to go where others cannot? We crept up at 1 knot or so when the depth read under 10 feet. Just inside the harbor we read 3 feet under our engines. The water was clear and the bottom was covered with oysters. Once inside the harbor, the depth drops to 20 feet and opens into an amazing cove.
We left Fisherman's Harbor after exploring for half an hour. Not enough time to really enjoy it. I want to go back and anchor there. Dinner on the boat in that cove will be a great outing. As we left the Fisherman's Harbor, we continued around Dabob peninsula. The Cascade mountains leapt into view with a great open bay of water stretching out from the mountains. Hood Canal is as pretty as any of the views in Desolation Sound 200 miles north, but only a few hours away from Seattle.

Lots of porpoises out today. We saw about a dozen of them in five or six different sightings.

Maintenance Issues:

None

Photo: The MC30 Feeling: Fun!

John Bailey enjoying the afternoon on Quay Cat. We cruised south from Kingston to Blake Island at 18 MPH. As we accelerated out of Kingston Harbor, Bailey said: "This is the feeling you have to capture on the web site!"

Photo: Seattle Skyline

The Seattle Skyline from the water. Without a boat, many of the best parts of Seattle are out of reach. Today we cruised to Blake island, a beautiful state park only accessable by boat.

Photo: Sunset in Rich Passage

The sun setting over the water was spectacular as we cruised back to Kingston.

Afternoon Cruise to Blake Island

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: John Bailey
Weather: Mostly cloudy, clearing later.
Seas: 1 to 2 foot with white caps
Engine Hours: 46.6 to 48.7
Destination: Blake Island

Cruised with John Bailey to Blake Island. John loved it as we left the harbor and throttled up to cruising speed. "That is the feeling you have to get onto the web site!" As we cruised up the west side of Bainbridge Island in 2 foot white caps, Quay Cat did not even roll a bit. Smooth as silk cutting through the chop.

Bailey and I discussed marketing. He suggested some of the Seattle social networking groups. These groups have 10 to 15K members and are actively looking for fun things to do. Not sure how we can approach them due to lack of charter insurance and also the fact that we are only good for small outings of 4 to 6 people. The MC30 is a great vessel for small groups of friends to explore, not a platform for 50 to 100 people to use to party. We also discussed joining some of the local cruising clubs.

Filled up with gas; 15 gal. in the starboard tank and 12 in the port tank. At 46.6 hours, we had run 10.6 gallons since the last fueling at 36 gallons. That is only 2.55 GPH! As Kurt Kolb, the owner of MC30 "Deuce" likes to say, "We are pumping out more than we pump in."

Maintenance Issues:

Stepped on guard line on bow and it broke open. Need to fix the line back in the clip.

Still need a line to lead from the winch line to the tow hook under the swim platform.

Need to decide where to mount the speakers for the stereo both inside the cabin and in the cockpit. Got a system with a remote control so we can operate the stereo from the pilots chair.

Photo: Towable Fun with MC30

Ben takes a trun on the tube. He give the MC30 two thumbs up. "Your boat (the MC30) is so cool."

Salmon Fishing off Possession Point

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Thomas Karren, Robert Karren, Dick Anderson
Weather: Partly cloudy
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 41.5 - 46.7
Destination: Possession Point, Mukilteo, Point No Point, Eglon

Tried salmon fishing for the second time. Although we caught no salmon, we spent another glorious day on the water in Quay Cat. The day started a bit overcast and threatening, but turned into a beautiful fall day. Days like this make me even happier that I bought a Motorcat30.

Tom and Rob each caught several small salmon (aka shakers.) We saw only one big fish jump out of the water and none of the multitude of other boats seemed to have any real action either. After a couple hours trolling off of Possession Point, we headed for Point-No-Point. Tom and Rob then went through a dozen leaders and hooks on dogfish. Kids had a great time and I will eventually catch a big salmon.

Several other boaters came up to compliment us on our boat. The MC30 is an attention getter. Gave away a brochure to an interested boater at the dock as we pulled Quay Cat out of the water. He talked with us for 30 minutes as we washed the salt off and rinsed the engines out. He said his aft-cabin cruiser burns 20 gallons an hour and was VERY impressed with our 3 GPH statistic. We calculated that is 250 gallons ($500) more than Quay Cat uses on a typical weekend. He was amazed that we cruise at 15 to 20 on a couple of Honda 50s and will call North Sound Cruising Center and schedule a time to cruise with us.

Maintenance Issues:

All the port gauges went dead for a while. Fuel, Tach, Speed and Trim all out. Will talk to Bay Marine.

Noticed a small scratch in the gelcoat on the port side halfway back about two feet above the waterline. Will patch.

Testing MC30 with Tow-ables

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Robert Karren, Thomas Karren, Brad Swartzwelter, Ben Swartzwelter
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 65 degrees.
Seas: 1 to 2 foot chop
Engine Hours: 38.5 - 41.5
Destination: Madison Bay

Cruised south to Madison to try out MC30 with tow-able devices. Used a tube and a surf board. Due to the chop, we were much more successful with the tube, although Ben gave the surf board several good tries. He was able to get up to his knees before falling over on the surf board. Towed Ben at 17 MPH on the tube. Was able to get him outside the wake and skipping across the chop. Robert tried the tube next. We towed him at about 10 MPH and he stayed directly behind the boat. Thomas tried it last. Initially he did not want to try it, but saw how much fun Robert and Ben had and decided to give it a go. We also tried towing Tom at about 10 MPH. He did fine until we turned. He slowed down on the inside of the wake and got splashed good with very cold Puget Sound water.

Maintenance Items:

Need to get an additional rope with handle for knee boards and surf boards.

Cabin door will not stay latched open. Need a better latch on the outside. Should be covered under warranty. Will contact Bond Yachts.

Photo: Coming to Shore

Heading for the beach at Mukilteo. Days like this remind us why we live in the Northwest. Blue sky, blue water and green trees.

Photo: Lowering Beach Steps

Beached and ready to lower the bow steps. We had to come to the beach twice. There was a current to the north that pushed Quay Cat abeam to the shore. We costed in the second time just right.

Photo: Beached at Mukilteo

Quay Cat guest posing for photo after coming ashore down the bow steps. "What a great hook for customers."

Photo: Beached Quay Cat Draws Admirers

People are impressed with the Motorcat30, but are awed when they see her come to shore. "I have never seen a boat that can do that" was a common statement from people on the beach.

Scott Karren, President North Sound Cruising Center

Sailing in Desolation Sound

Mukilteo Sales Cruise

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Tom Karren, Rob Karren, Chris Carle
Weather: 75 Degrees, Sunny
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 36.0 - 38.5
Destination: Mukilteo

Took boat to Mukilteo to show to Chris Carle and wife. Fueled. 15.7 gallons and 15.6 gallons = 31.3. 8 hours = 4 GPH. Not bad for running at 5000 RPM all day!

Beached at Mukilteo. Need to come in straight or wind & current will knock you sideways. Second time worked very well. People on beach stared at us. Given they do not see motor cruisers come ashore to drop passengers often!

Maintenance Log

*Port speedometer still not reliable
*Both trim gauges still have condensation
*Port trim gauge broken/uneven inside

Weekend Cruise to the Butchart Gardens Day Three

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Tom Karren, Rob Karren, Sue Karren.
Weather: Mostly sunny
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 29.1 - 36.0
Destination: Kingston, WA

Moored for the night at Todd Inlet, spent the afternoon at Butchart Gardens after putting Origami, our dinghy, together. We actually got a mooring buoy! Lots of loons, herons and geese.

When we put Origami together, we engaged in rusty combat against boat and bolt on the bow, but Dad's imagination saved the day. He turned bungee cords into seat latches! It took the better part of the hour. Bolts rusty, needed pliers. Launched, docked, and retrieved off the bow.
Cooked risotto with chicken for the first hot meal on the boat. Served with chopped vegies, cheese, and salami. Breakfast was scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese. Boys went for a morning row.

Cleared US Customs @ 1:05 P.M.
Got home at 4:00 P.M.

Maintenance Log

***Need hot water w/o shore power. Scott rivals the herons when he showers cold!

Photo: Moored in Butchart Cove

Quay Cat moored in Butchart Cove, Vancouver Island, B.C. Used dinghy Origami to row to dinghy dock. Kids under 12 can enter the Gardens for only $2.00 CAN!

Weekend Cruise to the Butchart Gardens Day Two

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Sue Karren
Weather: Partly cloudy
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 24.5 - 29.1
Destination: Todd Inlet/Butchart Gardens

Cleared customs in Sidney, B.C., 11:20 AM

Bought 111 litres of gasoline, 28 hours.

*Buy: Painter for dinghy, measuring cup, measuring spoon, silverware, placemat/coasters

Thomas and Robert learned to row and went out by themselves in Todd Inlet. We made good time from Port Townsend to Sidney - just under 2 hours. It started partly cloudy and cool with a bit of a swell. The wristband and meclazine kept Sue from feeding the fishes. It smoothed out and got sunnier 3/4 of the way across the Strait. We saw a Minkie whale - Scott saw it first. Seal and a porpoise followed. Sue made lunch, Thomas' sandwich and cutting board blew overboard, had to go collect the cutting board in dinghy. Scott made hot dinner.

Photo: Rowing Away in the Dinghy

The boys learned to row, and spent a whole hour rowing around Todd Inlet!

Weekend Cruise to the Butchart Gardens Day One

Skipper: Scott Karren
Guests: Tom Karren, Rob Karren, Sue Karren
Weather: Mostly cloudy, light rain
Seas: Calm
Engine Hours: 22.5 - 24.5
Destination: Port Townsend

Cruised to Port Townsend. Averaged 18 knots SOG. Was cruising at 5000 RPM and 20 MPH. Victoria Clipper passed us doing 25 MPH.

Rafted up with powerboats at slip 74 in the Point Hudson Marina. Cost was $19.50.

Walked into town for dinner. Kids wanted pizza. We ordered way too much. Had a Waterfront Combo 16" & a Greek 12". Next time a 16" is plenty. Maybe even a 12" will do.

Bought to metal crab sculptures for M&N. Wefigure that when you find a present for them, you buy it!

*Still have condensation in trim gauges. Will need to be fixed.
*Gel coat fix on side where VHF antenna was removed is very rough.
*Need to order more decal from Poland.

Found motor mounts in bottom of large cabinet. Too late! Starboard engine makes larger rooster-tail than port.