Moving back to Washington - boat please?

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bshillam

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Aug 21, 2007
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C Dory Year
1981
Vessel Name
Heaven To Me
So after three years away from the Pacific Northwest we have decided it is time to return. As great luck would have it we are looking at Bellingham to call home. A few questions,
Are there any current Brats that can give our family the scoop on Bellingham? Maybe have a chat over the phone. We are looking to buy and would love to gather as much info as possible. Feel free to call me direct, 503-781-9967. We are so looking forward to enjoying on and off the water time with the West Coast Brats again.
Now to the next boat, the wife wants a shower, but our budget is limited. I think this might blow the CD out. Although I am still looking at a 22. Thoughts about fuel efficient boats with shower in the 30k range? We'll more than likely keep the boat in the water. I thought about an Al in Family Cruiser, Paris and a few small diesel trawlers. Speed isn't important. Safe and reliable is though. Thoughts? Maybe I'll just need to build a 22 shower.... :teeth
 
We live on Whidbey Island about a hour away from Bellingham and have considered it one of the places we might move to, if we moved. In our opinion it would be a very nice place to live. It has good access to great cruising. The negative for us has been that to get to the San Juans or Canada you have to cross Bellingham Bay and that is shallow and often pretty choppy. That is more of an annoyance than a real problem though. As for a shower, we cruise weeks at a time in our 22 and have found marina showers pretty easy to come by. If it is a necessity to have one in the boat I'd sure be looking for C-Dorys back there, they seem to sell for a lot less than out here, even adding transportation costs in the mix. Finding a boat out here in the $30K range with an on-board shower is going to be a challenge. Feel free to PM me to talk about Bellingham.
 
We live in Bellingham and keep our boat at Squalicum Harbor. Right now there is available moorage in the 26'-33' sizes, but it does get tight in the summer. We love Bellingham and have lived here on and off for the past 55 years. Let us know if you want any information about the city, real estate, boating out of Squalicum, or whatever.

Yes, the bay can be choppy but we've grown used to it (and now that we have a Grand Banks 32, even less of an issue).
 
I've spent a bunch of time recently on a late '70s vintage Tollycraft 30. It's a huge boat inside, but there's little cockpit space. The shower is a "wet head" and works well enough. I don't think there's a bigger 30 footer available.

I know one with twin Hino 150 diesels and another with Volvo common rail diesels (can't remember the HP). I ran from Meyers Chuck to Ketchikan with the Tolly 30 with Volvo's in 30 knots of headwind and five foot seas. The Tolly threw a ton of spray and seemed to ride reasonably well at ~12 knots. Once we got into more protected water I was impressed that it could do 20+ knots. The boat with the Hinos is much slower, but fairly efficient, though certainly not C-Dory efficient.

The repower Volvo repower cost more than $60k. The boat with the Hinos was purchased for about $30k. Tollys are well built, safe, and have a strong following.

Here's a gas powered 30' Tolly like the ones I have experience with...http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=16624&url=

Another option, if slow is okay and you're willing to do some work on the boat, is an older Willard 30. Super efficient and very seaworthy (they've been to Bermuda on their own; 36 footers have been to Hawaii). They're not cheap, though. A Willard 40 may be my next boat.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=76619&url=
 
We had a 30/32 foot Carver with single 140 hp diesel--this boat has a stall shower, as well as an aft cabin, pilot house, forward cabin and Galley down--about the same as the 35 foot Trawlers. There were at least two with single diesels and at least two with twin 140 HP Diesels --all I see for sale now are twin gas--but keep your eyes open--these are great boats. The Cape Dory trawler are diesel with a stall shower, and may be found in;your price range.

The Maple Bay Trawler 27 is a "wet bath"--but we had that on our Cal 46, and if the head is large enough it is OK...

The Power boat buyers guide is a great resource--mine is a few years. But also you might look at the various Willards,

The iconic Mainship 34 has a stall shower--and there are a number fo sale--I am sure you can get one in your price range.
 
I lived in Bellingham for a while when finishing school. I thought it was ok. It might have been just the time in my life effecting my perspective, but two things really bothered me about B'ham.

#1 the weather - Bellingham has its own microclimate. It is relatively cold for western washington!! Most of the year, the temperatures are 10 degrees colder than cities to the south. But that doesnt take into account the wind chill factor. The Fraser River valley just north in BC, funnels always cold air adding to the wind chill. During winter, a few degrees can make the difference between frozen dangerous roads or just a drizzly morning. In the summers it seems windier and cooler then other places in the area.

#2 Isolation - this part is the most subjective. Bellingham seemed a little isolated to me. You're backed up against the canadian border, the mountains and the Bay. Its a long drive south, even to Mt Vernon.... but id still have to go to Everett or Seattle for some things. I was a college kid, and maybe it was just that fact which made it a problem.

I think its a great city, and has alot to offer. I just figured I'g give you my perspective from my time there. It's worth the .0 cents it costs! Im just South in Stanwood and feel like those problems dont apply anymore. Good luck on finding a place and a boat!

You could find a pretty decent sailboat with all the amenities , including a small diesel inboard for you price range.
 
Albin 25 is a good little cruiser, has a shower I think. Check out the vids on YouTube. A good one will run you 15 to 20k, there are a few for sale online.

Martin.
 
bridma":20memtb3 said:
Albin 25 is a good little cruiser, has a shower I think.
Click to expand...

They have a head, with a toilet and sink, but no shower. (A-25 and C-Dory were my top two choices when I decided to buy a powerboat.)

Sunbeam
 
The Albin 27's have a "wet bath" shower--not a stall shower.
 
Yes sir,
We have just accepted an offer on our place here on the East Coast. Moving to Bellingham mid-June! We are going to be visiting starting next week looking for a place to call home. Please continue to weigh in. We are looking forward to connecting at some C-Brat gatherings.
 
We looked and looked at that side of the Sound, we now call it "The Dark Side". A friend suggested that we look at Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula. We looked, we liked and never regretted it.

A Google search will give all the info you need, but a visit will seal the deal!
 
Patty and I will be moving to Birch Bay, about 17 miles north of Bellingham, at the end of this year. We just love Bellingham! It is big enough to have everything you need, and has a really unique character. We sure never found it "isolated"! And if you just have to get to a big city, Vancouver and Seattle are close enough!

Rather than keeping a boat in the water, I would recommend dry storage at Hilton Harbor right across from Squalicum Harbor. They sling you in, you take off for your cruise, you come back, they sling you out, you rinse your boat down with the big fresh water hose, and they put your boat back in its slot, either on blocks or your trailer. No stuff growing on your hull! It really is the ultimate in convenience! We kept Daydream at Hilton Harbor for two summers, and loved it. If we could not get in before they closed, we just would call ahead and they would have it tied up at the dock for us. HIghly recommended!
 
We will second the recommendation for Hilton Harbor. We were there for three years and loved it. They take boats up to 10 tons and up up to 10' beam.
 
Anyone know a good broker up in Bellingham? Looking for 30-36 foot range mote than likely. Trawler, diesel powered. Something to really enjoy the islands with and begin planning the inner coastal for next year if the cards are right.
 
You might want to try Scott Blake at Northwest Explorations. A good, competent, and honest broker. If he cannot help you then I'm sure that he will direct to someone who can. He specializes in GBs but you could do worse!
 
Les at EQ Marine has a Tolly for sale, can't remember the details on it. I'm sure he will tell you all about it and if interested will make you a super deal.
 
What a great time of year to move, July 3rd. So we will be celebrating on several fronts!
Well, we have discussed budget and needs and have come up with a few. $100k or less. Needs to have a bed for the wife and I and one for our growing son. This typically puts us in the 32+ range. Diesel for the long cruises. We'd like something to enjoy all the water around us, including the inner coastal up to Alaska next year. Any more suggestions, keep them coming. I am really enjoying the search process as there are so many options. More in the boat industry than car!
 
In that price point there are a few GB 32's, or a ton of Bayliners, there are even a few older Nordic tug 32's. Happy hunting!

Don
 
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