Hi Pauley,
Well, this has certainly been an interesting topic. :wink: Regarding the "filled with floating debris" question: I am certainly not an expert in Pacific Northwest boating, but our experience there has been that, yes, you will see floating debris on a daily basis (usually logs). To add to the fun, toss in current from the 20 foot tides, wind waves, wake from passing ferries... and some of those logs are in the troughs of waves... not easy to see. You really have to keep a vigilant eye out on the water ahead.
Living near Texas Hill Country, you are familiar with those tall things with the green stuff on top? Yeah, trees. Well, all those gorgeous islands (and the mainland) out in the PNW are covered with those things. It's not unusual to see a tug pulling a half mile of logs (I'm sure there's a name for that). Occasionally, a log gets away. And after a big rain, stuff comes down those beautiful mountains, washing into the water. It's not something that should scare away any careful mariner, but it IS something to be aware of (and watch out for).
When in the San Juans, every direction you look is full of islands, mountains, trees, rocks... truly breathtaking. And, justifiably, the people who live there are protective of that natural beauty. Perhaps the reason your wake board inquiry raised some eyebrows?
While you sound like a boater who cares, as a former sailor I can tell you that our experience with wake boarders was less than pleasant. Seems they enjoyed using our boats as a "waypoint" to run around. Often they would run close to the marina breakwater, rocking every boat in the place. It also seems that folks who actually live at the water's edge don't take kindly to having their property eroded away by unnecessary wake. Now, we all know that YOU would never be so inconsiderate, but such is the reputation that others have given that activity.
The Cummins engine in the R-25 sounds like just the "boost" that boat could use to live up to its performance potential. Physics being a reasonably predictable science, keep the boat light to see and maintain those numbers. We see a very real 3 knot difference in performance between a boat (CD-25) fully loaded for cruising and when we are home and just "day tripping."
After spending a few nights in your new boat, comfortable and secure at anchor, you may find that your opinion of folks who blast through an anchorage to be along the lines of many of the folks here. There are lots of different boats and uses out there... the "party barge" pontoon, the cigarette-type go-fast, elegant sailboats, husky work boats, runabouts pulling kids on tubes, ski boats, flat bottom bay skimmers, sport fishers, cabin cruisers, shrimpboats, jet boats, sailing cats doing the "wild thang", excursion boats, ferries... most of these are pretty purposefully designed. Oh sure, we've all seen someone camping out on an open bow runabout, but that's sure not the norm. Your tug going 20 knots will turn some heads. I know when we were in the San Juans, running at mid-teens, and a Nordic Tug blew by us, I was gawking. :shock: I've frequently said, "The right boat for the mission", but I also believe that you "run what you brung."
Pick up a cruising guide or two for the San Juans, and study up before you go to pick up your boat. That is absolutely one of our favorite cruising grounds. If you have time (and bring your passports), you can make it an "international" shakedown by running over to the Gulf Islands or into the captivating Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Exciting times ahead!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
:beer