Travel to Anacortes

May 20, 2011

Today we leave Des Moines.  We considered going by water to Anacortes, but the logistics of getting the truck and trailer there could not be worked out.  So we prepared to have the boat loaded on the trailer.  The marina has a sling lift for that purpose.  Kenny arrives from the plant with my trailer and to assist me in loading it for the first time.

While we are working, Willie catches a great shot of a Mallard that dive bombs me.  I guess I was in his way as he wanted to  be in slip adjacent to us.  Jake does not even protect me, seems that he has lost his natural bird dog properties.

After prepping Willie's Tug for travel, we motor over to the lift.  We have to drive the tug into the slings and stay centered until the operator brings us up high enough for us to step off.

Piece of cake as this is how we have putting our previous tug into its slip at home.  Except on a smaller scale.

The operator carries us over to the trailer and gently sets us down on it. We strap her down and off we go to Anacortes, working our way through the Seattle traffic.  Since the trailer sets a little down in the front, we take it easy until we can get a higher draw bar for our hitch.  The truck pulls it effortlessly, looks like we made a good choice.

We arrive in Anacortes without incident and try to unload at the marina.  But they decline to unload it without bunk cutouts for their straps.  Andrew tells me later that they did several 27s at the trawler fest.  They sent us over to Cap Sante Marine who did a fine job of getting us off the trailer and into the water.  We motor up the small channel and into Cap Sante Boat Haven, which will be our base of operation for the next 4 months.

Now we have to do a bit of walking to move the truck and trailer over to the temporary parking until we can find home for the trailer.

We have just enough time to get home in the slip and secure everything down before happy hour.  We prepare for Capt. Mac, who will come tomorrow for a day on the water provided by the plant.  We have heard many good things about his sessions.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

Des Moines Day 2

These next couple posts are out of order, but I wanted to catch up on our taking delivery of the boat.

Thursday May 19, 2011

Today is on our own as we continue to put things in their place.  After a bit this, we decide it is too pretty to sit at the dock.  So we head out into the sound to explore and get used to the larger boat.  We cruise Southeast from Des Moines following the coast line down to Tacoma.  We stay clear of the traffic lanes.  Yesterday we found how fast some of large commercial ships move.  We do the breakin routine that Andrew recommended, 5 minutes at 2000 rpms, 5 at 3000, and 5 at 4000.  After all that we find that we really like traveling about 1800 or so.  But it is nice to have the power when you want or need it.

Jake finds his place on the floor between Willie and me.

Heading back toward Des Moines, we cruise along side of Vashon and Maury Islands.  Maury Island appears to be actually attached to Vashon.  At Robinson Point, we move close enough for Willie to photograph the light house.

We thread our way back into the narrow channel into Des Moines Marina and get a little more practice backing into a slip.

Another great day on the water here in the Pacific Northwest.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

Guemes Island

We have been slip bound for the past 4 days getting some service work done to correct a couple of minor problems on the new "Willie's Tug".  While down, we continued to make our nest, finding a place for the necessities of life while living abound a 27 foot boat.

This afternoon, we plotted a course around Guemes Island.  Guemes Island is across the Guemes Channel from our slip at Cap Sante in Anacortes.

There was quite a bit of traffic as we left the marina and entered the channel.  A tanker anchored and a Tug with a tow.  We never see this on the Intercoastal Waterway in Texas.  It is a bit unnerving to see a barge following a tug.  As you can see from the picture, the tug is on the left side of the picture and the barge is on the right side.  Notice the cables attaching the two.

We head West in the Guemes Channel and then turn North to follow the Bellingham Channel along the West side of Guemes.  We turn back East going around Clark's Point on the North end of the Island.  Then Southerly following the East side of Guemes going between Saddleback and Huckleberry Islands back to our starting point.  A total of about 19 NM.

We back into our slip, although it does take me two tries.  I guess I was a little cocky from the first two perfect landings.  But we slide in the second time and at least we did not hit anyone or anything.  As we used to say in my airplane driving days...any landing you can walk away from is a good one.

Walldog, Willie and Jake

Taking Delivery of Willie's Tug

May 17, 2011

We arrive in Kent, Washington about 3:30 PM and go to the factory.  We meet with Andrew and Jeff.  Horrors, our boat is not there.  Andrew tells us that it is in the water waiting for us at the Des Moines marina nearby.  It was not hard to find.

If we thought packing the truck was hard, putting everything from the truck into the boat is impossible.

We throw a few necessities into the boat and settle down for happy hour.  After 7 days and 3000 miles, we are in our new home for the summer.

Andrew will arrive in the morning for our orientation.  In the meantime, I look for power cords and water hoses to hook up our power and water.  It is a good thing we are experienced motor homers, so we know what to do.  It will get a little cool after the sun goes down, but we have brought some Texas weather with us to share with our friends here in Seattle.

After spending the morning going over all the systems on the boat, we take her out for the first time.  New boat, new waters.  Very scary and exciting.  We spend about 4 hours motoring around Puget Sound  between Seattle and Tacoma.  Then we take her back to the slip at Des Moines.  Wonder of wonders, we slide her back into the slip and did not hit anything.

I do believe Jake enjoyed the ride. He is finding his place to sleep.  He does not care where is, just that he is.  An attitude from which many of us could learn.

We get back from our shakedown cruise, and Andrew calls for Kenny to bring us a part to replace on the Air conditioner/Heat Pump.  After replacing it , we enjoy a beer together.

A great group of folks with which to do business.  They really care about putting out a quality product and their customer service is rivaled by no one.

Our first full day on the boat is good one.  New friends, great service from the plant, and all this sunshine we brought from Texas.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

Summer 2011 Day 1

May 10, 2011 Port Isabel to Houston

Well we are finally packed and on our way.  I never believed we could get everything that was in the motor home into this Dodge truck.  But it seems like we did.

We are in Houston for a couple of days before heading West Northwest to Seattle to pick up the new "Willie's Tug".

A link to the online album of our adventures is located here.  You can check back from time to time as we will be adding pictures daily.

Jake has a comfortable spot to ride and is quite content.  He is just glad to be going.

We hope you will enjoy riding along with us.

Walldog, Willie and Jake

Willie's Tug Adios

We had a great visit with some new friends from San Mateo California.  They spent a fine couple of days at our home here in Port Isabel.  They looked Willie's Tug over and took several rides in her.  They decided to let her follow them home.  With a tear in Jake's eye, we watched her leave Port Isabel.

As you can see the new owner is an OLD guy like me, so Willie's Tug should feel right at home with him and his much younger wife.

We wish them much happiness and hope to see them in Bremerton, Washington in September for the Ranger Tug Rendezvous.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

Willie’s Tug2

Construction has started on the new "Willie’s Tug² ".

The new boat is a Ranger Tug R27 powered by a Yanmar 180hp marine engine.  This boat is trailer-able and will be our boater-home from late May through September.  A photo album of the construction progress is located here and will be updated from time to time.

Our plans are to take delivery in Seattle, cruise Pugent Sound, San Juan Islands and the Gulf Islands of British Columbia ending with the 2011 TugNuts Rendezvous in Bremerton, Washington in September.

After the Rendezvous, we plan to trailer to Lake Powell for a couple of weeks as we return to the Tropical Tip of Texas.

LMYC Mexico Triangle Race Feb. 13, 2011

My friend Jim and I were given the opportunity to run the "Committee Boat" during the LMYC Mexico Triangle Race.  Rick of TowBoatUS provided his "Rede 1" for the committee boat.  After a checkout, he turned us loose with his boat.

The race was scheduled to run from the Jetties at South Padre Island
South east to an artificial fishing reef just off the Mexico US border.  There is a yellow buoy marking the reef.

From the reef to a gas well about 9 miles Northeast, then about 9 miles back to the Jetties.

Well, the best laid plans of mice and men.  At the start of the race, there was NO and I do mean NO wind.  As the first leg worn on, the wind picked up to about 3 to 5 knots directly on the nose of sailboats trying to make the yellow buoy.  The "Lucky Strike" was the first boat to make the turn around the yellow buoy.

The next was Abel and Frank in the O'Day 25, and third was Mike and Marylin in Sweet Pea.  Since by this time it was well past noon, it was decided to omit the second point and head straight back to the Jetties.

Sweet Pea had a little competition for the buoy as they made the turn.

This Montgomery 17 "Tynee" piloted by Andres Garcia was the 4th boat in the race.  Really looked good, but had a terrible time as did everyone else making headway.

Even though it was poor sailing conditions, it was a fine day to be out on the water.

Random Thoughts from our childhood

My sister asked me about the Radio and TV repair shop that our father opened up in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1953 or 1954.

Daddy opened the TV shop up in 1954, I was 11 years old and for the rest of my childhood, I was there every day after school and on Saturdays.  I finally got time off to play Little League and Little Boys Baseball.  But most of my practice was at the shop next to Mack Weldmon's junk pile.  Boy there were some big rats that lived in that pile of junk.  KALB TV came on the air in 1954.  Most of the day all that was on was a test pattern.  Programming did not start until afternoon and early evening.  Before Channel 5 came to town, the closest station was WDSU in New Orleans.  We had a black and white TV.  It was placed in the corner by the front door of our living/dining room on Baldwin Ave.  If you got as far away from it as possible, you could just make out the images in the "snow".  But we thought it was fantastic.

Daddy worked with Francis Trotter for a few years before he opened up 1401 Lee Street.  Francis had a shop at the corner of 10th and Lee Streets.  Daddy was a 35% partner with Francis in the shop.  At first there was just radio.  One of the things I remember is that the chicken processing plant had an electric grid that killed the chickens.  Daddy would have go out and repair it quite often.  Occasionally they would have to bring it into the shop because repairs could not be completed at the plant.  Daddy and Francis had a lot fun telling stories to the local neighborhood residents about the "electric chair".  It was here and later at our shop that Daddy taught me to get under the dash and check the vibrator on the car radios.  If the vibrator was not buzzing, we checked the fuse, if the fuse was good, we replaced the vibrator.  The vibrator was a metal can with 4 prongs to plug into a socket.  All systems were 6 volts.  Later when 12 volts became the norm, the vibrators had 4 prongs and 3 prongs.  So we had to stock several types.  If the vibrator was buzzing, then we tried the OZ4 rectifier tube that was next to the vibrator.  Most of the early radios were in two sections.  The power supply with the vibrator and OZ4 was hung under the dash on the passenger side or bolted to the firewall.  The RF section or controls was mounted in the dash or under the dash in the center of the front seat area.  If the power supply checked out ok, we then took the cover off the RF section and put our hands on the tubes checking to see if they were warm, usually at this time we would find a cold tube.  Replacing the cold tube usually fixed the problem.  I used to laugh at guys that would bring their car in to have the radio fixed and would say to us that they would fix it themselves if they had the proper tools.  Most radios were Motorola.

LMYC Super Bowl Party

An Impromptu Super Bowl party was held at the club house.  A good time and fellowship was had by all.  Plans were made for the Mexico Triangle race on Saturday the 12th.  A few Pictures are below.

Day on the Bay

Yes, we did get out on the boat today.  Jake and I cruised the Laguna Madre and ship channel for a few hours.  We passed and visited with Jim and Joan of Wild Blue for a bit.

Sadly we saw many dead fish as the cold temperatures affected the marine life used to the warm waters.  We had water temperatures drop into the 40s and are still now just below 50dF.

Quite a bit of activity as the dredges and tugs pushing barges are out in force.

A good day temps up near 70....What a difference a day makes.

What a difference a day makes

What a difference a day makes.  Beautiful sunshine!!  We spent most of the day yesterday in our motor home in our garage.  I propped the huge door open about 6 foot and opened the back passage door.  That with the 3x3 vent at the rear of the garage and the North wind gave us enough ventilation to run the aquahot diesel heater.  We ran the inverter for computers and routers.  We moved most of our frozen food down the reefer in the motor home.  We expected the generator to come on, but the new batteries have great reserve so we never used it.  With the temperature around 50 in the house, we were comfortable in the motor home.  Seems like there are a lot of leaks around town with broken pipes and valves.  We lost water pressure this morning and now it is off completely.  I guess I will just have go play in the tug.

Winter Texan

Winter Texan: "Mama, it is time for our annual migration to South Padre Island.  Do you think we should upgrade our tow vehicle?

Mama: No.
Winter Texan:  Well Mama, how about us getting a new RV?

Mama: No absolutely NOT.  We have many more years of use from this perfectly good Travel trailer and Suzuki SUV.  Besides that we can spend the night anywhere.  We do not even have to go to a Wal-mart to camp.

The Winter Texans have descended upon South Texas en mass.  They fill our restaurants, stores, campgrounds, beaches, hotels, motels, and churches.  WE LOVE THEM!!  Because of the Winter Texans, we have some of the finest restaurants and other facilities that would not be profitable otherwise.  How ever you get here, just keep on coming down.
Thanks

The Rescue of an Osprey

This morning we planned to attend a seminar on boat maintenance at the Laguna Madre Yacht Club here in Port Isabel.  We arrived just before 10AM and took a seat next to Skip and Nancy Maggard.  Skip tells us that there is an Osprey caught on a sailboat mast just outside the club.  This is what I found when I went outside to see.

I snapped a picture with my Droid cellphone and posted it to Facebook trying to get it to Scarlet Colley.  Luckily I had her phone number and called her to see if she knew anyone who could try to rescue the bird.  She immediately sent out a request for someone to help.  In a short time, George Colley arrived and we started trying to figure a way to help the poor bird.  We could not tell from the ground, but as I zoomed in on the pictures later, I could see that he had one talon caught in a drilled hole in a  plate on top of the mast.

George located a ladder and a another good Samaritan named Ryan arrived.  The rescue begins.  The ladder is not long enough to reach from the deck of the boat to the top of the mast.

 So they moved it to the top of the cabin

Still not tall enough so upon suggestion from Jana Craft, they precariously put the bottom rung on the sailboat boom.  Ryan got about halfway up and I heard him say "I do not think I can do this.".

But with encouragement and urging from the gallery, he climbed up high enough to reach the Osprey.  Of course the Osprey was not really sure he wanted Ryan on that mast with him.

It took several minutes, but Ryan finally freed the bird, minus one talon.

The Osprey was so tired from his ordeal, that he just lay on the ground at first.  When Ryan was safely down from the mast, he gathered the bird up in his arms.  What a wonderful sight to see him down from the mast.  Ryan and George left with him, taking him to the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.  There is a Veterinarian there that has lots of experience with hurt animals.

 A smiling hero and grateful Osprey

The Picassa Web album of the rescue to located here.

Port of Brownsville, Texas

Walldog and Jake took a little boat ride yesterday before the front came through.  Actually we were still out before the front arrived, but that is another story.  First we went out to the jetties, as we heard on the marine vhf radio that a tug was bringing in a "dead ship".  That is a term used to signify a decommissioned ship that is headed into the Port of Brownsville to be scrapped out.  The salvage of no longer useful ships is a big business here.

Below is a picture of a neat little tug boat.  The "Free State" evidently does not have AIS.  (The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automated tracking system used on ships and by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) for identifying and locating Vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships and VTS stations. AIS information supplements marine radar, which continues to be the primary method of collision avoidance for water transport.)  So I do not know anymore information about it.  Note the Dual exhaust pipes that go up behind the pilot house.  Similar to 18 wheeler trucks.  During our boat trips, we like to take pictures of commercial vessels  MarineTraffic.com is a site that tracks ships with AIS and accepts our pictures of these vessels for their web site.

After turning around at the end of the Intercoastal....or beginning, we started back toward Port Isabel.  We made a detour into the shrimp basin where many of our shrimpers dock their boats.  Sitting prominently near the entrance is Seahunters Pride.

 
In need of some TLC.  Even so I am sure she is still someones pride.

Because we spent so much time puttering around sight seeing, we did not get back to Port Isabel before the front came through.  It was a fierce one, mostly dry, but with North winds near 40.  Our little tug just kept us dry and warm even though the waves were splashing over the pilot house.  Jake came inside and took refuge in the vee berth.  We turned into the channel that follows the ICW through Port Isabel and separates Long Island Village from Port Isabel.  The water was much rougher in that channel since the fetch was greater.  Fetch is the distance that the wind has to work on the surface of the water to create waves.  The greater the distance, the greater the wave.  Since we missed the opening of the swing bridge across the ICW and it would be another hour before we could get through to get to our house, we decided to duck into the dock at our friend Jim's house in Long Island Village.  Jim wrote a note about our visit on his blog, you can find it here: Any Port in a Storm.

Walldog, Willie and Jake.

LMYC Commodore's Ball 2011

The Commodore's Ball for the Laguna Madre Yacht Club was held last night at the Isle Grande on South Padre Island.  Everyone dressed in their finery and enjoyed a great dinner, dancing and fellowship.

Our regular camera lens is broken, but we took a few pictures from our cell phones.


The Hon. Carlos Cascos, Cameron County Judge, was our honored guest and installed the new Flag Officers.

This is probably the only time of the year that you will see most of us dressed in anything but shorts and sandals.

New Dinghy

We acquired a new dinghy for the Ranger 27 Tug.  It is the West Marine RU260 made by Zodiac.  We powered it with a 4 stroke 2.5 hp Suzuki.

We named it "Jake's Ferry"

Walldog, Willie and Jake

Pictures of Jake with Santa

Jake had his picture taken with Santa at the Island Dog Wash on South Padre Island.

Our friend Jerry aka Jw Wilson and his company donated the photo sessions to raise money for the Laguna Madre Humane Society which operates a no kill shelter here in Port Isabel.
Walldog, Willie and Jake

WilliesTug For Sale

Price Reduced to $19,995 firm.  This is a bargain for a great boat.
For Sale Details   SOLD

WilliesTug For Sale

Willie’s Tug 1997 Ranger R21 For Sale

$24,995.00 $19,995.00

We have bought a new Ranger R27 Tug.  We will take delivery in Seattle in May or June of 2011.  So it is with some regret that we offer for sale Willie’s Tug.  She is a 21 foot 1997 model in excellent shape.  There is nothing that we know of that does not work.  We made a modification to the original mast by shortening it 32 inches so that the Tug will fit in our boat house.  Now it has about 10 foot clearance from the gunnels.  At that time we changed out the mast head light and the anchor light to new LED fixtures.  We replaced the non-original cushions with new ones from the original factory patterns.  They were made by Kathy’s Upholstery of Arlington Washington.  She was recommended by the factory and did an excellent job.  We rewired the trailer and installed new LED lights all around.  We added an spare tire and bracket.  It is ready to travel anywhere.  Here is a list of the equipment and options that convey with the sale:

v  Hin Number:  RFB02772E797

v  JRC Color Radar 1800/Chart Plotter GPS with current Gulf of Mexico CMap chip

v  Autopilot Raymarine Sport Pilot ST600R with wired remote

v  Ritchie Compass

v  Lowrance X-25B Depth Fish Finder

v  VHF Marine Radio ICOM IC-M502

v  2 Shakespeare VHF Marine Antennas, one top of mast, one on Pilot House roof

v  Yanmar 18hp Diesel, you will not believe how little fuel this uses.

v  6 Blue Fenders and lines

v  Extra one gallon Diesel container

v  3 Standard Life Jackets

v  Spare Parts, First Aid Kit, Flares and other emergency items

v  All manuals

v  Shortened mast and boom with guys and lines

v  Cockpit shade cover

v  Bruce Anchor

v  EZ Loader Trailer with new spare tire and bracket

v  Red Cockpit Lights

v  Red and White Pilot House lnterior Lights

v  Red Vee Berth Lights

v  Basic Porta-potty

v  Small 350 Inverter

v  30 Amp Shore Power Receptacle, No power cord available

v  Factory Folding Seat for Skipper and First Mate

Contact Herb Stark at 903-736-7591.  Pictures are located here: WilliesTug Pictures