ALL SYSTEMS
GO (ISH)
AFTER A LONG WINTER OF REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND SYSTEMS REPLACEMENT, A SUMMER CRUISE PUTS EVERYTHING TO A REAL-WORLD TEST.
BY RICHARD SOTO
IT’S AN EARLY OCTOBER MORNING AND WE’RE ON THE FERRY TO SEATTLE FROM OUR HOME ON WHIDBEY ISLAND. THE CROSSING IS CALM, ALMOST SERENE, THE MORNING SUN REFLECTING BRIGHTLY OFF RIPPLED SEAS — A PERFECT DAY TO GO BOAT SHOPPING. AT THE END OF LAST SUMMER’S BOATING SEASON, AND AFTER A DECADE OF DEDICATED OWNERSHIP, MY WIFE, GWEN, AND
Richard Soto
I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO SELL OUR 38-YEAR-OLD TRAWLER AND DOWNSIZE TO SOMETHING SMALLER, AND NEWER. LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT A 35-FOOT NORDHAVN COASTAL CRUISER BUT HAD CONCERNS ABOUT ITS COMPACT INTERIOR, SO NOW WE’RE LOOKING AT BIGGER BOATS,
Gwen Soto 32
WITH BIGGER PRICE TAGS.
SEAMAGAZINE.COM AUGUST 2018
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