Sailing
This is Shilshol Marina in Seattle. This was our home for 10 years when we lived aboard "Isle of Wight". This picture looks over the breakwater, across Puget Sound to the Coast Range. Shilshole is the largest marina north of California, and holds about 1000 boats.
Living Aboard
Here is a nice shot of "Isle of Wight", the Cal Cruising 36 Ann and I lived on for nearly 10 years. Living aboard had been our dream when we were first married, but we got talked out of it ("Be sensible!", said the parents.) We were in our mid 30's before we finally just said, "Let's do it!" It took us a week to sell everything we owned and move aboard. All I can say is, if you have a dream, live it.
Pelicans
The San Francisco Bay Pelican is one of my favorite boats. I don't have one any more, but when we moved off of Isle of Wight, I got one and named it "Wonderful Bird", after the limerick:
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His beak can hold more than his belly can,
He can hold in his beak,
Enough food for a week!
I'm damned if I know how the hell he can!
The Pelican is the biggest small boat I know, and the most seaworthy. I'd like to own another one some day.
Standard 12' Pelican "Wonderful Bird"
This boat was never mine. In fact, I have never personally seen this model. It is a less common 15' Pelican called a "Great Pelican". If I ever found one, I think my bank account would take an immediate hit! I love the picture so much I had to include it.
Our first real keel sailboat was a Kenner Kittiwake we owned in Portland back in the 1960's. We have no computer or color pictures of her from that time, but she is presently owned by our son Brent, and I got a good page worth of pictures of her as she is at present.
May 2004... After years ashore, I am now back on the water. Here are some pictures of our new boat, Dandy Lion: