Beach cruiserr

There's little doubt in my mind that if I told my wife we were going to take a rowing and sailing trip through the San Juan Islands in an open 17-foot, 6-inch boat she would first look at me strangely, as usual, then just ask, "When do we leave?" She's that kind of gal. She competed in freestyle skiing and was on the Wide World of Sports. She's a jock. The only problem would be that I would have to do it. Now I need a boat, a good boat that looks salty but is modern enough to reward my hard fought physical efforts with efficient performance. This NorseBoat looks pretty good. It's a Chuck Paine design but I'll manage somehow. It is sexy looking with a sweet sheerline and a shapely bow profile. But the deal clincher is the 12-volt trolling motor snug in the deadwood area.

The NorseBoat is being built by Avalon House on Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia. The boat is a concept of Kevin Jeffrey, who had Chuck draw up the working plans. The promo material says the weight of the boat is 200 pounds, but that sounds quite optimistic to me. I'm going to need to carry a cooler, cooking equipment, ground tackle, porta-potty, a beach tent, boom tent, two sleeping bags, safety gear, navigational gear and charts, both dogs and clothes for the Northwest's ever changing climate. In the interest of saving weight I will restrict my choice of beverages to water and 151 proof rum. If I add up those weights and include the weight of the crew I get 580 pounds.

Looking at the drawings of the boat I find it hard to believe, even with glass and epoxy construction, that with battery, rig and oars it is going to weigh 200 pounds. Okay, the dogs have to stay home and I will definitely opt for the optional carbon fiber oars. I would believe that ready to go with crew you are looking at 700 pounds before you shove off. That's a lot to row even for two people. How many volts is that motor again?

But as luck would have it there is a nice light breeze blowing. Unfortunately it's a northerly. But here is where I can be confident that Chuckles Paine has given this boat a shape and a rig that will take it to weather in a dignified and efficient manner. The rig shows a tall gaff mainsail with a carbon mast and a curved gaff. The boom is on one side of the loose-footed main. This means that one tack will be favored unless you want to fuss around with the tack and clew of the mainsail. "Prepare to fuss around." If you are reaching and it's light you can get lots of additional horsepower with the optional screecher that's set off a short bowsprit. With both sails up I'd just bear off and alter my destination so I could lay it on that reach. My hands were sore anyway from just looking at the oars. Reaching along in the NorseBoat with the screecher up would be a blast. Just think how smug you could feel as you blow by the bigger cruising boats.

In typical Northwest summer's day fashion, the wind dies just before twilight and we are left in the middle of the channel battling a 3-knot flood tide. But rowing square to the current we make it into the rocky shoreline where the tide is minimal and the scenery is maximized. As we glide into the small harbor I look longingly at the picturesque bed and breakfast house on the rocks-I imagine meatloaf with mashed potatoes. But who needs a bed when you have been rowing for two and a half hours? We're lucky to find a vacant mooring at the state park nearby and I rig a tether so I can pull the boat off the beach and leave it on the hook for the night.

Well, you get the picture. It could be fun. It's not my idea of a good time. I'm spoiled. But all you have to do is look at the number of voyaging style kayaks sold today to understand that there is a market for this type of boat. If this type of adventure appeals to you I can think of no finer boat for the job than the NorseBoat. If you have no intention of camp-cruising but you are looking for a distinct and yare daysailer I would also recommend that you consider the NorseBoat.