DaveH6
2022 Lake Travis Christmas boat light parade
We won 1st place in our boat type category. Led lights and smoke generator powered by 2000 watt portable generator. My son and his family did the decorating and he did the driving while I was a spotter hanging my head out of the port sliding window. Awards ceremony and post parade party held at Captain Pete’s floating restaurant. I continue to receive much praise for my boat’s appearance. This is a testimonial to Tom Lathrop’s design skills.
My community’s boat ramp faces out on a large expanse of the lake. Long fetch to build waves and much exposure to boat wakes. Launching from my trailer on Saturday for the parade, we had a 10-15 mph cross wind. I had great difficulty (especially with Christmas decoration sail area) getting the boat alongside a floating dock to pickup passengers. After forty years of very competent boat handling of my 6’ draft 17,000 lb sailboat, I continue to have great difficultly getting the hang of a lightweight shallow draft powerboat with much sail area. When docking with any wind or wave chop, she is determined to drift where she wants to go.
Purists would tell me to learn how to properly use spring lines etc. but with my wife’s immobility from back issues it a one man show docking the boat. My mobility is not so great either thus it’s unrealistic to believe that while in a cabin at the helm I can drive the boat and get dock lines attached before the bow drifts off. Springing off a leeward dock requires a dedicated line handler.
Swallowing my pride, I have purchased a Lewmar 140tt bow thruster and now am fiddling around to determine best positioning of it. Fellow Bluejacket boat builder Egbert installed this model thruster and is my inspiration for now doing the same.
2022 Lake Travis Christmas boat light parade
We won 1st place in our boat type category. Led lights and smoke generator powered by 2000 watt portable generator. My son and his family did the decorating and he did the driving while I was a spotter hanging my head out of the port sliding window. Awards ceremony and post parade party held at Captain Pete’s floating restaurant. I continue to receive much praise for my boat’s appearance. This is a testimonial to Tom Lathrop’s design skills.
My community’s boat ramp faces out on a large expanse of the lake. Long fetch to build waves and much exposure to boat wakes. Launching from my trailer on Saturday for the parade, we had a 10-15 mph cross wind. I had great difficulty (especially with Christmas decoration sail area) getting the boat alongside a floating dock to pickup passengers. After forty years of very competent boat handling of my 6’ draft 17,000 lb sailboat, I continue to have great difficultly getting the hang of a lightweight shallow draft powerboat with much sail area. When docking with any wind or wave chop, she is determined to drift where she wants to go.
Purists would tell me to learn how to properly use spring lines etc. but with my wife’s immobility from back issues it a one man show docking the boat. My mobility is not so great either thus it’s unrealistic to believe that while in a cabin at the helm I can drive the boat and get dock lines attached before the bow drifts off. Springing off a leeward dock requires a dedicated line handler.
Swallowing my pride, I have purchased a Lewmar 140tt bow thruster and now am fiddling around to determine best positioning of it. Fellow Bluejacket boat builder Egbert installed this model thruster and is my inspiration for now doing the same.