Knut has another boat!

[barnacle5]

Knut Garshol arrived on friday and stayed the night swapping boating stories. he is really an interesting individual. before daylight he started inspecting the baboa 20 and decided to take her to miami . we rigged her for high speed interstate travel and hooked her up to his car and he split for florida admist swirling snowflakes trying to beat the sleet and snow out of Kentucky. here is a picture. barnacle bill

[attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

[Tim Diebert]

Excellent shot.....now we know what he looks like. Nice looking boat.

Thanks B5.

[Knut]

First of all, thanks to Bill and his wife for their great hospitality. After about 800 miles covered on Saturday from around Jacksonville and an extra hour fooling around the countryside in pitch dark trying to find Bill's hiding place, I got a warm welcome, food in my stomac and a chance to quickly look at the boat by torch-light. I met the Rottweiler that I knw about from the Forum (sitting in Scraps ready to sail), but I also met two other dogs (Dobbermans) that I did not know about. After proper introduction, they turned out to be nice and friendly. Besides the Balboa and Scraps, Bill also has a Nordica and a Victoria 18 + almost 10 motorbikes and one with a side-carriage. The sidecarriage he uses for either the Rottweiler or his wife (I am not quite sure which). I think I can say also, he is a very interesting character and it was a real pleasure to meet him.

After a good night's sleep, up before seven, a quick breakfast and a cup of black coffee it was time for readying the boat. At 25 degrees F and pitch dark apart from the lamp-light, the further boat inspection was cursory and the focus had to be on getting ready, since foul wheather was announced. Pictures taken, good wishes exchanged, good-byes said, the entourage left at about 9AM. A little snow in the air started already after 30 minutes driving (not supposed to happen until noon!) and when I got on the highway I75 it really started coming down. I soon passed the first car in the ditch and shortly after the pickup truck with a U-Haul hanger just in front of me started fish-tailing. The Gods were good to him and he regained control. The main problem the next hour or so were the hills (OK as long as I had traction, but it was on the limit) and secondly the traffic. There were too many driving as if there was no snow at all and my concern was to get involved in a pile-up when one of the super-optimists would spin out of control. Again, the Gods were good to us and it cleared up going South and the temperature went up to 32 and 33. I was through the woods, literally. Bill told me on the phone that he had to wait on the highway for about an hour later Saturday due to a multicar crash, but then I was gone South, fortunately.

I got to Jacksonville on Saturday after 4 hours of heavy rain around Atlanta and then onwards today to arrive in Miami at 2 PM and 80 F. Well worne out, but no breakdowns and everything in good shape. Only 2 cups of water inside the cabin after having driven another 4 hours in heavy rain today.

The boat and hanger fit my backyard as expected and it is now under tarp until I get the energy to start planning my next steps. Due to Christmas vacation and some work obligations this will be in January some time. 2200 miles in 2 days + an evening will be worth it when a little shape-up has been carried out. I am excited about the boat and eager to go and try it in the water. Sorry that I am bothering you guys with a "plastic" story this time, but it cannot be helped and I am sure you survive it.

[thebob]

Good to hear that you two hit it off.

Nice looking boat, but I don't envy the drive.

[barnacle5]

good news that you made it without much incidence. when i saw the snow coming down I was a little concerned about your trip. I was going to loan you a sleeping bag and a small heater just in case you were stranded somewhere but forgot it. very glad you didn't need them. to all on the board have a happy holiday season . Bill and Darethea ( Booger too)