Great looking boat! Two questions for you. What size chartplotter is that on the helm? And, where did you find the registration tag you have hanging off of the railing?
The chart plotter is 16 inches, told the largest you can fit on the console, and the registration is a dealers registration. We do not have the boat yet - it has to be delivered to us in Sidney BC and that is dependent on the weather
The chart plotter is 16 inches, told the largest you can fit on the console, and the registration is a dealers registration. We do not have the boat yet - it has to be delivered to us in Sidney BC and that is dependent on the weather
Welcome to the ‘hood. We are just around the corner from you with our Helmsman 38E hull #42. Learning systems as well as we took possession on October 1.
We are the second owners, first one decided to order a 43 after realizing that they could use a second stateroom. We met them when they took delivery of it and had done a lot of research on the 38. Came close to ordering a new one but the first mate was hung up on the lack of potential speed. I showed her how an 8 knot lifestyle was possible by running our previous boat at 8 knots over the last year. Takes a bit more planning in terms of wind, current and weather window forecasts. Very happy so far, will continue running throughout the winter and looking forward to our annual April cruise to the Broughtons.
Water Music has made it home to Van Isle marina in Sidney. She arrived just before noon but it took about an hour and a half to clear Canadian Customs. She is now safely tucked into her berth and we have had our first lunch on board. Though it was a grey, wet day on the island it was a bright day for us. Now for me to get to know and understand all the systems. Spent the afternoon crawling around inside. Great news - the diesel heater works.
Great info. Killing me though. My delivery is May of 2023. Womp.
Your post was very timely. Scott notified us today that our build (Hull No. 50), to be christened “Alba Bella”, has begun. We decided on a Helmsman 38E for most of the features you mentioned. We’re hoping for a late spring 2022 delivery. Just seeing a photo of the empty mold is exciting.
Our Shelter Bay Yacht Club did a cruise that included two days in Port Ludlow in 2019. We really enjoyed your hospitality. I hope we’ll be returning again soon.
Yes, Scott and Van let us know that our boat is out of the mold. So exciting times!
Congratulations for moving up to the next step. Do you know what and when in the next milestone?
Anyone planning to go with a ceramic coating on their boat?
I have been reading about using ceramic, and since the boat does not come waxed, it would seem to be the best time to go with ceramic if we plan to try it. I am looking at Rejex and Permanon.
Reading about the application process, it seems that it might not be that much work to apply the first coat.
Open to any advice or thoughts anyone has.[
I have heard pros and cons of ceramic coating. Was considering having it done in my last boat but timing just didn’t work out so we went old school with wax. It seems to me that longevity of ceramic coating does not qualify its expense, in my opinion.
Anyone planning to go with a ceramic coating on their boat?
I have been reading about using ceramic, and since the boat does not come waxed, it would seem to be the best time to go with ceramic if we plan to try it. I am looking at Rejex and Permanon.
Reading about the application process, it seems that it might not be that much work to apply the first coat.
Open to any advice or thoughts anyone has.
I think I am going to try it. With permanon, using distilled water and the concentrate, it looks like it is fairly easy to apply. Spray on, then rub right off with a microfiber towel. Applications last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, and it is easy to re-apply. May end up cheaper than paying someone else to apply wax twice a year.
Not currently planning to.
I have had my eye on it for a while. I like the concept. But it seems to be so very dependent on prep and application by a good technician, and so dependent on the specific product that it waves me away from it. Reviews on any specific products all seem to be cheerleader reviews. But from owners I see rave reports and reports with regret.
And I cannot get a good bead on what comes next. It doesn't last forever, so what's involved in a few years? Worse, I worry about what's involved in removal if it just doesn't look as good as advertised.
So count me as being curious but cautious.
You have my attention!
The art and cost is in getting the gel coat perfect prior to application. A lot of the reviews come from that prep not being done correctly. If you don’t get the wax completely removed, as it degrades the silica on top of it comes off.
Since the boat has no wax, just getting it washed with the right cleaning solution will be all that is necessary to get started.
It comes off via abraiding over time but there are solutions that will help it release