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Captain
Posts: 142
Home Port: Seattle, WA
IP Logged | As many of you know, I recently (less than two months ago) bought a 2006 411. We keep it on Lake Washington in Kirkland and have taken the boat out for a few short cruises on the lake. This weekend, we did our first overnight trip...through the locks and into Puget Sound, over to Poulsbo for two nights with our (also new to us) Yacht Club.
The boat is absolutely positively incredible! Everything about her was just so...comfortable. Making eggs for breakfast was easy. Getting both kids to go to sleep was easy (ok, easier). The fridge holds way more food than I originally thought it would. The boat kept us toasty warm and everything worked great.
For those of you in the Seattle area, you know that the weather this past weekend was just incredible. Mid to upper 50's and clear blue sky, which is very rare for February (usually it rains all month). I drove from down below the whole way over (except for the locks and docking). On the way back, I drove from the bridge with my son sitting next to me the whole way.
We have the eartec radios for docking and locking and the were very handy in the locks. We're starting to get our process down for getting fenders and lines ready for locking and docking.
My goal is to use the thrusters as little as possible--I almost backed into my slip without touching them...but decided to get a little more distance from my neighbor when I was about half way in.
Anyway, just wanted to report on how much we love our Meridian...probably not a big surprise.  |
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Admiral
Posts: 342
Home Port: San Diego
IP Logged | Great boat, good luck
Jordan |
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Admiral
Posts: 444
Home Port: Montreal, Canada
IP Logged | Brian, I'm sure you'll have many more overnighters like that one. Using the thrusters as little as possible is a very good idea - the best way not to loose your touch. We just bought Eartec radios at the Miami boat show but have not used them yet. When we go through the Rideau canal system (Ottawa to Kingston), there are 47 locks; the radios will come in handy.
Continue to enjoy your 411. |
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Deck Hand
Posts: 28
Home Port: Lake Lewisville, TX
IP Logged | There is something very comforting about utilizing your vessel for an overnight stay. Waking up on your favorite toy can't be described. I am already planning my next "overnighter" while I sit in my office and wonder " how can I get out of here and on the boat?"
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Admiral
Posts: 1207
Home Port: Vancouver, BC
IP Logged | The past weekend was amazing for boating - we spent it on board in Plumper Cove also. Glad you had a good one. |
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Admiral
Posts: 707
Home Port: Live in NJ. Boat in Connecticut & Rhode Island
IP Logged | Congratulations on the first of what will be many memorable and enjoyable experiences. My first season I also intentionally avoided using the thrusters. It did allow me to become better at handling the boat but then the more I thought about it, I had these two very valuable docking assist devices that I wasn't taking advantage of. So in our second season I learned how to utilize the thrusters to complement the engines and transmissions. It also allowed me to learn the limitations of the thrusters on the 411 hull when wind and/or currents (especially wind) are involved. WIth the relatively flat deadrise on our boat and the short keel, it doesn't take much breeze to blow you around and get you into trouble quickly. In wind over 15mph across the bow, the thruster is ineffective. Good luck and keep practicing! |
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Trip Report: First overnighter in our 411!
