Skagit 31 Launch Today

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

WOW! After 23 years, I finally launched my 1959 Skagit 31 Saratogan. Been a stessful couple of days...working 12 and 14 hours a day. It all came together today with the launch. My new friend Jeremiah helped me load the boat on the trailer and he towed it with his truck to the marina...about 5 miles.

Got her in the water and a bit shocked at how low she sits. Weighs a bit more than I expected....11000 pounds. Spent an hour checking the propeller shaft alignment and then finally under way.

Steve Pierce took some of the launch party on his boat and shot a bunch of pictures. First stop fuel dock for 60 gallons fuel.

Then headed out in the bay for some sea trials. The boat is VERY smooth and also surprisingly quiet. Took it up to about 25 knots and it was getting hard to steer and a little squirrely, so I slowed down.

Tried the one engine test and was shocked that it will plane on one engine. Didn't have a GPS, but guessing 17 knots on one engine.

Got a few issues to deal with...she is a bit overweight in the stern and a candidate for hydraulic steering.

All things considered she is a beautiful boat and everyone has to come down and see what it is.

As launch date approached, I was getting nervous about how good a boat this actualy is. Purchasing the boat many years ago and putting thousands of hours and tens of thousands of dollars into it, a boat that I though was "cool" as a kid! I was 11 years old! What did I know?

More pics later....

I'm pooped!

Tim McSkagit

[Lootas1]

Oh, yah! Now that's a BOAT!!! Congratulations on a magnificant yacht! Sounds like she will be able to hold her own against any Skagit out there.
Jerry

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Wow...

Congratulations on the launch, Tim. The big 31 is spectacular to look at, but as you know too well, the real beauty is in all of the largely-invisible things you did to make her a feat of engineering...not just a pretty face!

Great to learn that she'll plane on one engine--quite a bonus.

Can't wait to see in-the-water photos...and come up to shoot some of my own images, including a lot of boat-to-boat running shots.

- Marty

[TheBronze]

Oh my. She is GORGEOUS! Well done!

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

In the water pics

Sound good Marty, anytime.....
Tim

Congratulations on the launch, Tim. The big 31 is spectacular to look at, but as you know too well, the real beauty is in all of the largely-invisible things you did to make her a feat of engineering...not just a pretty face!

Great to learn that she'll plane on one engine--quite a bonus.

Can't wait to see in-the-water photos...and come up to shoot some of my own images, including a lot of boat-to-boat running shots.

- Marty

[Sammamish1]

Absolutely Beautiful !

[Mark_Denis]

Wow, she's a beauty Tim! :cool1:

[mikekronick]

Tim.
Can't be said enough, absolutely beautiful!!! You've set the benchmark. Congratulations. You deserve a nap.

[Skagitguy]

Tim,Congratulations!!!!!!! That is one very nice boat ! The picture showing her in the water could blow a person mind the first time they see her. I bet you did not sleep after putting her in the water ? What's her name ? She looks like she is about 50 feet long. I bet those ferry captain's in the San Juan's will slow down to take a good look at her being they have not seen anything like her up there or anywhere else. Best,Chuck

[STOREBRO36]

Tim in the water

Tim, I think you were doing at least 30 knots.

The first photo is Tim running away, and I was going at least 22 knts. He let me catch up. Many more photos to post.

Oh yea, nice rumble Tim! Steve

[skagit 25]

Wow, wow, wow and wow

[Karl]

Fantastic,

Your finished product is what all of us lay awake at night dreaming for our own boats.

Congratulations!

Karl

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

Thanks for all the Kudos guys!

Thanks for all the positive input guys.!

Took the boat over to Jones Island about 1pm today. Sunny and warm. Sorted out a few issues (the throttles), set the idle speed up about 50 revs which eliminated the neutral gear clatter and generally cleaned up years of saw dust and parts and tools. Beautiful afternoon out there...I needed a day off!

Boat feels heavy and is very soft riding. Went over a wake from a commercial fish boat that was steaming along at a good clip. Hardly felt his wake and no spray on the windows.

As I was pulling into my slip which is right next to the ferry slip in Friday Harbor, the captain of the Elwha came out of the wheel house and gave me a thumbs up! Felt pretty good!

Not only is it great to have the Saratogan floating, but it's great to be back on the water again. Dry spell after selling my Glasply 23 tow boat about a year and a half ago.

Thanks for the pics Steve! Look forward to more..

Tim

[Tim_Mattson]

McSkagit,
I`m speechless as both thumbs are in the fully upright and locked position.
Does your face hurt from smiling yet?
That is called raising the "High Bar"!:HandHorn1:
TimM

[Skagitguy]

Thanks for all the positive input guys.!

As I was pulling into my slip which is right next to the ferry slip in Friday Harbor, the captain of the Elwha came out of the wheel house and gave me a thumbs up! Felt pretty good!

Tim

Tim, I told you those ferry captain's would like her. They might even blow their horn at you when you are out and about in the islands. I had my wife come down to my office to look at her. Sheila love's it. Chuck