Here you will find tales of voyages past and present on our trusty Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, "Sockdolager," and our Bigfoot29 powerboat, "Raven," from Port Townsend, Washington, USA. In 2009 we sailed north from Puget Sound up the west coast of Vancouver Island to the Queen Charlotte Islands (now called Haida Gwaii.) In 2010 we went back to the west coast of Vancouver Island. In July 2011 we left the Northwest, sailed to Mexico, and in March 2012 we crossed the Pacific to French Polynesia, then on to the Cooks, Niue and Tonga. We spent several months in New Zealand, and in May 2013 loaded Sockdolager (and ourselves) on a container ship for San Francisco. In June and July 2013 we sailed north along the California, Oregon and Washington coasts, and in August we arrived home. In October 2016, Sockdolager found new owners, and we began cruising on Raven, a unique wooden 29' powerboat. In 2018 we cruised up to Glacier Bay, Alaska, and back. But in 2024 we had the chance to buy Sockdolager back (we missed her), so we sold Raven. We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures as much as we enjoy having them. (And there will be more.)



Saturday, April 17, 2010

Welcome Good Old Boat Readers!



We hope you enjoy this blog. More adventuring will begin in May. If you'd like to be on the updates list, email us at karenandjimsexcellentadventure followed by the symbol for "at" followed by gmail dot com.

An update... since March 2009 when Good Old Boat editors Karen Larson and Jerry Powlas came out to Port Townsend to do the interview and Minstrel photo shoot (not to mention all of us having an utter blast,) it will be obvious from reading this blog that of our two Danas, Minstrel was not the boat we sailed last summer. We sailed Sockdolager, and have decided to put our limited funds into upgrading her for more offshore voyaging. It makes no sense to keep two identical boats in good condition and pay all that dockage and insurance. You probably know where this is leading. But wait! There's a surprise! After agonizing for a long time over what's the best thing to do, I decided that letting Minstrel go would be best. Putting a boat in long-term storage is not a healthy option for the boat. So, I am in the process of selling her, but here's the surprise: three separate people asked me earlier this year, "If you ever decide to sell her, let us know." They were all aware of our double Dana dilemma. The first person on the list said yes when I offered her for sale. And that person is none other than Michael! If you read the GOB article, you know who he is. Minstrel will stay in the Puget Sound area as his home away from Alaska, and Jim and I will become co-owners of Sockdolager. Jim will tell you about all the upgrades, additions, gadgets and gilhickies that Sockdolager now sports.


Sockdolager and Minstrel hauled out together at Sea Marine in Port Townsend. The yard crew thought this was so cute they renamed our row "Lover's Lane."
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