Our "Destiny"
Destiny or fate; a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the cosmos.
How appropriate that we have chosen "Destiny" as the name of our new Helmsman PH38 Trawler Yacht. Maureen and I so believe in the statement above. We first discovered the Helmsman line of yachts a number of years ago while on a cruise to the Gulf Islands off the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Sea Magazine that month had run a review of the Mariner 37 which, has since been rebranded as the Helmsman PH38. The article was intriguing and very interesting. The following January, we came upon the Helmsman PH38 at the Seattle Boat Show, it was as if Fate had brought us together.
We spent over an hour speaking with Scott Helker, President and Owner of Waterline Boats as well as Roger Drill, salesman at Waterline Boats. We departed feeling, this could be the one. We arranged to meet once again with Roger and Scott the following weekend. A sea trial on Lake Washington was in order. We prayed for strong winds to build a nice wind chop to assist in determining the handling characteristics of the Helmsman. Saturday arrived, our wish came true. South winds blowing at 20+. With Roger aboard, we took the Helmsman out across Lake Union, through the University Cut and out onto Lake Washington. We crossed under the 520 bridge and were immediately hit with two to three foot wind chop.
We put the Helmsman through its paces. Running wide open into the chop; no pounding. Running with a beam sea; very little roll. Running with the chop on the stern; no sliding down the waves. Then it was back under the 520 bridge where the water was flat. We continued putting her through all types of test. Running tight circles. Going astern for 150 yards to see how she tracked. Once we felt the boat proved herself, it was back to Waterline.
On our way back through the University Cut, she began to wander. It became more and more difficult to keep her on a straight track. As I was at the helm, Maureen and Roger joked that it must be my lousy Helmsmanship..... Roger decided to give it a go. He too found it difficult keeping her on track.
Oh, not a good sign when buying a new boat.... I came to the conclusion that the hydraulic steering must have an air bubble in. Roger agreed. Back at the dock, Roger and Scott discussed the situation. After Maureen and I departed, Scott checked the fluid and sure enough, an air bubble had made its way through the system. A quart of fluid later and all was once again good.
We made the decision that before we could go any further, another sea trial was in order. This one proved much better as the boat now tracked straight! Now for the fun part. Negotiating the deal. After going back and forth for two weeks, a deal was struck. We had ourselves a new Helmsman PH38. But...... only after another sea trial on Lake Washington. We wanted to test all systems at this time. The upper helm was great. We could not have asked for more. We returned to the docks to sign the paperwork and hand over a check.....
She would be known as "Destiny" since we believe we have reached our destination when it comes to our "Retirement" boat.
Currently she is moored at Stimsons Marina on the Ship Canal in Ballard Washington.
How appropriate that we have chosen "Destiny" as the name of our new Helmsman PH38 Trawler Yacht. Maureen and I so believe in the statement above. We first discovered the Helmsman line of yachts a number of years ago while on a cruise to the Gulf Islands off the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Sea Magazine that month had run a review of the Mariner 37 which, has since been rebranded as the Helmsman PH38. The article was intriguing and very interesting. The following January, we came upon the Helmsman PH38 at the Seattle Boat Show, it was as if Fate had brought us together.
We spent over an hour speaking with Scott Helker, President and Owner of Waterline Boats as well as Roger Drill, salesman at Waterline Boats. We departed feeling, this could be the one. We arranged to meet once again with Roger and Scott the following weekend. A sea trial on Lake Washington was in order. We prayed for strong winds to build a nice wind chop to assist in determining the handling characteristics of the Helmsman. Saturday arrived, our wish came true. South winds blowing at 20+. With Roger aboard, we took the Helmsman out across Lake Union, through the University Cut and out onto Lake Washington. We crossed under the 520 bridge and were immediately hit with two to three foot wind chop.
We put the Helmsman through its paces. Running wide open into the chop; no pounding. Running with a beam sea; very little roll. Running with the chop on the stern; no sliding down the waves. Then it was back under the 520 bridge where the water was flat. We continued putting her through all types of test. Running tight circles. Going astern for 150 yards to see how she tracked. Once we felt the boat proved herself, it was back to Waterline.
On our way back through the University Cut, she began to wander. It became more and more difficult to keep her on a straight track. As I was at the helm, Maureen and Roger joked that it must be my lousy Helmsmanship..... Roger decided to give it a go. He too found it difficult keeping her on track.
Oh, not a good sign when buying a new boat.... I came to the conclusion that the hydraulic steering must have an air bubble in. Roger agreed. Back at the dock, Roger and Scott discussed the situation. After Maureen and I departed, Scott checked the fluid and sure enough, an air bubble had made its way through the system. A quart of fluid later and all was once again good.
We made the decision that before we could go any further, another sea trial was in order. This one proved much better as the boat now tracked straight! Now for the fun part. Negotiating the deal. After going back and forth for two weeks, a deal was struck. We had ourselves a new Helmsman PH38. But...... only after another sea trial on Lake Washington. We wanted to test all systems at this time. The upper helm was great. We could not have asked for more. We returned to the docks to sign the paperwork and hand over a check.....
She would be known as "Destiny" since we believe we have reached our destination when it comes to our "Retirement" boat.
Currently she is moored at Stimsons Marina on the Ship Canal in Ballard Washington.
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