Home Port: Horseshoe Bay, BC

Vessel Type: 2006 Meridian 381

Engine: twin 270hp Cummins diesels

Comments: She's (now) a 2006 Meridian 381. We had a 2004 similar model (pic above) but the Queen of Oak Bay took her out in Horseshoe Bay on June 30 this year.

She is LOA 40ft, twin 270hp Cummins diesels. Dink is a 320 Titan RIB with Merc 4x 9.9 on Seawise davits. We named the dink "Ferry Tail" in honour of the incident.

Her normal cruise is around 20-22 kn and she tops out at 27 kn, but we prefer cruising at hull speed of 8 kn unless we are crossing the Strait or something else big and boring. We consider the journey part of the cruise and are usually in no hurry to get there or back. At full cruise my total attention is focussed on the water ahead of me which means I get to have no fun.....

She is specifically equiped to go cruising for longer periods out. We carry a Honda 2000i for the occasional times we may want power but usually get by just fine on propane, butane and a 3kw inverter with golf cart batteries.

Kuredu sleeps 6 in two staterooms and hide-away in the salon. 300 gal diesel, 125 gal fresh water and 40 gal holding tank. We have cruised South to the San Juans for two weeks and as far up as Princess Louisa. We were on our way to Desolation and North for three weeks in July when the ferry took us out. Instead I spent three weeks in 'discussion' with ferry lawyers and assessors.

Planned (must do) cruises for me is up to Alaska with a picture of the boat rafted to an iceberg and to circumnavigate Vancouver Island. With some luck I will get time to do this still ...

Twin helm (bridge and inside) so we cruise year round and in any and all weather conditions. It is nice to be out and about in warm sunny weather but it's equally nice when it's all fogged in and rainy in a little cove with friends and a great wine. Or beer. Or tequila. Or... well, you get the point.