After months of searching, I've put a down payment on the ideal boat. Fourteen feet in length, this open boat can pull! It has two rowing stations, a small locker up forward for keeping items dry, a standing lug rig for sailing, easy to raise and lower while under way and a stainless steel strip to protect the hull when beaching her. She is large enough for the whole family and seaworthy even in giant waves, not that I intend to test this aspect. Modeled after a boat invented over a century ago by Ned Painter of Vancouver Island, and similar in design to a Whitehall, she has a long waterline and an untucked transom. She is beautiful. From her lap strake hull, to her copper rivets reenforcing teak trim, from teak floorboards to a spruce mast and spoon oars. Every detail is both practical and attractive.

Sailor's Log - Mar 2, 2002

I took possession of the boat in Sydney Harbor, B.C. The ship builder, Harold Aune, owner of White Hall Reproductions, brought her up from Victoria for her maiden launch. Four of us, Brad, myself, Harold and his cabin-boy carried her down the ramp and into a slip at the docks. The day was beautiful, a hot sun beating down and a light warm breeze. Later, went for a row and sail at night under the full moon. The current was strong out in the channel, but the boat traveled up stream admirably.

Sailor's Log - Mar 3, 2002

The family and I made our maiden voyage. Our destination turned out to be Posey Island, a lovely little islet due north of Pearl Island outside the mouth of Roche Harbor. The day was sunny, and our picnic on the grassy knoll ideal. Lita even found a fairy footprint and everyone had a turn at rowing. We will go back to this island and camp this summer.

Sailors Log - Mar 24, 2002

Took Lookfar over to Stuart Island towed behind Brad Gislason's 40' Lord Nelson, Equalibre. Leah and I walked the five miles out to the lighthouse, while the rest turned back at the school. Somebody should live in that lighthouse. What a view! The tide was right, so I rowed most of the way back to Roche Harbor. Brad checked my rowing speed on the knot meter. 4.2 knots! This open boat can pull!

Sailor's Log - April 20, 2002

Lookfar continues to attract the attention of harbor seals. Nearly every voyage at least one seal will follow her for some distance, curious perhaps at this large vessel with no churning propeller to propel her. Sailed to Turn Island from Friday Harbor with Uncle Ben, and then succeeded to ferry the entire family, plus Theresa and Ben from Turn Point Park to Turn Island. We spent the day there, with a picnic basket and wine. Lita and Genevieve were chased off a small jetty by the nesting geese.

Sailor's Log - May 27, 2002

"There be whales here, captain!" says Scotty (excerpt from Star Trek IV). In the most exciting adventure yet, Lookfar took the Gislason family straight through the middle of a pod of orca whales. "There we were, having a picnic lunch on a sunny day on the west side of the island, when off in the distance we saw boats. A lot of boats." said first mate and sometimes acting captain, Alicia Gislason. "Then planes flew overhead, even a helicopter. Only then did we see the fins. Large black ones skimming the surface toward our skiff. 'Hang on kids!' I shouted, not sure if the orcas might touch the boat and send us swimming." The orcas swam within arm's length on either side of the boat, blowing spray into the air as they passed. One orca swam directly beneath the boat, hugely visible under the waves. And to think, all those tourists on the boats paid big $$$ to see those whales through binoculars. Some of them looked green with envy (at least, I don't think that was sea-sickness).

Sailor's Log - June 2, 2002

Rowed just for the pleasure of rowing today. Made it to the mouth of Garrison Bay where English Camp resides, having started out from Roche Harbor. The mouth of Mosquito Pass is exhilarating in the current. It flows like a river, skimming through a very narrow channel, large rocks looming on one side and a sandy beach on the other. Lookfar was able to cut the distance across the eel grass bay near White Point. Other larger vessels must steer clear of this shallow bay.