October found us heading east once again with friends, Eulie and Bill Gustin. As a group, we are ‘proven’ travelling companions, having vacationed several times together at our cabin on Lake Kindiogami, Ontario. It was especially good to have them along this trip because Bill’s advice as a mechanical engineer was invaluable in the search. Stopping first at the Annapolis Boat Show, we boarded many boats to establish a yardstick for comparison. But the many beautiful sailboats there only strengthened appreciation for convenience and safety features aboard the Puffin.
The next day found us in Gloucester Point, scurrying out the dock anticipating a complete tour of the Puffin. Her strange, old-world beauty stopped us briefly, as we paused to gape from the dock with other tourists. Her gracious owners gave us the welcome aboard. It was an exciting moment! In the cockpit amid lovely teak carvings, greetings and introductions were exchanged. The host and hostess explained they would first give us a guided tour, and then allow us to poke around all we wished. They remained on deck, or nearby, for any questions. The Puffin’s below-deck plans, included in the brochure, had been the object of study and restudy, with the aid of a magnifying glass, for ten long months. Now that deck plan would come alive!
We descended the companionway, curved handrails on either side, into the 10’x18′ main salon. On port side book shelves and cabinets grace both ends of a curved settee. Cupboards and drawers on the starboard side suggest a dining area. On both sides are three large windows, each separated by two teak carvings of Dutch scenes. On the forward bulkhead are a small gas fireplace and the piano, which, when closed, is a desk. Looking aft, we could see daylight streaming through the leaded glass windows and door over the companionway. Breathtaking!
With two long corridors, one forward, one aft, there are both double and single berths accommodating thirteen people in seven staterooms. There are four heads; two with tubs, and one with stand up shower. The galley, 5’x8′, has sizable cupboard space, and countertops, a six burner gas range/oven, and a large refrigerator. More carvings and another lovely window grace ‘the Lady’s stateroom’, as it was designated on the blueprints. Almost every available inch is utilized with built-ins.
This tour was only the beginning. In all, there were a grueling six days of inspection, study and discussion. The responsibility of decision fell almost completely on Ken, of course, because knowing so little about it all, I could only rely in his recommendations. Details of living areas were easy to follow, in spite of the terminology. Some of the deck discussions regarding binnacles, boomkins, spreaders, depth finders, autopilots, etc., were more complicated for me.
But the day Ken disappeared down into the engine room, I decided to let go! Bill, of course was with him, and their heads were together for hours on end, and far into the night as we struggled with the pros and cons of whether to buy the Puffin.
I remember one night, especially, returning to Yorktown to the Duke of York Motel with all sorts of printed material regarding the boat: blueprints, marine surveys, wiring diagrams, plumbing diagrams, inventory lists, etc. We all sat reading and discussing until very late. It was somewhat reminiscent of times our family had attended Presbyterian Synod School at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where many nights were spent in study, discussion and prayer. We prayed a lot during this period, too.