Part 4 of 4: The Launch of Our Shantyboat

After months of hard work, we get HIDEAWAY wet…

by Chelcie Liu

HIDEAWAY was launched at Port Townsend’s Boat Haven ramp the afternoon of August 16, 2024. The launching went smoothly, and the following pictures show some of the activity. The very happy first picture, showing Kathy and me during the christening ceremony, was taken by our friend Ann Owsley, who also shot some of the “underway” photos.

As the boat was being launched, I was happy to see that the water level was well below the two transom-mounted cockpit drain holes when the stern started to float.

You can see immediately, with HIDEAWAY afloat, that the underwater shape is “real boat,” not just a flat-bottomed houseboat hull.

Here are a few other photos showing HIDEAWAY as Kees, I and a few others took her slowly out of the harbor for a mini sea trial. I plan to get a series of photos showing her moving at different speeds through the water. Based on our experience with the prototype long-shaft motor, the production motor we receive will be a 5-inch longer extra-long-shaft ION 6 motor with an anti-cavitation plate.

Oh, Happy Day!

…And here is HIDEAWAY in her slip after the first sea trial, showing eight 100-watt solar panels on the cabintop.

And finally, for now, here are some interior photos. To starboard (stern to bow) is the galley, then a single berth, followed by helm with hydraulic steering. To port (bow to stern), a dinette that converts into single berth, followed by cabinet and a head with sink (not shown in detail since some work remained in the head area).

Below is the helm, forward on the starboard side, where there’s a clear view in all directions due to the many cabin windows.

Following initial launch and HIDEAWAY’s appearance during the annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, the boat recently returned to Kees’ shop for final tweaks, including installation of a sink in the head, addition of a rudder to help improve steerage, and a few other details.

We’ll post a brief follow-up story in coming weeks, to share more cabin-interior photos and final additions made to our latest project, HIDEAWAY.

Will this be our last boat, or will the Next-Boat Obsession once again take hold? Only time will tell, but for now we’re delighted with our new shantyboat and eager to cruise her next summer. So this time we might, just might, have found a cure for our Next-Boat addiction.