I saw those fires in the news and am glad you were warned in time and able to take quick and appropriate action. It almost sounds like one of those survival group-building exercises where you have a few minutes to decide on what to take for the greatest chance of survival. In my mind, you chose wisely as the boat does provide portable shelter and one more option to escape the fire if a suitable body of water is at hand. Besides, it gives you a way to have another boating adventure as a distraction from the traumatic event. I pray you get back home to find everything is as you left it.
Thanks Scott. We returned yesterday afternoon after eight days and our neighborhood was saved by over 2700 personnel and the now reassuring sound of the firefighting aircraft can still be heard overhead.
We trailered our first boat, a Columbia 26 that had taken us to Mexico, through the Canal, to Florida and back to Baja for many years, up to a friend's property near Alpine in San Diego County the summer before the Cedar fire of 2003. Never imagined we'd lose our sailboat in a wildfire but we did!
Jonathan, what a gut-renching story! I was moved by the terror of it, and by the reassurance (& basic shelter) your boat is providing. May it turn out well for you both.
Jonathan on a side note - your HONDA, how do you like it as a tow vehicle? You have the 3.5 that I have in my Pilot I think. I can't stand the steering in my Pilot (stiff and 1.4 times the movement needed in turns compaired to the standard car) and I'd like to go test drive the Ridgeline to see if it is the same or better. But you tow more than twice what I do... how is it at highway speeds up steep hills? Does it hold it's own or do you become a truck and move into the right lane due to slowly loosing speed? Glad all was well for you when you returned home.
Hi Rob. I’ve actually been very pleased with the Ridgeline as a tow vehicle. We’ve towed the Townsend Tern over 15,000 miles so far and the Honda hasn’t complained. It has plenty of power to handle the steep mountain grades we encounter in the West and the ride is extremely comfortable. I bought the “Black Edition “ which has the tow package as standard equipment so there is additional cooling for the transmission, etc. Mine is a 2020 so I can’t vouch for the newer versions.
Good Info thanks. We wanted the older model for more interier size and went with the "touring" model for the two package with Trans radiator as well. Do you have the ability to turn off your ECO mode? We don't - I don't like only using four of six cylenders. But it is a Honda engine so if there could likely be issues... there likely will not.
Yes, the eco mode has a button on the dash. It actually changes the “mapping” but still uses all 6 cylinders. Best to tow with it off unless you’re on one of those long, flat roads that disappear into the horizon. New adventures await!
I hope I hope I hope you return home after all this to find everything intact and OK. So happy for you that you grabbed your boat!
Thoughts and prayers for you.
Glad all three of you are ok.
Those boats become people, don't they. Hope your house, cickle and Porsche end up ok.
What model and make is Betsy
She has a big smile on her face now! Thanks.
Same question.. Good looking vessel!
I saw those fires in the news and am glad you were warned in time and able to take quick and appropriate action. It almost sounds like one of those survival group-building exercises where you have a few minutes to decide on what to take for the greatest chance of survival. In my mind, you chose wisely as the boat does provide portable shelter and one more option to escape the fire if a suitable body of water is at hand. Besides, it gives you a way to have another boating adventure as a distraction from the traumatic event. I pray you get back home to find everything is as you left it.
Thanks Scott. We returned yesterday afternoon after eight days and our neighborhood was saved by over 2700 personnel and the now reassuring sound of the firefighting aircraft can still be heard overhead.
We trailered our first boat, a Columbia 26 that had taken us to Mexico, through the Canal, to Florida and back to Baja for many years, up to a friend's property near Alpine in San Diego County the summer before the Cedar fire of 2003. Never imagined we'd lose our sailboat in a wildfire but we did!
So sad. Still watching the reports and smoke fill the distant sky.
Jonathan, what a gut-renching story! I was moved by the terror of it, and by the reassurance (& basic shelter) your boat is providing. May it turn out well for you both.
So glad you both made it out OK with your boat and I hope the fire bypasses your homestead. Now for a completely different kind of cruising...
Jonathan on a side note - your HONDA, how do you like it as a tow vehicle? You have the 3.5 that I have in my Pilot I think. I can't stand the steering in my Pilot (stiff and 1.4 times the movement needed in turns compaired to the standard car) and I'd like to go test drive the Ridgeline to see if it is the same or better. But you tow more than twice what I do... how is it at highway speeds up steep hills? Does it hold it's own or do you become a truck and move into the right lane due to slowly loosing speed? Glad all was well for you when you returned home.
Hi Rob. I’ve actually been very pleased with the Ridgeline as a tow vehicle. We’ve towed the Townsend Tern over 15,000 miles so far and the Honda hasn’t complained. It has plenty of power to handle the steep mountain grades we encounter in the West and the ride is extremely comfortable. I bought the “Black Edition “ which has the tow package as standard equipment so there is additional cooling for the transmission, etc. Mine is a 2020 so I can’t vouch for the newer versions.
Good Info thanks. We wanted the older model for more interier size and went with the "touring" model for the two package with Trans radiator as well. Do you have the ability to turn off your ECO mode? We don't - I don't like only using four of six cylenders. But it is a Honda engine so if there could likely be issues... there likely will not.
Thanks - stay well you two
Yes, the eco mode has a button on the dash. It actually changes the “mapping” but still uses all 6 cylinders. Best to tow with it off unless you’re on one of those long, flat roads that disappear into the horizon. New adventures await!