Posted by Bill Kimley
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Dear Diesel Duck friends!
The Mystery Duck is us in the ICW leaving Ft. Lauderdale on the way to
Miami. Where ever we are stopping, pleasure boaters or commercial
boaters alike, Navy, or Coast Guard, lock masters, or bridge tenders are voicing
enthusiastically their admiration to the Diesel Duck. It is a long way
from Toronto on lake Ontario to Nassau in the Bahamas, where we are currently.
The Duck is an eye catching boat. Bridge tenders said on the VHF "Have
a good trip Diesel Duck, you are the best looking boat I had in months."
In Norforlk, Home Defense came rushing toward us (we were thinking they
want to chase us away from the Navy stuff), but they only came very close by to
tell us that the Duck is the best boat they have seen, and they see tons of
boats.
But now our honest opinion, after being able to test the DD
throughout on lake Ontario, the ICW (Intra Coastal Waterway), offshore
including Cape Fear and crossing the Gulf stream, the Diesel Duck exceeds our
expectations. It is a wonderful, seagoing, long distance boat. We can
power into a fair headwind without discomfort. She doesn't buck or roll.
The steady rig does a beautiful job. She is roomy and a fine, comfortable
boat to live aboard. You be the judge yourself. Look at the mystery boat picture. We were
doing just over 6 knots there with no wake. In the waterways we were doing
generally between 6 to 7 kt to stay with the crowd and in the limit of
the "no wake" zones. On open water we go up to 8 kt. When we are in a
hurry, we go flat out 9-1/4 kt. She will do 9-1/2 kt, but with all the
cruising stuff aboard now, just over 9 kt is all she does. We burn an average of
7 liter/hr. When the wind is right and the sails are up, it is less fuel.
When you are in a hurry, it costs you! The DD is a wonderful boat for
the "great loop." Bridge clearance and depth clearance is just perfect. A
perfect performer for "no wake" zones. Bridge tenders will be eager to
open up for you and lock masters will have always a place for you in the
looks. I presume Juergen on "Nomad" can tell you more of the seagoing quality.
We can say the duck is a good course tracking boat and has not let us down.
Last year, when the renewal of our web space came up for our web page,
we let go and saved the dollars. Marlene and I concentrated our efforts on
finishing the duck, moving on board, and preparing for the trip. We did
not want to be stuck for another winter in Canada. Our vision were palm
trees, turquoise water and white sand beaches. A Bahamas fix was badly needed
after six years of finishing the Diesel Duck. We will be sending some
pictures to Bill when we have the chance. In the meantime, we are
wishing all the Diesel Duck friends a prosperous New Year and hope to see more
gorgeous Diesel Ducks cruising the world.
Marlene & Benno
Diesel Duck, Toronto, Canada
marlene.klopfer@hotmail.com
