posted 05-17-2008 03:49 AM ET (US)     

Although I’m the owner, a lot of people helped make this boat a reality for me. I’d like to say Thank you to all the wonderful people at Lake Union Sea Ray, in Seattle. Although ‘Sea Ray’ is in their name, they sell a whole lot of Boston Whalers. In fact, they’re consistently ranked in the top 10, for the number of Whalers sold each year. They have a Whaler showroom & just about every model to look at. Aside from my 305 Conquest, they also have a 345, a 285 & a couple of 255 Conquests. They have the 150 & 170 Montauks, a full line of Sports, Outrages, Dauntlessness - you name - it’s Whaler Heaven & I've crawled all over everyone of them! Over the past month, I’ve spent so much time there, that I’m not kidding when I tell you, that when they hired a new salesman, & for his first 10 days, he thought I was an employee. I was there, basically everyday - looking, talking, asking questions & finally buying. The cool thing is, everyone treated me wonderfully, no matter how much I was hanging around. Every salesperson & service member was kind, helpful & professional. It’s a great dealership & I can’t say enough good things about them. If anyone out there is considering purchasing a Boston Whaler (& lives in the Pacific NW ) definitely give Lake Union Sea Ray a call.

Specifically, I’d like to thank Bob Walker, the Sales Manager, Keith Walsh, my salesperson, & Steve Thorsen, who knew everything about Boston Whalers, & boats in general. Eric Olson is the Service Manager, & he, Patrick & Julia took great care of me & set my boat up just the way I wanted it (lots of ordering & even Next Day Air shipments of some things, just to make sure I‘d have what I wanted on time). Joe & Steve did the rigging, & when they finished, I was left with the impression that they could put just about anything on a boat successfully. Carrington & Scotty are the Technicians - Mitch, Reed & Scott take care of the boats & keep everything looking great. Thanks again to everyone at Lake Union Sea Ray - You made the whole process & my purchase very enjoyable!!

Below are some pictures. I plan to use The Gatsby mainly for fishing in Lake Washington & the Puget Sound, plus some cruising.

Cheers!
~CLK

PS - Thanks also to all of the great contributors here at CW. I’ve been lurking for awhile & have learned much. Specifically, I’ve already order different props for my boat & changed to AGM batteries. I asked Eric Olson, the Service Manager at the dealership, if he was familiar with the CW site, & like most things related to Whalers, he was.

And let me thank you,too,.......in advance,.......Thanks!

Cheers!
~CLK

PS - and Steve's last name is Thoreson, not Thorsen. It's Steve Thoreson, & he'll forget more stuff about boats, than I'll ever know ;-)

[More pictures via these links]

posted 05-17-2008 06:04 AM ET (US)         

2 days to go for my more humble 210 Outrage is delivered

posted 05-17-2008 06:51 AM ET (US)            

I love everything about your boat (especially the name and the graphics), except that she ain't in front of my house!

Calm seas, and christen her properly!

May I suggest a mini-keg of Heineken Light, and a reading of prepared-in-advance diverse sea-related well wishes. Fir example:

Sailor's Psalm
Psalm 107:23-31

Some went down to the sea in ships
and plied their trade in deep waters;
They beheld the works of the Lord
and his wonders in the deep.
Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose,
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to the heavens
and fell back to the depths;
their hearts melted because of their peril.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper
and quieted the waves of the sea.
Then were they glad because of the calm,
and he brought them to the harbour they were bound for.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy
and the wonders he does for his children.

posted 05-17-2008 10:47 AM ET (US)         

Perhaps it was the weather, or my 'Walter Mitty' imaginations of pursing big fish far out into the Big Blue, that put me into the 305 Conquest, but the 210 Outrage was my first choice & the boat which is burned into my mind, as the perfect fishing machine. Growing up (in the mid 1980's), I had a grilfriend whose father had a 18' Outrage, & since then, I always dreamed of owning one. In my mind, the Outrage was (& perhaps still is) the coolest Whaler.

Sal - Thanks for Congrats, the great suggestion & the Ode to top it off - much appreciated!

posted 05-17-2008 12:08 PM ET (US)            

Congrats on the new boat it's a beauty, I just feel for you at fill up time.

Safe boating,

posted 05-17-2008 04:27 PM ET (US)         

My new un used 2006 210 (all options other than trim tabs and freshwater, no engine) is not delivered for a few days yet, but I picked up the documentation pack today.

I already noticed on the boat there were a few things missing:

Dual battery boxes, cooler tie downs, trailer stern ties and transom plug, these are being sorted

But I’m not sure if anything else is missing in the document pack

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5990/210bagxa9.jpg

4 plugs I assume are for fish box drains and pump outs, small plug for live well drain, lanyard, 2 keys for fuel tank fill, steering oil fill and dual battery cable.

Keys are still with the boat and nav, sounder and chart doc’s still to be supplied, other papers seem present.

Anything else missing??

BTW I started at a M170 and ended at the 210. The 305 Conquest was too far, but proportionally the same jump for you

Regards
Steve

posted 05-18-2008 12:22 AM ET (US)         

Based on what I can recall, I can't think of anything else that would've been in the owners packet. But as I get older, my recollection seems to,.............

When you do take delivery & get a chance - post some pics. Also, do you plan to use it for fishing &/or recreational? In fresh water, salt or both?

posted 05-18-2008 02:19 AM ET (US)            

Glad to hear you had a positive experience with LUSR. We bought our 20 Dauntless just before LUSR took over the Western Washington sales for Whaler. This year, when we bought our C-Dory, I contacted LUSR to get us tickets for the Seattle Boat Show. All went well and I gave the salesman (who shall remain nameless) a list of options and my contact information. He never followed up, so we bought the boat from another dealer.

posted 05-19-2008 09:12 AM ET (US)         

Mainly recreational but with 10 rod holders and outriggers I guess I better try trolling, this was never an option in UK, but out here no problem.

Not many lakes in UAE :)so salt, will post pics

Good news is 95 gallons fill up is around USD150 here

posted 05-19-2008 11:30 AM ET (US)            

Congrats! She's a nice rig.

Is that a Delta Lewmar anchor I see on the bow? I just purchased a new one yesterday for my Conquest. I like the "self deploying" concept. I always had to go up to the bow pulpit, pull some chain out and drop the anchor out about a foot before I could use the windlass to drop anchor.

I am curious to see how the Delta will work.

Brian

posted 05-20-2008 08:45 PM ET (US)         

Brian: To be honest, I really don't know what type of anchor is on the boat. I did try it out & it worked great. I didn't need to do anything manuel, except unclip the saftey caliper from the shank chain. The anchor can be deployed from a switch on the helm dash, or by a handheld remote control, in the anchor locker. If I come to find out that it is a Delta Lewmar - I'll let you know. The anchor, like many other things on the boat are still new to me. Hopefully, overtime, I'll become more familar with most everything. Thanks again!

posted 05-24-2008 09:48 PM ET (US)            

Have a blast,

posted 05-26-2008 12:48 PM ET (US)         

Warren: Thanks. I've read a lot of your old postings, & hope you're still going 'everywhere' in your Montauk. I've seen the pictures too - great boat!