Day One is Complete

We rode 53 miles today from Montgomery to Prairie Creek Campground. We saw lots of birds, fish, flowers and plants, and one LAAARGE alligator!

The best part was the limestone cliffs around Holy Ground Indian battlefield. I'm trying to add a photo, but our internet connection may not be good enough.

Tomorrow we'll go through the Henry lock and then stop at Six Mile Creek Park just south of Selma.

From Glenda:

History tells us that during the Creek War William Weatherford (Cheif Red Eagle) jumped from a bluff during the Battle of Holy Ground. This is great fun. Hot and tired right now and trying not to be ill.

From Abby:

Today me and Papa saw a spoonbilled gar jump out of the water. He was BIG!! Then we saw a dead gar. He was not big, but his teeth were!!!

Launch!

From Tom:
We drove to Montgomery Marina this afternoon and launched the Knot-So-Fast. We took a short cruise to the Montgomery City Dock and watched the big riverboat dock and unload her passengers. Then at dusk we motored back to the Marina where we'll sleep on the boat. Early tomorrow morning we head downstream, headed for Gulf Shores!!

From Glenda:
Sucess right away! Bunches of turtles came to greet us at our slip. Abby had a blast feeding them bread and watching them compete with the bream. Daisy is uncertain about the movement of the boat but has already curled up to sleep now. The Montgomery Dock is where tons of cotton went down the river starting in the early 1800's and elegant steamboats brought visitors from all over to the deep south. There seem to be some party people nearby which may disturb our sleep but maybe they won't stay up to late!

From Abby:
We saw nine turtles! When Daisy saw the turtles she wanted to jump in to get them! We are going to have so much fun!!!

Final Shakedown Run

Jay Gordon and I spent about 4 1/2 hours on the Knot-So-Fast today on Lay Lake. Everything went great, and we got some good video of some osprey on the nest with their chicks.

The boat listed a little to the starboard side, but that was due to the fuel tank being almost empty - it should sit level again with a full tank. I'm getting more comfortable in handling the boat and knowing what to expect in wind and currents.

We now have put a total of 112 miles on the boat, and have not depleted the original 10 gallons of gas, so although I can't say exactly what the mpg is, I know it's more than 11.2 mpg. If I have time tomorrow I will siphon what's left out of the tank and get a more accurate figure.

Here are a few pictures from today:

Interior tour

From Glenda:
3 more days before launch. Tom has tolerated my amenities. But a womans touch is always needed. I am very pleased with my color choices for the privacy curtains and given it is such a small space, I am pleased with the design for the head and the galley area. Thanks to our friends Marvin and Belinda our sleeping/lounge area is also well appointed :) The sink is a regular stainless steel bowl Tom adapted and plumbed. The countertop stands up when the head is needed and the privacy curtain is pulled. The bench seating lays out at night for sleeping. (for a rather slim person) We have added removeable screens to put up at night. Hopefully that will deter at least some of the bugs. Truthfully I think Abby and I will spend most of our time out on the cockpit looking for animals and historical sites.

7 Days and Counting

Launch day is one week away!

In the last two days we finished the wiring, mounted the head (porta-pottie) and privacy curtains, installed the cockpit hand rails, mounted a mirror (girls must always have a mirror), smoke detector, and put the name "Knot-So-Fast" on the transom.

The boat looks good in the driveway with all the lights on - I can't wait to see it in the water at night!

Glenda and I are beginning to realize what a small boat it is, though, as we take inventory of all the "stuff" we want to carry with us in order to be comfortable.

I'll be hard at work the next several days finishing up a punchlist of small items on the boat. Feel free to drop by and see it if you have time. My cell # is 516-0217.

Porthole windows and finishing touches

Jay Gordon helps with painting the decks.

Yesterday, Jay Gordon, our Small Group Pastor, came to help with painting the decks of the Knot-So-Fast. We fitted the handrails which will be mounted on top of the cabin to hold to while you're walking around to and from the bow of the boat, and did some final electrical work. Jay painted the walk-around deck and underneath the walk-rail while I finished the porthole windows. Jay took a break from painting long enough to help me fit the windows into the cabin.

Walk rail and port holes installed!

Today Nathan came over and he and I reinstalled the varnished walk-rail. I fitted the water tank with a "garden hose" fitting to make re-filling it simpler.

Thanks Jay and Nathan. 11 more days till Launch Day!!!!

Construction of the "KnotSoFast"

Test run on Lay Lake.

In May of 2008, Tom began construction on a Glen-L designed "Bo Jest" mini-tugboat. The boat was constructed of wood and fiberglass, and is powered by a 9.9 HP Yamaha outboard engine.

The bow contains a V-berth, and a convertable bench/seat on the port side folds down to make a minimal bed for a grandchild.

The KnotSoFast is now almost completed, and has been in the water several times for final adjustments and testing.

The Maiden Voyage -- On May 31st, we will leave Montgomery, Al and travel down the Alabama River to Gulf Shores. Our Grand-daughter Abby will help crew the boat as she writes a book about the adventure. At 5 or 6 miles per hour, the trip should take us 7 or 8 days to complete.

We will update this site as often as possible, but we are unsure of the availability of internet service on the route, as most of the area we will go through is very rural.