NORTHERN RANGER I
Boat Type: Nordhavn 46
Skipper: Lawrence Talbot
Club: Royal Vancouver YC
Built: 1999
Captain/Owner Bio
We (Lawrence and Penny Talbot) have been cruising together in the Pacific Northwest for over 35 years. Our first boat was a 26 foot sailboat, Pagoo – when we decided we were going to live aboard we exchanged her for a 26 foot Campion, Mithril… which was just big enough for two. Fast forward a few years and a new career and we decided the Campion 30 trawler would be perfect for accommodating a growing family. Pagoo (2) became our home for three more years until son number two came along, at which point we moved ashore, but kept the boat. Every summer we took the family on a four week cruise in the Pacific Northwest, and were content with our little 30. However little boys turn into big men and one trip proved to us that the boat was too small if we wanted them along – so we reluctantly sold her and had a 43 foot North Pacific built. That was our first forever boat. We cruised with our friends around Vancouver Island, proving that the boat, and us, could go almost anywhere… except offshore. So the hunt for the next forever boat was on, and we found her in Northern Ranger, a Nordhavn 46 that is strong enough to take us anywhere and to be comfortable.
Favorite Cruising Destination
We have always loved pointing ourselves north and exploring beyond Desolation Sound, up into the Broughtons – and the last two summers we have gone around Vancouver Island and then up to Shearwater and beyond. The scenery, the fishing, and the people up there make it a wonderful experience. Eventually we would love to go to Alaska, but we have never experienced warm weather boating, so this is our chance to see if this could become our new favorite place.
Favorite Boating Experience
Right now, bringing our boat down from basically Canada to the Mexican border certain has to be one of my new favourite experiences! We learned lots, about ourselves and the boat – and developed a confidence in both that we wouldn’t have had if we had not done it.
About the Crew
We have been married 35 years, boating for even longer – retired and hoping to retire soon, so that we can enjoy this cruising if down south for a while. Two sons, no grandkids, one dog, two cats, all of whom will remain at home while we start out on this endeavor. Hopefully the kids will come down to visit us during our adventure – animals, probably not!
What’s in a Name
All of our boats have had special names – Mithril (Lord of the Rings fans)… Pagoo (from a children’s book about hermit crabs… carrying your home on your back… etc etc) Malahide (castle in Ireland that was the ancestral home of the Talbot family… and that boat looked like a castle, too). When we bought Northern Ranger, I felt strongly that this was a name that personally resonated with me. Although I have loved naming boats old and new, this time we went with the name she came with.
Reason to Buy This Boat
We have always admired Nordhavns and knew that one day, if at all possible, we would try to own one. And having done this trip, I think we were absolutely right!
Interest in CUBAR
We first heard about CUBAR at a seminar at Trawlerfest two years ago. We were too late to plan for that one… but a group of us who had met and become friends (from all over the world, I might add!) vowed we would do CUBAR in 2015. We have worked towards this for the last two years… and now, here we are! Living in Vancouver Canada means you can’t just hop in a boat and go to Mexico – this really seemed like a good opportunity to make it happen, in the easiest way possible. And it looks like a lot of fun!
Boating Story
Too many to mention. Trust me, cruising with kids and friends for 35 years there are lots of stories.