Shifting Gears: We’re Still Learning
November 18, 2025
Happily, we pulled our C-Dory 22 Cruiser Sea Lab out of our Fair Harbor slip and onto her trailer for a good cleanup and a few repairs before our three weeks of late summer cruising. I really wanted the windlass to work…
Shifting Gears: Pulling the Emergency Brake
September 16, 2025
The trusty C-Dory was a rescue boat on…
Shifting Gears: Getting Out of Neutral
July 22, 2025
I always have some excuse for not doing projects, maintenance, or repairs on the boat. It might be too cold or wet. There might be more pressing issues with home or family. Or, it may be someone called with a more…
Shifting Gears: Clutch Before Shifting
April 8, 2025
Sitting in a canoe with cold fingers and feet, watching a beautiful dark blue hulled ketch slowly motor by—its occupants comfortable and dry under their dodger—filled me with envy. This was especially true knowing that we…
Shifting Gears: Recorded History
December 26, 2024
It’s winter now. The rain has set in, it’s 41 degrees outside and I have a cozy fire going in the woodstove. It is comforting to know that our C-Dory 22, Sea Lab, is sitting safe on her trailer just outside. Though I miss…
Shifting Gears: Skipper Tek and Sea Lab
October 3, 2024
A Summer South Sound Cruise Brings Learning and Discovery We arrived at Latimer’s Landing near the Harstine Island Bridge right at high tide. Our C-Dory 22, Sea Lab, was in tow to begin this summer’s boat vacation in the…

Dean, Dennis, and Alan on…
Shifting gears embodies the idea…
The author: Dennis Bottemiller
A Perfect…
Last summer I was helping my friends Chuck…