“Pamala Lee”
Pam and I purchased our 315 Conquest at the November 2014 Ft Lauderdale boat show. After reviewing the offerings of outboard models available in the 30 foot range, the overall quality, fit and finish and amenities as standard equipment of the Boston Whaler, helped in making our choice. The boat was delivered to the Ft Myers Marine Max dealership in late April 2015.
Boating on the Gulf of Mexico demands a lot from a boat. The ‘unsinkable’ feature became the standard of comparison to the other boat manufactures. The construction of the boat, especially the unique process of joining the top and bottom enhances the rigidity of the boat. Owning previous boats that used the traditional bolting and adhesive methods and dealing with the hull flexing and leaking issues, the Boston Whaler is superior in this area.
The experience of using the joystick to move from the dock with outboards was exciting. Turning the boat 180 degrees on its axis with the twist of a knob was bringing our boating experience into the 21st century. The joystick out performed our previous big twin inboard diesels and bow thruster in the tight quarter maneuver. The Mercury Verado does definitely have a sound advantage over the diesels also. Experiencing the “Skyhook” feature of holding the boat in location was immediately a big plus; waiting on locks, space at the fuel dock, etc. all came to mind.
With just a couple of weeks of boating experience with our 315 Conquest, it was decided that this boat would help us complete the Great Loop. The Great Loop is a circumnavigation of the Eastern U.S. by water. We had previously completed the route that encompasses the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and up the East coast. Additionally, we cruised the Hudson River, Erie Canal, Oswego Canal, Lake’s Ontario and Erie and the Welland canal with our previous boats. Our new boat was loaded on a semi and shipped to Wyandotte, MI, which is located on the Detroit River near Lake Erie.
It was now June 2015 and time to really learn our new boat. The auto pilot system received a good workout traversing Lake Erie, visiting many of the island getaways. We gained confidence with the Skyhook system using it to hold position, in the average 5mph current, of the Detroit River. The summer kitchen and sunshade options were put to the test and received our stamp of approval along with positive comments from our dock mates. The underwater fish lights really do attract the fish and the fish plotter was reliable in identifying the fish swimming underneath the boat.
With charts, guide books, bicycles, and a long list of must haves, we departed from Wyandotte, MI on September 2, 2015. Heading north and around the state of Michigan to Chicago to enter the Illinois Waterway system, our journey began. The weather warning system activated several times indicating summer storms approaching and advising to seek port quickly. Our 315 Conquest handled the sometimes challenging waters of Lake Michigan (waves over foredeck) without any difficulty, the wiper system works well!
Viewing Chicago from the river level reveals interesting architecture not noticed from street level. There were many recognized street names and buildings from many past movies and noted the boat
dealer in the downtown area. Heading west entering the Illinois River, we were greeted by the large warning signs telling of electrical barriers to keep the Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. Leaving the Illinois River at Grafton, we turned South on the Upper Mississippi River, it is truly a large and muddy river. In no time we were passing the St. Louis Arch, the gateway to the West. For those continuing South, the boating community is warned of an extended lack of fuel for 270 miles. Fueling up and a good night rest, with gentle rocking from passing barges , we then cast off for the 270 mile journey.
Leaving the Mississippi at the junction of the Ohio River, we turned East up the Ohio. Now our journey was going to be against the current for the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Passing the barges is now on the ‘One’ or ‘TWO’ not port or starboard. The 270 mile trip segment brought us to Grand Rivers, KY, the Mercury Verado’s after pushing us along with an average speed in excess of 30 mph, left 90 gallons of gas in our tank. It was already time for service on the engines and this gave us an excuse to spend some time ashore.
Heading south up the Tennessee, (this river flows South to North), and we entered the Tennessee/Tombigby waterway or the Tenn/Tom. This waterway for next hundred fifty miles transverses some very unique landscape and very remote country side (no cell service, Wi-Fi or banjo’s).
The Tenn/Tom takes you to the Black Warrior River south to Mobile Bay. Mobile Bay has a wide variety of shipping industry representation from barges, container shipping, passenger cruise lines, military ship repair and building, including impressive multi hull combat ships. Soon you have entered the shipping lanes and ships from foreign ports are part of the seascape. Turning southeast in mid bay for the intersection of the East bound Intracoastal Waterway is the next major open water leg of the journey.
Arriving at Gulf Port, AL we have officially crossed our wake to complete the Great Loop, bucket list item completed! The marina of choice is Homeport Marina, also known as LULU’s (Jimmy Buffett’s sister!) food, fuel and rest. At this time and location we have traveled over 2,200 miles, states traveled include Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, 14 locks, several lift bridges. According to the charts our home of Cape Coral is about 500 miles from this location.
Leaving Gulf Port, AL heading east in the Intracoastal in Florida’s panhandle, we arrive at Apalachicola, FL for the next major water crossing. The weather is gray and the wind at our back, time to cross the Gulf of Mexico. This crossing is about 180 miles to Tarpon Springs, FL; most “Loopers” prefer trawlers and travel at 6 – 8 mph which makes this crossing an overnight adventure. Our 315 Conquest with the twin 300hp Verado’s likes to cruise about 35mph and even with the extra gear aboard, the computer is showing mpg of 1.3 avg.
From Tarpon Springs we traveled in and out of the Intracoastal, passing by Tampa Bay, out in the Gulf to Charlotte Harbor. Turning into Charlotte Harbor entrance we followed the Pine Island sound to the Caloosahatchee River. Once the red # 84 came into view, a turn north in the marked channel took us home, Cape Coral, FL. The total miles on our 2015 315 Conquest was at 3,097 with 235 engine hours from May 2015 to October 1, 2015. We have a few product enhancements to share with Boston Whaler after living on board for 4 weeks (and we’re still married!)
Both Will and Pam Knudsen hold USCG Merchant Mariner 100 ton w/towing licenses. Will is a Certified Instructor with the Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron. For more information on boating classes and functions held at the Squadron, call 239-549-9754.
