Below the Waterline

I have never actually seen underneath the Nordic Quest, this part of the boat is normally hidden from view. Unless you wish to go swimming in 50 degree water. This summer I did get a chance to take a good look at another ’42 while she was still up for winter storage at Auke Bay.

The Nordic Endeavor is just a couple years older than the Quest and is pretty much identical underneath. I found it particularly interesting to note the shape of the hull and to check out the main propeller and rudder area. I walked around underneath her and took a good look. There is quite a difference between viewing a drawing on a website and walking around the real thing.

One surprise was the keel. I knew the tugs have a large, solid keel, but the actual size still surprised me. It is even larger and more solid than I had envisioned. these are well built boats designed for Alaskan waters. I now understand how the occasional brushes with rocks have failed to do more than minor damage to the Quest or the other boats we know.

The rudder is also quite large, a match for the large five bladed propeller. Having so often swung this rudder around while performing docking maneuvers it was nice to see the real thing close up. The rudder post is not at the leading edge, but somewhat back. Is this an effort to provide some turning capability while in reverse? I need to look into this design to better understand the handling characteristics of the boat.

I also had a chance to look at the bow thruster. It is smaller than I had envisioned. Considering its power this little ducted propeller has a substantial amount of kick. I recently had occasion to turn the boat nearly 120 degrees at a fuel dock on thruster alone. It always surprises me how easily she can be turned, even more so having now seen the thruster that does the job.

The Nordic Endeavor had clearly had some maintenance done while she was dry. Fresh zincs are to be seen mounted to the cleaned and freshly painted rudder and propeller. She was ready to join the Quest in the water for the summer season.