For the past 80 years, there has been a type of boat developed in the Northwest called a Halibut Schooner. These boats are evolved from the time when sailing schooners used to be common for commercial cod and Halibut fishing in the waters between Alaska and the mainland US. Those waters were renown for be rough and treacherous and the type of boat that evolved was tough, heavily constructed and extraordinarily seaworthy. The Kokanee is a small, but very able, version of this type and the result is a comfortable boat with good living room in her and a double cabin configuration for cruising with friends when that occasion rises. The main features that I like about this boat are the dinette and galley up in the pilothouse configuration. This allows a fo'c'sle that is very private and with enough space enough to allow the character of the live aboard configuration of this boat to actually be realized. The fo'c'sle has an island double berth, fireplace, lots of locker/stowage room and a dressing vanity. In the evening, this will be a very romantic and cozy cabin to retreat to after the day's activities, and with its proper lighting and fine woodwork, the cabin will be a favorite retreat. The head is large and has plenty of room for keeping clean and comfortable.

Going up a few steps into the pilothouse, the helm is on the centerline and has a real ship's wheel. With the dinette and settee to the port side and galley to starboard, everything is right at hand and it will be easy to communicate with crew. At the aft portside corner of the pilothouse, the aft/guest cabin can be accessed and with folding sink and porta-potti, the crew can be comfortable and not have to go forward in the evening to use the fo'c'sle head.

You should note that the cabin roof extends clear to the edge of the boat in the pilothouse area, and with port and starboard sliding doors and with an aft hinged door, all deck areas of the boat can be accessed with ease. The Kokanee is dry stacked for its exhaust and with a slow turning and heavy John Deere diesel engine of 145 horses, it will be quiet and comfortable. I would suggest using a bow thruster on this boat to aid in dockside maneuvering and with a balanced rudder and single screw, the Kokanee will put lots of sea miles below her keel, smoothly and comfortably.

There is plenty of deck space for carrying small rowing skiffs and a proper hard bottomed dingy for exploring an anchorage. This boat will have the capability to cruise to just about any waters that your imagination can take you and will do so with enough crew to be comfortable, safe and handy. I can just see her pulling into some quiet cove in Southeast Alaska, dropping the hook for the evening and after a brisk pull to the shore in the skiff. you can stretch your legs for a few minutes before settling back in for dinner and the evening. Can you imagine a nicer boat to be spending quality time on? Life is indeed too short....