My Boat

22 My Boat

2008 MANTA 42 MK IV, HELIOS

THE STORIES OF YOUR BELOVED BOATS FROM AROUND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Greek God of the sun, bejeweled in a gold crown and riding a lavish two-wheeled chariot, Helios pulled the sun across the sky each day from the east to the west. Riding on two hulls rather than wheels, Bruce and Linda Kilen sail their Manta 42 catamaran, Helios, on summer journeys throughout the Pacific Northwest, basking in what sun they can find.

Having grown up boating, fishing, and sailing in the waters around Tacoma, Bruce is no stranger to on-the-water adventures upon the Salish Sea. After owning several monohulls ranging from 24 to 42 feet over the years, when he started looking for a retirement boat, a catamaran that could be easily sailed by a couple came to the top of the list. Accordingly, Bruce and Linda decided on a Manta 42 Mk IV, which was built in Florida in 2008 and dubbed Helios.

When they took ownership of Helios, the couple sailed her from Sarasota to Key West and then on to Ft. Lauderdale, where she was loaded on a freighter and delivered to Nanaimo, British Columbia. Since then, they have put 15,000 miles on their sailing chariot and keep her in Anacortes on the hard when they are not cruising.

ABOUT THE BOAT Tell us the story of how you found your boat and what makes it special to you.

We chartered a catamaran in Belize to see if Linda would like multihull cruising, and then attended the Miami Boat Show a couple of times to narrow down our choices. We decided on the Manta because it is designed to be sailed by a couple and can be easily sailed from the helm station.

What do you like best about your boat?

It is a safe boat to sail. We can raise the sails and reef the main from the the helm. The only time we go to the mast is to raise the Code Zero and we douse it when the apparent wind gets to 10 knots.

The layout allows us to spread out while cruising for extended periods, and having the enclosed cockpit creates another room when the weather is rainy. It also makes for a dry and wind-free helm. Also, when docking, Linda can simply walk off the steps onto the dock with no jumping required.

Helios has a 500 mile cruising radius under power, with each engine only using ¾ of a gallon per hour when motoring at 7 knots. We prefer to sail, but that’s a relief when encountering light air.

What’s your favorite story involving your boat?

Helios sails at 11-12 knots under good conditions. On a couple occasions with the wind right and the water semi-flat, and was able to pass some Grand Banks had raised the head sail when there was a thump and vibration Harbour, we were warned on the VHF to turn around and go back to Egmont because the conditions were awful down in the

Where do you plan to take your boat? Do you have a dream destination?

When the border opens, we plan to head to the Broughtons and maybe around Cape Caution to explore the central coast of British Columbia. We have always wanted to go to Alaska at our own pace and if our health continues to be good, we might

I’ve had the boat speed up to 11 knots Bruce takes a bow seat while sailing downwind. and Nordic Tugs that were burning a lot of fuel to go 8 or 9 knots. If someone gave you $10,000 that you could only spend on your

Describe the most challenging situation you’ve experienced on I would put some dollars into changing the headsail to roller your boat and how it performed. furling and the main to a system that furls in the boom. Doing

Two stories come to mind. Last summer leaving Pender this would extend our sailing into our late 70s by making it an Harbour and heading north in 20-22 knot southerly winds, we even safer boat to sail than it already is. on the starboard prop. We sailed to Powell River, and with only If you could have any other boat, what would it be and why? the port engine and some help waiting for us on the dock, we At our age, it would be a displacement power cruiser in the were able to tie up. A diver came and removed a ball of cedar 45 to 50 foot range. We wouldn’t have to be on deck taking bark from the prop about the size of a medicine ball. The next care of sails and with bow and stern thrusters docking would day we were on our way with no problems. be safe and easy. But for now, we love Helios and are happy to

Another time when leaving Princess Louisa Inlet for Pender be sailors! make the dream come true.

boat, what would you do with it and why?

Strait of Georgia. We proceeded nonetheless, and were taking Whether it is a beloved cruising sailboat, powerboat, racing waves on the starboard beam with water hitting the cockpit boat, wooden boat, work boat, tug boat or even a kayak or old panels. After we traveled a little over a quarter mile and were Laser, we want to share your boat’s story for 48° North’s “My able to turn downwind, the rough conditions became more Boat” series. Email andy@48north.com to get started!