Kokomo on S.F. Bay for Fleet Week 2015

FAQ's - Answers To Questions About Kokomo.

FAQ's - (OK, some of these questions are not FREQUENTLY asked, but I thought I'd include them all!)

*** First: Here is the complete gear and equipment list!
*** Here is the story of how we purchased the boat (worth reading!)

What is the age of house & start batteries?
Start batteries 4 years, House batteries 3 years​

Engine fuel filtration system and is each engine on it's own supply?

​ - Fuel filtration is separate, but before the filters is one 120g tank. I considered having a separate tank installed in the Lazarette, but have never had a problem​ with the filters.

Center window wiper? and are the wipers on separate switches?

​- No, the boat was not commissioned with a center window wiper, and I think it'd be overkill. The center window opens, and mounting a wiper assembly on that pane would be possible but might lead to problems.​ Yes, the wipers are on separate switches, both for momentary use (stainless momentary switches on the helm near the wheel) and near the helm for "on" status.

Is the head equipped with a shower

​-No. I have a sink-fed hot water shower​ and a solar shower (

tank and hose) both ​of ​which operate in the cockpit and drain out the skuppers.

​ I think that's cleaner and has no mold/mildew issues down in the forward cabin.​

Condition of trailer, bearings, seals, brakes

​ - Had the bearings, seals and brakes done, and two new tires installed) at the end of last season at a very good trailer shop on the Delta.​

Brand of trailer brakes & electric over hydraulic controller

​Carlisle; I remember it being a among the best​

Weight of boat on trailer with full cruising gear & tanks

​I think I estimated (never weighed) it at 10k, with tanks full, loaded for a two week trip, clothing, safety equipment and accessories for two persons, and all gear (including the davit and dinghy/engine)​. NOTE: I tend to overestimate when I’m planning to handle a load.

What do you tow the boat with and do you use a weight distributing hitch?

​I have a 2005 F350 Turbo Diesel and it’s my opinion that you don't need a WDH with the three axle trailer. Towed effortlessly from Cornet Bay, WA - Yankee Hill​, CA, and several trips to Monterey Bay and many trips to San Francisco Bay. I've always launched and retrieved it (the manual indicated two, possibly three persons needed for launching and retrieval, but I've done it alone most of the time) and took it home to store it.

Higher resolution pictures of the boat sitting on trailer (side & stern view), and any others that you would care to send would be helpful.

​ - Don't have those, but except for the fading bottom coating (at marine paint advisor's urging, I haven't had it bottom painted because my saltwater time is very limited and the new owner may want a certain bottom paint)​ the hull is perfect.

One of the items mentioned in your list is un-mounted one way valves or flaps for the freeing ports (scuppers).  Have you had water enter the cockpit from waves lapping against the hull or other problems?  This was an irritant with my 25 C-dory.

​ - I keep the brass scupper covers in the cockpit, within a few inches of the scuppers ports, and screw them in for launching, retrieval and if I find myself in a following sea, etc. So I have the interior covers. What I was referring to were the two "ping-pong ball" exterior ports that I purchased but never installed. I'd seen them on other RF-246's and thought they were neat (ping-pog ball floats up to prevent anything from entering the scupper)​ but have found no need for them on my boat.

Do you have canvas side curtains for the aft cockpit?

​ No​. I would have listed them.

Do you tow your boat with the dingy inflated on the cabin top?  I've always deflated and stowed mine, but would be nice not to have to.

​ - For short distances, yes. Achilles with engine and two Wilderness Systems kayaks. Long hauls (highway speeds), no.​ The roof features stainless side rails that double as hand holds when walking on the gunwhales of the boat, and good tie downs for items stored on the roof.

The instrument mounted to starboard side cabin wall directly behind the pilots seat.  I'm guessing that this is the Wallas heater control?

​ - Yes. Wallas 30D control panel (digital)​

What is this item? Compact Ozone generator for air/water purificaton* (see: scribe5.com/ozone)

​ - A small, timer-actuated​ ozone generator. Read about what they can do for boats at the website.

PURE SIGN digital control panel

​ - Digital control & monitor(12V amps) panel for the charger and the inverter (12VDC-120VAC)​; located on the galley fascade

Is the Xantrex inverter both a battery charger & pure sign wave inverter?

​ - Yes, it was the top-of-the-line in 2007 2000-watt Pure Sign inverter/charger. It's been wonderful to me! ​

What chart chip(s) are included with the Raymarine E-120?

​ - I have CA-WA and the PNW​; basically the west coast inland and coastal waterways

What is your anchor rode x ft 1/4" chain & x ft 1/2" rope?

​ - I have 150" of 1/2 line and about 22" of chain​

Does Kokomo have a transom door?

​ - No, but with the hull extension (hollow bolt-on extension that the outboards mount to), you have a fairly easy step to either side of the swim-platform from the cockpit. I have had no trouble, even after the stroke (equilibrium issues), with getting around on the boat.​

How was Kokomo named?

​ - I named it after a song that my wife and I enjoyed, and a string of islands in the Caribbean that I've frequented over the years (The Lower Antilles were originally named Kokomo as an island group)​

I'm guessing that Les would have installed hydraulic steering probably Sea Star?

​ - Yes, for both the engines and the auto-pilot​

Perhaps it would be best if you consulted the King Salt-Water trailer's website about the trailer. I ordered brake parts (from King) but don't know who made them or what brand they are. I think they'd have the specifics you require. I do know that it features the flow through lube system on all 6 wheels, though. I also keep a spare flow-through hub on the spare tire.

What is the device (deck mounted stainless or chrome round cap) aft of the anchor and starboard of the bow bollard?

​ - I think your talking about the Lewmar V-700 (Vertical) windlass. I've appreciated that every time I've used it, and it's been a real workhorse in every type of bottom you can imagine! It's possible, now that I'm thinking about it more, that you're referring to the manual chain/rode access hole, and cover, that sits to the right of the windlass when seated at the helm.

Is all the lighting LED (navigation & interior)?

​ - Yes, for the trailer, and soon it will be for the boat. I'm installing a new set of LED navigation lamps​ that I ordered from Australia. Outperforms the several brands I found in the states. Note: The original, which used a specialty bulb that I could only find at West Marine, were fine until I lost the red lens overboard when changing a bulb recently. The anchor lamp and the interior lights are all LED.

Where are the Wallas heater outlets located?  Do you think a duct could be run to the forward window for demisting?

​ - The outlets (three; most boats have 1 or 2) are located (1) in the face of the aft dinette settee, (2) at your feet at the helm​ (in the Tiny Step Box that serves as a storage device and a step to the starboard door and (3) in the forward cabin in the bulkhead that separates the head from the helm. It never occurred to me that the heater might be ducted upwards for a defrost device; I have no problem with the windows fogging up using the fans and cracking the windows and doors.

Is there a TP dispenser in the head (mounted to electrical panel access)?

​ - Yes, but it is inset to the right and more convenient than it would be had they mounted it to electrical/helm access door.​ (Yes, I REALLY got asked about a TP holder!)

The 1-1/2"~2" polished tube in front of throttles - is this electronic wire routing?  Did Les install this?  Looks like it is positioned so as not to interfere with pilots site lines when sitting at helm?

​ - Yes. All of the wiring from the roof-mounted electronics​ and the electronics mounted in the overhead helm cabinet passes through that channel.

Does Kokomo have the sliding dinette table?

​ - Yes it does, and it makes down to a comfy double birth​

What is the color of the interior upholstery?  Hard to tell in the photos.

​ - Deep green. Matches the exterior striping​. The upholstery in the V-Berth covers cushions with additional bolstering ...

Have you tried cruising on one engine in the 12~14 knot range with the other tilted up?  If so, how does she perform?

​ - No, I never tilt one engine up when one is down, because that would cause eventual damage to the cross linkage​ and put a strain on Sea Star hydraulics. I often travel at 7-8kts on one engine Have never had an issue with the engine dragging or pulling to one side), and seldom in the 12-14 knot speed range, but it is always a sure-footed and stable vessel, at any speed with one or two engines.

'YouTube' video of Kokomo and CYC on the 4th of July on the Sacramento/San Juaquin Delta

   Passage

This photo collage of our CYC trip to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Deltas on July 4, 2014 features wonderful production & photography by Judy Irene (freshairstudios.com; freshairjudy@gmail.com) and original music by Steve Reeves (the song "Passage" from the album "Rain On Steaming Pavement") (amigosteve@gmail.com). Enjoy! (click on "Passage" above)

* CYC = Chico Yacht Club, Chico, CA

Check The Specs!

Kokomo is a 2007 boat that had very little use before 2010 when I bought her. Stored at Les Lampman's facility in Coronet Bay (E.Q. Marine), Whidbey Island, WA, she had 72 demo hours on her when I purchased her in 2010. She hadn't even been broken in yet (approx. 100 hours). The owner, who was a "commission her with the best of everything" type of guy from Jackson, WY, flew in on a small plane infrequently, and when he encountered health problems, the boat was maintained but sat idle much of the time. So you decide: She may be a 2007 when she was built? Or she may as well have been a 2010 when she was finished being commissioned and went to 'sea'. (Lakes, rivers, Delta, Bay, the Pacific Northwest, etc.)


If you'd like a complete inventory of Kokomo's current equipment please see the (UPDATED) Specifications list HERE.

If you haven't read the story of our getting the boat, I recommend it. It's HERE

SEA TRIAL TERMS: The boat is on it's trailer stored at my home in Yankee Hill, CA. You're welcome to see it here by appointment. I'd also be happy to take you on a sea trial. Here are our Sea Trial terms: A $350 cash non-refundable deposit is required*. The sea-trial will be at either the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (3 hours one-way for me) or the San Francisco Bay (4 hours one-way for me), my choice. Note: The closest option, Lake Oroville, is sufficiently low that they've closed the launch ramps. We'll meet there if the water levels come up after the winter rains. This deposit will count toward the purchase price of the boat if you decide Kokomo is for you. The deposit will be applied to the cost of fuel (in the truck and the boat) and my time, etc. if not. Max time for sea trials is 3 hours.

Our Beloved KOKOMO Is FOR SALE ...

"I really think it's the most expertly-rigged and outfitted RF-246 I've ever seen; maybe the finest overall vessel of its type in existence today ... but I'm not objective. You take a look and see what you think."  -  Steve Reeves

It is with heavy heart that I put my beloved Rosborough RF-246 up for sale. I've spent the short time I've owned her perfecting her for expedition cruising (little or no marina support) but, alas, health problems and a sudden divorce force her sale. I look forward to meeting her new owners and to hearing about her ongoing adventures.

Everything about "Kokomo" can be seen here. Be sure to read "30 Years Later - We Found Just The Right Boat For Us" and go through the extensive equipment list in "Specifications: Kokomo" (above article). I absolutely love the twin Honda BF-150 (C.A.R.B.-compliant) engines (300hp!). It truly is the best outfitted and powered vessel I have ever seen.

PRICE: $95,000 for the boat & trailer & 2 Honda engines; $110,000 fully outfitted

It comes with a galvanized, triple-axle salt-water optimized trailer with hydraulic over electric brakes, the perfect tender (see the photo), etc., etc. I've spent lots of time and money getting it just right ... so you won't have to. Asking $95,000 for the boat with all electronics, etc. (everything on the equipment list that has no asterisk). For $110k (replacement is twice that) I'm willing to include most of the items on the specifications list (everything PLUS everything with one asterisk) and much, more - full outfitting that would cost much more to replace. If you have additional questions, please e-mail me at amigosteve@gmail.com.

(Current engine hours: P=579 S=581)

Three Spring Days on Lake O.!

Written for the Chico Yacht Club 'ANCHORLINE' ...

When I arrived at Spillway Launch, all the preparation that Lee Ann and I had done for (only) three days on Lake Oroville with the Chico Yacht Club suddenly seemed worth it. It was gorgeous, the water was flat (good for power boats!) and reflected  the green shores, random floral carpets and the blue sky.

I got Kokomo prep’d and launched  (a sight equivalent to an ant moving a large piece of bread; usually draws a small crowd ... thank goodness for roller trailers!) in about an hour and, after raising the radar tower, affixing the main VHF antenna, releasing the anchor’s safety line and hoisting Old Glory on the stern flag pole and the CYC burgie on the forward pole (and the obligatory late offer of help from a guy who stood nearby for an hour and watched me get the boat launched!), I was ready for the sea ... or, in this case, the lake.

Spike sets a course for the Bidwell Bridge

Almost ‘on a lark’ (Herb Clark NEVER has his radio on!) I turned my VHF ‘on’ and tuned to channel 16 (I was ‘counseled’ later by past-Commodore Clark that VHF’s are seldom used on Lake Oroville; his is kept ‘off’ because of a circuit issue that sends a pulse to his VHF from his depth sounder; I’m looking in my stereo store storage unit for a circuit isolator than I can give him and I’ll keep my stories of 30-years of VHF usage on the lake to myself). I settled in for a leisurely cruise to the spot off Bidwell Marina where I’d drift and read for 3+ hours while I waited for the boat(s) that I was looking for around noon. Sure enough, around 3 p.m., three sailboats came out and headed for a tack that would line them up for the Bidwell Bridge.

The first boat was evidently crewed by Rick Stuelpnagel and Dennis Kaiser who sailed out with the boats crewed by Herb and Carolyn (Hotel Charlie) and the one single-handed by Spike (Varuna), but returned to the marina instead of making their way under the bridge to Sycamore Cove. They’d apparently been most helpful to Herb in installing his outboard back on his boat after a shop found a twisted water intake hose that nearly stranded him in his slip during our McCabe Cove trip a few weeks earlier. Spike had a worn pulley in the rigging of Varuna that an enterprising marina employee was able to inspect from the second-story bar at Bidwell Marina (with crew standing on the dock side gunnels of the boat to ‘tip’ her towards the inspector!), and the two projects apparently took three to four hours to complete. No problem, I was busy enjoying Stuart Woods’ “Blue Waters, Green Sailor”.

Lee Ann, Spike & Carolyn in Kokomo!

I greeted Herb and Carolyn as they sailed by, exchanged a wave with Spike a few minutes later, and as Hotel Charlie hoisted her signature spinnaker as she was clearing the bridge, I started up Kokomo and set course back to the Spillway ramp, where I’d be happy to pick up my “better half’ and then join them at their destination. Hotel Charlie had nice anchor and stern-tie arrangement when Lee Ann and I got to the cove just before dark (I waited another two hours for Lee Ann, taking in the ready entertainment of the ‘boat retrieval antics’ at the ramp) and we rafted up on the opposite side that Spike was tied to. The crew of the three boats talked for awhile, and Herb announced he was turning in, so we made sure the only fenders we used had “kozies’ (squeak control) and we called it a night early.

Morning was glorious on Saturday. The cove we were in was still covered in green grass and Lupine, the ducks and birds were abundant, and it was an ideal start to the weekend. We’d heard Herb say to Spike the night before that they’d “start to Feather Falls at 6 or 6:30 AM”, so, though that seemed awful early, we were up and ready at 6. Turns out I had forgotten that approximately half of everything Herb says is a joke, and it was hours later that Herb and Carolyn emerged. In the meantime, Lee Ann made a yummy breakfast of fruit parfaits, and we enjoyed the time talking and sighting birds.

Varuna, Hotel Charlie & Kokomo at rest at Sycamore Cove

The morning was calm, and, after enjoying some photos of their trip to the PNW (do you know that Hotel Charlie was once named Freudian Sloop? Her dinghy was Jung Love!) the guys commented that sailing up the river wouldn’t be possible, and motoring at 5kts. didn’t thrill them either, so I invited them to go up to the falls on Kokomo, and a half-hour later we set out for “the quickest trip to Feather Falls ever”, according to Herb. The look on Spike’s face as I put the two 150hp outboards through their paces and took off at 25 kts (not full throttle) was priceless, according to Herb. We took lunch, and enjoyed it at the final navigable turn in the river, where we had a great view of Feather Falls and enjoyed hearing/telling stories about the Sausalito CYC outing, and the McCabe Cove event (you’d have liked this, Leo!).

We took a photo or two and, when Spike pointed out a large driftwood gathering (which I had been watching, as well) that had begun to shift with the changing wind and threatened to close off the river downstream, we pulled anchor and headed back for Sycamore Cove (none too soon; one boat width remained passable as the increasing wind dragged the considerable wood barge across the narrow river channel). I was both surprised and pleased to find out that this was Spike’s ‘fastest’ and first ever trip to where he could see Feather Falls from the water!

'Hotel Charlie' reflected in a mirror!

I got to sit back with everyone while Herb drove Kokomo for awhile, and enjoyed chatting with Spike about the trip to the Delta on the fourth of July. Kokomo is no stranger to the Delta! We were back at Sycamore Cove before you knew it (especially for the people that were used to sailing, which was everyone but us) and we settled into our cove for visiting, reading, bird watching and kayaking.

Sometime in the afternoon, Spike left and, as he put it, “headed for the barn”. The evening fell, and after BBQ’ing some hot dogs, we invited Herb and Carolyn over to play ‘Farkle’. Herb said warily that he didn’t play games, but he gave it a try (he was in the lead for awhile!) and we had fun and lots of laughter before he wanted to turn in. We pulled Kokomo about 100’ away and dropped the anchor so we could watch a movie without bothering our friends on Hotel Charlie.

'Kokomo' is leaving on Sunday

Sunday morning was another beautiful one, and this time I’d had a full night’s sleep (no phony 6AM departure call!). It was a special morning (Lee Ann’s birthday!) and I made espresso for her and we spent some time chatting. Then, from 100’ away, we saw Carolyn posting a paper plate in Hotel Charlie’s rigging. It was hard to read from where we were, so I asked if they wanted company and rafted up. It read, “Happy Birthday Lee Ann ... to the Farkle Fairy Queen!” (Lee Ann was far ahead in the game last night when we quit!). Nice!

We had Herb and Carolyn over for breakfast and Lee Ann made her double cinnamon french toast (Yum!), Carolyn contributed a yummy fruit cocktail, and we enjoyed ourselves. Not long after, we said our goodbyes and headed up the South Fork as Hotel Charlie sailed back to the marina. I had a great experience as we cruised away ... a radio call on the VHF from HERB, pointing out an Osprey nest on our route. Lee enjoyed the sighting, and I enjoyed the second radio call I had ever received from Herb!

Herb and Carolyn ... in Hotel Charlie

Later in the afternoon, as we were crossing the main lake, we were flagged down by a MacGregor 26 that was drifting in the sunshine. It was Donnie and Marilyn Howard, and we rafted up and enjoyed visiting for a while (and met their precious dogs Rosie and Lillie!) . We’d gotten to know and like Donnie on the McCabe Cove trip, and it was nice to meet Marilyn.

We ended the Earth Day protest cruise without anyone ever once speaking of Earth Day (to my knowledge). Like so many creative names, this one turned out to be just another wonderful opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of our diverse home lake and the comraderie of CYC mates!

Herb took this great photo of the Spring flowers!

The Prodigal Screen

Some two years ago, I wrote in our ship's log that we lost Kokomo's port side window screen overboard while trying to put it on while on the water and after dark (lesson learned!). After some research, we ended up contacting the Canadian company who manufactured the custom screens for Rosborough boats, and found it was $80 + international shipping, or about $115 total. I was hesitant to pay that, though I knew that before we went back to the PNW, we'd have to do something about the screen. The bugs are plentiful there!

Thus my wife and I went back to that cove at Craig's Saddle regularly, slowing down to a 'putt' and searching for the missing screen. We knew the chances that we'd find it were slim, but I'd estimate 7 or 8 searches, in our 21' ski boat and on Kokomo, were spent with hopes that the lake (Lake Oroville, Oroville, CA) would receed to the point that we'd be able to see and retrieve our screen.

Then, in August, we were escorting a group of sailboats and kayaks from Chico Yacht Club, which we've since joined, and were passing by the cove where we'd lost the screen. Almost as an afterthought, I switched the autopilot off and steered into the cove for another search.

We got down to idle speed and trained our eyes on the rocky coastline. About 5 minutes into the search, I said to Lee, "Look, is that it?", and pointed to an item just above the waterline. Sure enough, it was Kokomo's long lost (and expensive) screen, exposed only the night before as the lake (a reservoir) let another 2' of water flow through the dam and down the Feather River. Lee Ann went for swim and I kept the boat close and before we knew it, we had the screen back aboard.

You'd think that two years of submersion would at least require re-screening, if not having ruined the screen frame completely. But the custom screen was probably worth what they charge for it, because with a little washing away of sand and wiping the mesh down, the screen (finish included!) was in the same condition it was when we'd inadvertently dropped it in the lake! Boy, we're happy to have it back.