Year Built - 1990
Builder - American Marine, Grand Banks
Hull Material - Fiberglass
Style - Sedan
Length - 32'
Beam - 11.5'
Engine - Cummins 6BT
From Office To Ocean
Kokomo is my 1990 Grand Banks 32, a 35-year-old trawler with classic lines and plenty of character. She was built in Singapore back when boats were built solid, mostly analog, and expected to be repaired rather than replaced.
Most of her systems work beautifully once you learn their personalities. She has an honest sense of time and distance, and a reliable way of reminding me that every project will probably take twice as long as I originally planned. She’s not fast, flashy, or particularly interested in modern conveniences, but she’s comfortable, capable, and has a quiet way of teaching patience.
At this point I’ve come to think of her as a kind of floating retirement counselor. She’s powered by a single Cummins 6BT, a small Westerbeke generator, and a set of updated navigation systems. Kokomo has her own opinions about maintenance schedules and the cost of ownership, but she’s charming enough that by sunset you’ve usually forgotten whatever she made you fix that day.
Year Built - 1990
Builder - American Marine, Grand Banks
Hull Material - Fiberglass
Style - Sedan
Length - 32'
Beam - 11.5'
Engine - Cummins 6BT
The tall ships sailed into Boston for Sail250, giving us the perfect excuse to point Kokomo toward the harbor for a history lesson from the Golden Age of Sail.
Of course, getting there meant navigating the modern age of horsepower instead. Hundreds of boats, busy ferries, and plenty of organized chaos made the trip into the harbor an adventure of its own. Once we arrived, though, it was worth every minute. There's something special about seeing these magnificent ships from the water, the way they were meant to be viewed.
Check out the YouTube video and come along for the ride as we weave through today's boating madness before enjoying an unforgettable close-up of the tall ships.
Hull Harbor is more than just a convenient stop on the way into or out of Boston Harbor. It's a quiet harbor where pleasure boats share the water with a handful of hardworking commercial fishing boats—a scene that hasn't changed nearly as much as the boats themselves.
Long before boats like Kokomo cruised these waters, the Massachuset people called this area Nantasket, meaning "the place of low tides." Anyone who's misjudged the current around Hull can appreciate how fitting that name still is today.
In 1621, Miles Standish and Isaac Allerton landed at nearby Allerton Point to establish a trading post, making Hull one of the earliest settled communities in Massachusetts. During the Revolutionary War, the harbor became a key part of Boston's defenses, with forts built to guard the entrance against British warships.
Today, the only armada you're likely to encounter is a weekend parade of fishing boats, ferries, sailboats, and recreational boaters all trying to enjoy a beautiful summer day.
Every time Kokomo cruises through Hull Harbor, it's a reminder that while the boats have changed dramatically over the last four centuries, this harbor has always been an important gateway to Boston.
Some places get their names from famous people. Others from the shape of the land. And then there's Hypocrite Channel, a narrow cut between Green Island and Little Calf Island on the outer edge of Boston Harbor. It's not a name that inspires confidence.
Check out the blog page for the details of our passage thru the channel aboard Kokomo.
A humorous & reflective blog chronicling the transition from a 35-year desk career to retirement focused on cruising, boat maintenance, & coastal living.