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Post by BreannaF on Feb 13, 2008 22:31:54 GMT -8
As inspired by The top 10 list of beautiful ferries thread up on the BC Ferries - General Discussion board, what do people think are the best and worst Washington State Ferries, from the aesthetic standpoint? Perhaps limited to current or recently departed boats. To get started, my opinions:Good looking: - Spokane/Walla Walla. I think they just flow for me since they were the "new" boats when I was a youngster.
- Evergreen State. Just what a ferry "should" look like.
- Hiyu. Cute as a bug!
- Kaleetan. OK, and the other supers too. Again, they just look and feel proportional to me.
Not my cup of tea: - Jumbo Mark II's. Yeah, nice inside, but too big and generic on the outside.
- Issaquah's. Generic ferry stamped out of a cookie cutter.
- Steel-Electrics. You have to understand, the old S-E's before they were upgraded in the 1980's were absolutely at the top of my list as beautiful ferries. Which is what maked their current incarnation so very disappointing.
Yeah, non-scientific. So what's your opinion?
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Post by Barnacle on Feb 13, 2008 22:52:25 GMT -8
Actually, I'd probably have to agree with your assessments. The Snark IIs just never did much for me... kind of a "Euro-slant" on what was originally a stunning design. The Issys looked better without the 'tween decks, but could be improved by adding a few more ports in the upper deck in a pattern similar to that of the Supers. And the pre-furb Steel-Electrics were classic in their lines, but the renovations just turned them into another boat. The Rhododendron looks the most like a tub toy, but cute for all that.
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Post by chokai on Feb 14, 2008 0:26:47 GMT -8
I'd generally agree. I have always thought the Jumbo's were beautiful boats, long sleek and they look like they are always on the move even when they aren't. They are kind of the pinnacle of classic WSF design in my eye.
When I look at the Jumo's I sometimes think of the USN's Iowa class battleships, which were the pinnacle of US battleship design from an aestetic point of view. They took classic lines and switched them around enough to do something dramatic, and both even have that the long sleek low profile (relatively) thing going on.
I'm not partial to the Supers and never have been and I honestly can't say why, there is no accounting for taste. I also see many of the ferries from a view a lot of people here might not on a regular basis which is a downtown high rise and I'd actually have to put the Jumbo Mark II's above the Supers from a top down view. :-)
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Feb 14, 2008 1:55:38 GMT -8
I'd generally agree. I have always thought the Jumbo's were beautiful boats, long sleek and they look like they are always on the move even when they aren't. They are kind of the pinnacle of classic WSF design in my eye. When I look at the Jumo's I sometimes think of the USN's Iowa class battleships, which were the pinnacle of US battleship design from an aestetic point of view. They took classic lines and switched them around enough to do something dramatic, and both even have that the long sleek low profile (relatively) thing going on. I'm not partial to the Supers and never have been and I honestly can't say why, there is no accounting for taste. I also see many of the ferries from a view a lot of people here might not on a regular basis which is a downtown high rise and I'd actually have to put the Jumbo Mark II's above the Supers from a top down view. :-) Wow Not i I can't stand the Mark II's The Supers are much better looking then Mark II's IMHO.
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 14, 2008 8:41:17 GMT -8
My favorites of the current fleet:
Jumbos Evergreens Rhody Hiyu Sealth--as the last of the unaltered Issaquahs, she has the best looks of the class.
Don't do a thing for me: Mark II's Supers. Issaquahs (just kind of there) The Supers aside from being top heavy look it too. The Steel Electrics. Pre-rebuild they were lovely. Post they were absolutely ruined.
As for the retired favorites just for fun Favorites: San Mateo/Shasta Steel E's Vashon Chippewa Kalakala Enetai/Willapa
Least Favorite: Kulshan Crosline Skansonia
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FNS
Voyager
The Empire Builder train of yesteryear in HO scale
Posts: 4,948
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Post by FNS on Feb 14, 2008 8:55:57 GMT -8
My favorites of the current fleet: Jumbos Evergreens Rhody Hiyu Sealth--as the last of the unaltered Issaquahs, she has the best looks of the class. Don't do a thing for me: Mark II's Supers. Issaquahs (just kind of there) The Supers aside from being top heavy look it too. The Steel Electrics. Pre-rebuild they were lovely. Post they were absolutely ruined. As for the retired favorites just for fun Favorites: San Mateo/Shasta Steel E's Vashon Chippewa Kalakala Enetai/Willapa Least Favorite: Kulshan Crosline Skansonia OOPS! You forgot the Wooden-Electrics, especially the MV CHETZEMOKA (the queen of Mukilteo ferries in the pre-1970s days).
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Post by EGfleet on Feb 14, 2008 10:05:08 GMT -8
Actually I didn't. The Wood Electrics I'm rather indifferent toward...they were wooden boxes and highly utilitarian. They weren't particularly ugly, but they lacked the certain refined touches that some of the other wooden ferries in the fleet had at that time.
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Jody
Chief Steward
Ferry Foamer
Posts: 152
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Post by Jody on Dec 31, 2009 23:08:12 GMT -8
I know this is pretty much a cold thread by now, but I figured I'd weigh in.
I'm really affectionate for the Rhododendron, though I liked her better before the rebuild. But I've always been a sucker for old, so the Rhody pushes toward the top of my list.
After that, I'm a big fan of the Evergreen States, specifically the Klahowya and Tillikum. Again, think "old".
I like the Supers for their burly lines. They look tough, if that makes a lick of sense. Of course, I have to lean towards the boats that have paint like the Kaleetan over the boats that are begging for it like the Hyak and Yakima.
And though it may be heresy, I have to admit that I like the Issaquahs as well. They have a pleasing overall line in my eyes, even if the lines are a little choppy. I will say now that I've seen the Sealth, I like the "stock" version over the modified.
As for the Mark II's, I'll take them over no ferry, but they don't really really excite me. Frankly, I think something was lost between the Jumbos and the Mark II's aesthetically. Where the Jumbos really convey their size, the Mark II's just look bulky. Without seeing them side by side, I think the Jumbos actually look larger than their newer cousins.
Happy New Years, kids! I'm looking forward to more ferry discussions next year.
Jody
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Post by Barnacle on Jan 1, 2010 8:29:59 GMT -8
I'm waiting to see what the finished Chetzemoka looks like. There will be an adjustment period as we all get used to a boat that has no ports on the auto deck... I'm not happy about that, as the hazards from exhaust are much more likely (if not greater) than that of fire on the auto deck. Whine whine whine.
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Post by Freeland on Jan 1, 2010 9:57:27 GMT -8
One of these days I have to travel to Edmonds and Coleman Dock to see what is out there.
However the MV Cathlamet I think has the best paint job. I seems to best looking of the Isaquah class.
Emory
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Jan 1, 2010 11:17:41 GMT -8
I still say.. My favorites of the current fleet: Supers ;D Rhody ;D Evergreens ;D Jumbos ;D Hiyu Make me want to retch: Mark II's Issaquahs
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Post by SS Shasta on Jan 1, 2010 19:38:53 GMT -8
This is a great topic to revisit after two years. Many thanks for reviving it . I would first like to make a few comments on the question itself. For me, as a lay person, I believe that the beauty of a ferry actually has two parts: (1) The outside design of the vessel, and (2) the inside cabin appearance and design or layout. Folks that actually work on the vessels might add another aspect: (3) The mechanics and operations of the vessel. They might ask if the engine is reliable and smooth running or how does the vessel steer, dock, etc. My father disliked MV Kalakala because she was a tough vessel to steer. He would have also based this question of beauty on the ease to which the ferry can load and unload. I have ridden on all of the WSF with the exception of MV Crosline, MV Rosario, and MV Skansonia. (1) The most beautiful WSF in my opinion was MV Chippewa. According to my dad she was a good sea vessel, and my eyes really opened wide on seeing the beauty of her cabin. I fondly remember her lovely cabin wood and brass. (2) Second place would go to SS San Mateo. She also had a beautiful cabin, but it showed years of neglect. What a joy it was to watch her beautiful steam engine in full operation. Sometimes I think I can still smell the mix of hot oil and steam. (3) Third place is a tie between the Evergreen State class and MV Vashon. I agree that the Evergreens look like ferryboats should look. I can never forget, however, my many rides on the revered MV Vashon. Her slow Washington diesel had a special sound and character. Vashon was almost always reliable, but never in a hurry.
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Post by whidbeyislandguy on Jan 2, 2010 2:56:01 GMT -8
This is a great topic to revisit after two years. Many thanks for reviving it . I would first like to make a few comments on the question itself. For me, as a lay person, I believe that the beauty of a ferry actually has two parts: (1) The outside design of the vessel, and (2) the inside cabin appearance and design or layout. Folks that actually work on the vessels might add another aspect: (3) The mechanics and operations of the vessel. They might ask if the engine is reliable and smooth running or how does the vessel steer, dock, etc. My father disliked MV Kalakala because she was a tough vessel to steer. He would have also based this question of beauty on the ease to which the ferry can load and unload. I have ridden on all of the WSF with the exception of MV Crosline, MV Rosario, and MV Skansonia. (1) The most beautiful WSF in my opinion was MV Chippewa. According to my dad she was a good sea vessel, and my eyes really opened wide on seeing the beauty of her cabin. I fondly remember her lovely cabin wood and brass. (2) Second place would go to SS San Mateo. She also had a beautiful cabin, but it showed years of neglect. What a joy it was to watch her beautiful steam engine in full operation. Sometimes I think I can still smell the mix of hot oil and steam. (3) Third place is a tie between the Evergreen State class and MV Vashon. I agree that the Evergreens look like ferryboats should look. I can never forget, however, my many rides on the revered MV Vashon. Her slow Washington diesel had a special sound and character. Vashon was almost always reliable, but never in a hurry. But the question is about the current boats...
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Post by SS Shasta on Jan 2, 2010 9:57:20 GMT -8
But the question is about the current boats... But some of us have had the joy and honor of riding most all of the WSFerries. Why limit?
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Post by Barnacle on Jan 2, 2010 15:12:53 GMT -8
But the question is about the current boats... But some of us have had the joy and honor of riding most all of the WSFerries. Why limit? Because you didn't start the thread? ;D
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Post by BreannaF on Jan 2, 2010 17:30:11 GMT -8
But some of us have had the joy and honor of riding most all of the WSFerries. Why limit? Because you didn't start the thread? ;D I've got no objection to talking about historical boats, if that's the question. I think I was just originally trying to say that those were the boats I remembered seeing. I'm pretty sure that I would have been on some of those older ferries at one time or another. When I see the historic interior pictures, I know that I have been there before. I just would have been young enough to not remember the details of one from the other, anyway. So, it was really just a matter of not having enough info to form an opinion on the earlier boats.
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Rhody
Chief Steward
Posts: 108
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Post by Rhody on May 19, 2010 17:31:54 GMT -8
My favorite boat is the Rhody, I like her lines and there is no mistaking her for any other ferry because she is one of kind. (still in service)
I have yet to ride the Hiyu but I love the uniqueness of its design. Two passenger cabins that aren't connected?
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Post by Barnacle on May 20, 2010 6:48:20 GMT -8
It's kind of awkward to work as a crew member, but it is unique, yes.
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Rhody
Chief Steward
Posts: 108
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Post by Rhody on Jul 29, 2010 3:30:25 GMT -8
MV Puyallup approaching Kingston
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Rhody
Chief Steward
Posts: 108
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Post by Rhody on Jul 29, 2010 4:30:10 GMT -8
MV Rhododendron approaching Tahlequah
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elwha
Oiler (New Member)
I'm always merry when I'm near a ferry!
Posts: 33
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Post by elwha on Jun 10, 2015 20:16:13 GMT -8
All the Washington State Ferries have their signature smile. For me the Supers always seem to be mocking while the Klahowya seems to be happy and cheerful. Same for the Rhododendron. The smaller and older ferries seem to be cuter and more elegant.
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Post by withtheferries on Sept 24, 2020 10:49:48 GMT -8
Is it just me or are the mark II's bow/stern look VERY unpleasing?
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Post by avgeekjoe on Sept 26, 2020 16:12:35 GMT -8
Is it just me or are the mark II's bow/stern look VERY unpleasing? They're OK.
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Post by avgeekjoe on Sept 26, 2020 17:15:53 GMT -8
My list of fav WSF class ferries from most to least photogenic to me:
Olympic Super Jumbo Mk II Jumbo Issaquah 130 Evergreen State Kwa-di Tabil
I would slide the retired Steel Electrics above the Jumbo Mk IIs and the Chinook-class of fast ferries above the Olympic. The Skagit class above the Evergreen State and the Tyee slightly above the Kwa-di Tabil.
That said, due to the environmental impacts of wake wash I would have preferred modernized Supers over any of the choices above. Long, elegant Supers can go fast (around 20 knots) and get away with it.
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Post by withtheferries on Sept 26, 2020 20:56:33 GMT -8
My list of fav WSF class ferries from most to least photogenic to me: Olympic Super Jumbo Mk II Jumbo Issaquah 130 Evergreen State Kwa-di Tabil I would slide the retired Steel Electrics above the Jumbo Mk IIs and the Chinook-class of fast ferries above the Olympic. The Skagit class above the Evergreen State and the Tyee slightly above the Kwa-di Tabil. That said, due to the environmental impacts of wake wash I would have preferred modernized Supers over any of the choices above. Long, elegant Supers can go fast (around 20 knots) and get away with it. I actually think the Kwa's are 2nd best looking and the super's 3rd.
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