Sophie C or Doris E?
 

Sitting and enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail and believe that I just saw either the Sophie C or Doris E heading west up The Broads in front of Rattlesnake Island. I've seen these boats millions of times over by the Weirs but never in our neck of the woods. are these boats currently being chartered?

I saw the same thing when it was heading towards Alton on the other sided of Diamond and Rattlesnake. I was just going to ask the same question.

I was showing my Mother around the lake the other day & we also saw it out that way. She said she saw an ad for tours on them somewhere, she couldn't remember where she had seen it.

Doris E
 

I've been on a couple of chartered cruises on Doris E. Both times the route was tailored to what the group requested.

It was the Doris E.
 

We were surprised to see her on our end of the lake... I used binoculars. There are differences in the two boats when you see them together that is easy to see. I just don't remember which is which.

IG

To quickly identify which is which --

Look at the bow numbers -- although you cannot make them out from a distance it is fairly clear that one has two lines of Print and the other only a single line.

The Doris only carry's her bow numbers (single line of print)
The Sophie C has two lines of print - her bow numbers which are over the words U.S. Mail Boat.


There is a suttle distinction in the Helm area, but that is hard to determine or distinguish if you don't see them regularly.



footnote -- the Sophie C is twin screwed & produces the largest wake (yes, significantly larger than the Mount - so beware )

Sophie C
 

Sophie C is longer in legth. More room aft than the Doris E. Sophie C and Doris E are both single screw. The wake is bigger due to hull design and displacement. The Mount's wake changed drastically after she had her hull lengthened.
WJT2

Sophie C
 

From a distance an easy way to tell is the Sophie has a slanted aft end and the Doris is squared off.

Twins
 

The Sophie C has twin engines

Quick...is that Sophie or Doris?

Here's a brief description of the fleet:

http://www.cruisenh.com/vessels.php

My eyes say it's Doris E !!

It's the Doris E.

Sophie C. 76ft 18ft beam SINGLE Screw Caterpillar Diesel

Doris E 68ft 16ft beam Twin Screw John Deer Diesels

Take a ride on both boats! No way you will mistake them for each other again!

Doris E
 

I believe the pic is the Doris E.

I got it backwards! This man really, really knows what he is talking about!

He has piloted all three!

That is Doris. I always can tell from the stern. This great shot (one of my favorites) of the ladies shows the difference:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo.../IMG_03301.JPG

After renting for many many years across from FL#1 watching them both come and go .... you get better at learning to distinguish them.

Easiest way still is try to make out whether its one line of print or two on the bow ..... although you can't read them - it is discernible from quite a distance.


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From a profile view, the rub-rail on the Sophie C has a 'step' just aft of the bow, where the Doris E has a rub-rail that follows a continuous line.

That's actually how I chose Doris E for the Pic that Don posted, the Bow numbers were not visible do to glare.

but quite honestly with my aging brain ... I never seem to remember which has the step vs not :D .. :D


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Our family chartered the Sophie for a "big" birthday celebration a few years back. It. Was. Awesome! The Captain helped us choose the route and it was great. If you ever have the chance I would recommend it. Everyone in our party had a wonderful time.