Day 123 The power of the Hudson

Like I told you yesterday, the "Hudson Effect" has descended on Port Townsend.  It blew and it rained and it blew(20+ knots) and it rained(sideways) the rest of yesterday.   It stopped all outside work on Zephyr.  the fore peak--pointy end of the boats teak didn't get refitted.  It was just too nasty.  Our electrician on the other had did get some stuff done.

I started the day with a nice shower and shave.  It felt great to be clean again.  When I got back to Zephyr, Jack was just coming on board so I grabbed the laundry and took off for the washers.  Two plus hours later, when I returned, Jack had torn up and taken out lots of wires.  For some strange reason, the boat has a lot of wire on it that is normally used in homes, not in boats.  House wire is solid copper.  Boat or marine wire is multi strand copper.  Where the wires come into the boat, it is multi strand to the engine compartment and then got switched out to a solid wire to run the rest of the way over to the inverter and charger.  Jack ripped all that out and ran new heavier gauge wire--multi strand-- the rest of the way.  He just keeps shaking his head in amazement that we hadn't shorted out the entire system.  

Now keep in mind that for the most part, it had worked fine for the past 26 years.  Jack is just a different kind of electrician.  He wants everything "just so" and no less.  

 The other "Zephyr" that I have discussed in an earlier blog that limped in to Point Hudson with a blown engine is all wired in Romex!!!!  That's the wire that is used around houses that is clad in aluminum!!!  Not good for boats!!  

We weren't sure that Jack would have us reconnected to shore power as he disappeared for several hours in the afternoon.  He went to get a part and didn't come back for quite some time.  He gets way laid regularly as he is the lead electrician in the yard.  He gets more done after they close than when they are open.  It was blowing at about 20 knots so both Tracy and I went below decks--we normally stay in the cockpit while Jack is there--and hid out in the stern cabin reading.  It was strange to just sit and read--especially in bed.  Jack stayed till 5:45 to make sure we were reconnected and said he would return today in the afternoon to make up for the time he lost when he was sick.  Everyone is trying hard to get us done on schedule.

The woodworker--Robin-- that is replacing the teak on the bow didn't get it done since it was pouring.  Can't say I blame him.  He asked if it was alright to come over this weekend and get it done if the weather is nicer--ie dryer.  No problem there.  

It poured and blew well into the evening(boy we are powerful).  The boat yard had scheduled a cruise for all the employees for for late afternoon.  They have a party the last Friday of each month.  We went to the last one--new to the yard and were invited to this one also by one of the owners.  With the wind and rain--it got cancelled.   We bundled up with sweaters and coats and walked down the main street to find a place for dinner.  It had stopped raining for a bit and we chanced it.  Found a nice restaurant--The Public House.  Nice atmosphere but the food left something to be desired.  High prices for what you got and not much flavor.  Oh well, you live and you learn.   There are lots of of other places to try. 

Here are two pictures of the zincs that attach to the rudder.  The new and the partially eaten.  The ones I removed were almost gone.  Not much holding them on.  The one on the left is actually not in bad shape but will probably be replaced so we don't have to do it again before 

the next haul out.  The stray electrical current just eats away at this soft metal and leave the more valuable metal on the boat alone.   If you know, add a comment to the blog and let the 

rest of us know.

It is supposed to get to 60 this afternoon.  If it's sunny, that will be just fine.  Lots of clouds now so time will tell.  The Farmers Market is this morning so we will probably go and see if they have anything interesting.  Can't buy much since our space is still quite limited.  A few veggies wouldn't hurt.

We picked a bunch of blackberries Thursday evening and Tracy baked a Blackberry Buckle.  English desert.  We had to look hard as most aren't ripe yet.  Sure tasted good.  There are lots of bushes around here.  They are treated as weeds by most as they grow quickly and have lots of sharp thorns.  While the berries are great, keeping from getting stuck can be a challenge.  I'm not sure I would want them on our property unless it was as an intruder barrier.  It would be perfect for that.

I can actually see the sun breaking through the clouds.  Everyone here hope Mother Natures gets all this out of her system before the Wooden Boat Festival next weekend.  It would be less than pleasant.