Day 404 & 405 Two for the price of one!

Today, you will get two posts for the price of one!!

Yesterday, we left East Inlet along Grenville Channel and made for Kelp Passage Cove next to Lewis Island and Porcher Island.  We upped anchor at 5:45 and took off to take advantage  of the out going tide.  Apparently, at Klewnuggit Inlet--right beside East Inlet, the tidal current splits and some goes both ways in Grenville Channel.  A fact that Nobeltec and their software don't know.  You can face a flood tide one moment figuring it will help you later and then it reverses and you get it right at you again.  We left during the later parts of the ebb tide and that helped us part of the way out of the channel.  We did see the spot where the tide changes and our speed dropped by over a knot.  

The only other big boat we saw was a BC Ferry heading South.  We never saw any big boats heading North which is fine with us.  They make a nasty wake that really throws us around.

We exited the channel and headed over to Lewis Island and into Kelp Passage Cove(54 00.859N  130 15.757W) and dropped the anchor.  Our "buddy boat", Astarte showed up about 10 minutes later.  They made better time being a power boat as they left about 45 minutes after us..  The anchorage got a bit hinky as the day passed.  While it was nice and Sunny, the cove had winds from the Northwest and a tide coming in from the Southeast.  The tide won and Zephyr kept her stern into the wind for a change.  As the tide turned, she swung around to face into the wind the way she is supposed to.

By early evening, we heard fog horns from the other side of the island that protected us.  By 2030 hours, the fog started flowing into our little cove in waves.  By 2130, we were pretty well enclosed.  Not peas soupy, but darn close.  We were a bit concerned as to what this morning would bring.

This morning dawned with some fog still in the cove and more outside it.  Astarte left shortly before us and headed out the East entrance.  They stopped about half way out when they ran into a big fog bank.  They were ready to turn around and come back and anchor when they saw us heading for the North entrance.  We talked on the radio and they decided to follow us.  If it got too bad, we would both turn back.  I took out the cord from the VHF radio inside Zephyr that runs our "new" fog horn(found in a "free" box at Sea Marine).  I turned on the VHF and keyed it to automatically sound the horn.  This way we can be on deck as it does its job.  Every 2.5 minutes, it sounds the horn for about 5 seconds. 

The North entrance to the cove had no where near the fog the East had.  We had primarily low clouds more than fog.  I shut off the horn shortly after we left the cove.  Two fishing boats that had been ahead of us moved out of the way as the fog horn sounded.

We took off across the sound avoiding all the "dead heads"(logs in the water) and made it into Prince Rupert(54 19.206N  130 19.215W) by 1100.  A 20.9 mile trip.  The previous days had  been 33.9 so today was a piece of cake.

We'd called Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club on Thursday afternoon as we entered Hartley Bay and made reservations and it's a good thing we did.  Astarte made theirs this morning as they crossed the bay and got the last spot.  The marina had even gone to some of the boats already tied up and asked them to leave as more boats were coming in and they were booked full.  We both had to wait a few minutes while they made room for us.

When we got off Zephyr, we checked the zinc fitting on the back of the propeller and found that it was finally gone.  One of the screws that holds it on had fallen out at some time over the past day or so since we had last checked.  I'm not sure how the screw came undone but it was gone.  We took off in search of a diver to replace it. 

When we checked in at the office, they gave us the name of a diver and I called him after we got back from Safeway.  I left a message to call me.  The girls in the yacht club office gave me another name to call but all their divers were gone for the weekend.  Those folks gave me another name and he answered his phone and said he'd be down in an hour or so and do the job.  An hour later he arrived and surveyed the job and left to get his equipment.  While he was gone, the first diver I called showed up.  I told him that I had already found a diver and he left.  

By the time the diver returned, I had another set of screws painted(stainless steel screws should not go against the zinc)to stop the reaction that happens between stainless steel and zinc.  It makes the zinc degrade faster.  We had installed the previous back at the end of February so it only lasted 13 weeks.  A short time for most zinc as they normally last about 9 months.

Our Telus cell phone won't work here even though it shows all the bars like Verizon so I sent them a email and asked why.  The Verizon wifi gizmo that has served us so well also doesn't work here as they don't have the equipment in Prince Rupert.  I emailed Verizon about that also.  Since we will be back in the US by tomorrow and in to Ketchikan by Wednesday, I will probably reactivate my US account for the wifi chip.  We'll see what their answer is the next time we can get internet.  I'm currently using the free wifi that the yacht club offers.

We called US customs and let them know we will be in Foggy Bay tomorrow(it's in the US) and into Ketchican by Tuesday.  You have to get approval to stop in Foggy Bay before checking into the US or they get huffy.  With that done, we are ready to go.  All we still have to do is fill the water tanks and we're set.

Well, that's about it for now but as always, there is more to come.

Day 403 Straight shot day

Today was pretty much a straight shot day. Once we hit Grenville Channel, it was a straight line all the way down it.

We upped the anchor about 0715 and took off for the channel. We had calculated the tides and currents and knew we had to wait till 0800 before we entered. That's when the current and tide change and go the opposite way. It would help us out--not much but every little bit helps the diesel fuel bill. The bad thing is that we were heading into 25 to 30 knot winds most of the time. It slowed us down some times to 3.8 knots and that is pretty much unheard of. I bumped the throttle and gave Zephyr some more juice and we slowly inched up to 5+ knots. Once the tide was turned and we could "ride it" we got up to 8.3 knots for a while near the end of the trip. All in all, we did our 34.4 miles in just under 6 hours. We left at 0715 and got in to East Inlet(53 42.926N 129 43.717W) at Klewnuggit Inlet at 1300. Not really that bad, all in all.

As we went down Grenville Channel, we had been told that it was the freeway for boats in the area. We saw only one large freighter and darn few other boats. About 4 miles into the channel, there was a bank of fog out in front of us. With it blowing so much, it was gone by the time we got to it. With the AIS(Automatic Identification System) down, we fired up the radar to help look out in front and behind us. We saw a few boats but only the one freighter as I said. We turned it off later in the trip.

We journeyed today with Astarte again. We left the anchorage first but they passed us a few miles into Grenville. We kept in radio contact all the way in. He told us about what to expect since he was out in front and I warned him of what was sneaking up on him(nothing).

Once we got to East Inlet and dropped the hook, Zephyr would not go into the wind as just about every boat is supposed to. They float downwind of their anchorage. Zephyr stayed at about 90 degrees to the wind. We started up the engine to try and get her to swing her stern around but she just refused. We weren't aground so she just sat there. It ended up that there is a stream close by and the current from it was more powerful than the wind. Once the tide changed and the streams input was diminished, we turned right into the wind. Astarte had gone through the same thing when they came in to anchor.

I spent the rest of the afternoon whipping the ends(wrapping a smaller waxed thread around the end of the line to keep it from unraveling) and cutting more line. The reefing lines(we have 3 sets of reefing points for the main sail) were all quite long. Much longer than I felt was necessary and it junked up the last with all this extra line hanging from cleats on it. Today I remeasured and cut and whipped the ends of the lines. Some I cut off over 20 feet of line to get it to a more proper length. I whipped each of the reefing lines with the number of the reef it was. The first reef got one "whipping". The second reef got two "whippings" and the third got three. All in red twine. When you need to reef(make a sail smaller but still have it up)you pull in on one of these lines which come out the bottom of the boom with the main sail only part way up. This line then pulls a set portion of the sail down to the boom and allows a much smaller area of sail to power the boat. This way, the boat doesn't heel over so far and is much safer to sail. It's a safety thing. If you have to much sail up in a blow, you can knock the boat over(bad thing).

Once the reefing lines were done, I worked my way around Zephyr checking everything that had line on it to make sure that the ends were properly done. Some people melt the ends of their lines once they have whipped the line but I leave my natural. Melting the ends puts a hard surface on the end and isn't good for the line. There were lots that still needed doing. I thought I had done all the lines on Zephyr but I guess not. Now,I think they are all done. But you know how that goes--there is always one that got missed. It will turn up in a few days.

Tracy made Red Chili Beef Enchiladas for dinner. It was all I could do to not finish the entire serving but I saved enough for lunch, probably tomorrow.

We have plotted a course for tomorrow and talked it over with Astarte and plan on being out of here about 0600 to catch the outgoing tide. If the figures are right, we could catch a 2.5 knot current. That would really push us along. I guess we will see tomorrow. I think we will be out of here before Astarte but they can go faster being a power boat. Lets hope the wind is more forgiving tomorrow.

We will be in Prince Rupert(weather permitting) by Sunday and probably stay for a day or two until the parts we are waiting for arrive.

Have a great weekend everyone. Of course, by the time I can get back on the internet, it may be over.

Day 402 One last soak.

By the time we got up this morning, five of the ten boats from the previous night were gone. The infamous "fishing" boat of yesterdays post that rafted up to our friends on Astarte left at 0200!! Yeah, that's right---2:00AM!!! Just started up their engines and their high power lights and took off. The rest left early in the morning. I helped Astarte get off the dock as the wind was pushing them into it. He did a great job maneuvering his boat out since he was very close to two other boats behind him. Once he left, the other two boats--the ones that came into the dock shortly after us left also. They had rafted up the previous night and when the outside boat(steel) left, (he had already taken his fenders off his boat(the big rubber balls that kept the boats apart) he scraped all along the side of the other mans boat. Steel versus fiberglass--guess who looses? With a thud(as he hit him) and a screech he powered out. He screamed back that he was sorry and hoped everything was all right--"are you alright?" . I guess that is another reason for insurance companies. That left just one other boat anchored out in the bay. Tracy and I decided we would go up for one last soak in the hot springs. A bath first and then the "hot" tub room. Later, into the outside tub that's a bit cooler. Then back into the "hot" tub for one last soak. It was beautiful sitting in a beautiful surroundings just soaking.

Once back to Zephyr, we made hasty tracks to be away by 1000 so we could make the ebb tide at the North end of Gribbell Island so we could gain some speed on our way to Hartley Bay. The tide was going out and we wanted to catch it. Once over the North side of the island, we rolled out the Genoa sail to catch the winds coming down the Verney Passage. Of course as soon as we did, within 40 minutes, the winds died. In came the sail and back with motoring.

As we passed the end of Verney Passage at the South end of Hawkesbury Island, I checked for an internet connection and phone service. Yep, I could get on line. I checked my emails and downloaded some for reading later. I called Boat US to get coverage for Alaska. Every time we leave an area, it costs more. Getting coverage up to Bella Bella was an additional $104. To get coverage from Bella Bella to Glacier Bay, Alaska was an additional $138--and that is only for a one month coverage!!! When I called about getting coverage to Alaska back on May 23, I was told to call back as the gentleman could only give me coverage to Bella Bella. This was the first time I could get phone service since then. When I called in today, the lady asked me if I had filled out the application for insurance for Alaska? Say what? What application? Apparently, there is a form application that is normally filled out to get coverage when you take your boat to Alaska. I was told to simply call in for a "rider" on my policy. She said she would have to check and get back with me in a few minutes. I, of course, stopped getting phone service soon after she hung up!! Isn't it always that way? When you need it, it looses service.

I knew that there was cell service at Hartley Bay and we had passed South of Promise Island that protects Hartley Bay and that was why we had lost the phone service. So we rounded the South tip of the island and headed up the Coghlan Anchorage just South of Hartley. Nope, no phone service. So we went all the way up the channel to Hartley Bay just to check to see if there were any spots left at their docks. We called the office on VHF radio and asked. Their response--"Come in and look". Boy, now that is great service!! I checked and my phone would work outside the harbor, so I called the insurance folks back knowing that there was no way the previous agent could have called me. The gentleman I got just checked the policy and told me that all he needed was more money and I would be covered. Sounds like just about any old insurance company doesn't it? There were no forms to be filled out, just give us money. I could get a policy for a week or a month. We went with the month(til July 5) so now we have coverage just in case anything happens.

We slowly motored into Hartley Bay to check for space and quickly decided against it. Too crowded, plus our friends on Astarte called us on VHF and told us it was too hot and they were considering leaving. We invited them to join us back down at Coghlan Anchorage(52 23.922N 129 17.201W) and turned Zephyr around and headed back down the channel. It was only about a mile so no big deal. Shortly after we dropped our anchor, Astarte came down and joined us. We had a nice breeze to keep ourselves cool. I even opened the dorade vents(big wind scoops on deck) to send cooler air below decks. With the engine just turned off, it was hot down there. There are just three of us on this side of the anchorage so it's anything but crowded.

We settled in and I went below and checked the engine oil, transmission fluid, the water in the cooling system and the hydraulic steering fluid. I check all of them EVERY day before we ever start up the engine. Heck, some time I forget that I checked them since I do it so often and will check them again later. It's just part of being on the water. There are times that you might be anchored in an inlet that may not see another person for weeks and the last thing you want to do is start an engine that doesn't have oil in it or a transmission that has lost all its fluid. Hey, paranoia is my friend!!!

After dinner(chicken curry!!!!YUM), I started repairing some of our dock lines. One line was so thick that Tracy has always had problems getting it through the fittings and around the cleat. I "retired" it and stowed it away for use during the next hurricane that we are in and pulled out another line from our locker. A quick "whipping" of the end of the line and that one was ready. When you cut line, it will either unwrap itself if it's three strand nylon, or the ends will fray if it's a braided line. To properly take care of the ends of line, you wrap or "whip" smaller string--normally waxed thread around the ends of the lines preferably before you cut the line to size. This way, the line will stay the way it is supposed to and not fall apart. Some people color code their dock lines for each area where it is to be used---forward, midship, or stern. Some just label the whipped area with F, M, or S. Tracy wanted one line shortened so I had to "whip" two places on it and cut between the "whippings".

The kids were out roaming the deck and chasing bugs and just laying out in the cooler air trying to relax this evening. Showshoe was in his "club house"--under the dingy again. He loves it under there. He's always in the shade under there and the breeze flows right through. The other two just sit in the shade and stare out over the water. They no longer seem to fear the engine. As a matter of fact, they have all started coming up into the cockpit while we are out and even Shadow--our 17 year old kitty wanders around the deck as we are moving along. A big improvement for him since he didn't even come up on deck till about a month ago.

Well, tomorrow we are off for Grenville Channel. The tide turns at 0750 so we will have to be ready to enter at that time so that the current will help us on our way instead of fighting us. We'll up anchor by 0700 to be there on time. The channel is just down South of where we are tonight. We are closing in of Prince Rupert. Everyday brings us closer. I was smart(Tracy told me to do it) and called the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club and made reservations for Sunday and Monday night. This time of year, they start getting busy and we wanted to make sure we had a space set aside for us. I talked(emailed) Southeast Marine down in Oregon and they are forwarding a part to me there so we will be waiting for it. A great couple of guys. They sold us our DuoGen and or AIS system and have been there for us to help in any way they can. They even offered to come down and help us install the DuoGen on our way up to Port Townsend. All we had to do was pull into the Columbia River and tie up. If you have been following our passage since last year, you will remember that our way up the coast from Newport was in 35 knot winds and 20 foot seas. The river entrances all along the coast we closed. I learned how to install it my self many months later but still with some instructions from them.

Well, it's off to bed as morning will be coming soon.

Day 401 A day off sort of.

Another day in gorgeous sunshine. We were both in shorts today and had a sunshade over the stern cockpit area to keep the rays out it was so warm.

I started the day by changing the oil in the diesel injector pump. That's the gizmo that the diesel fuel goes into and then gets metered and zapped into the injectors or some such thing. All I know is that the oil is supposed to be changed about every 50 hours depending on who you talk to. The original owners manual says 50 hours. On the internet, they say 100 is fine. I did it at 62.

It takes 12 ounces of motor oil to do its job so when I drained it I checked to see how much came out. You know there is a problem if there's a lot more. The last time I changed it, I got more of a mixture of oil and diesel. This time, at 62 hours, I got only 13 ounces and it was the consistency of all oil which is a great improvement. I'd thought of having it rebuilt but had been advised that if the engine was running fine, just go back to the 50+ hour schedule and see what happens. Well, I guess all is fine. YEAH!!

Tracy went at scrubbing down the deck to get rid of the dirt that keeps coming on board. It takes a while to get done continually bring water on board via a bucket and splash down the decks and then scrub them. There's no garden hose to do the job like at a house. Bucket after bucket. It looks lots better.

Next, Tracy put another layer of varnish at the bow where the teak had to be replaced late last Summer after we found that it had rotted. The workman had put on probably one or two coats but it had pretty much worn off by this Spring. We'll add a few more coats over the next few days to build it up. WIth the anchor up there that has to be raised and lowered regularly, there is a good bit of foot traffic on that teak. I have to stand on it to put the anchor snubber(line with a hook on it to take strain off the windlass while we are at anchor)on the chain after we drop anchor. It already look much better.

Our friends, Kevin and Terri on Sonnish Na Mara took off today for Hartley Marina. about 25 miles West. We plan on following them over today. Tuesday had 6 boats here at Bishop Bay. By late yesterday, we were at 10, with 5 of us tied up to the small dock. We found out yesterday morning that the two boats that had anchored out had drug their anchors(anchors pulled out) and drifted about a half mile before the owners woke up and realized what had happened. One woke up the other and they both motored back into the cove. The books say that the holding isn't that great and I guess they were right.

As each boat came in, the dingies just kept on coming as group after group was headed for the hot springs for a bath and a soak. We had some boats just pull in, tie up, soak in the tub and then leave while most dropped anchor for the night. They were arriving till after 2000 hours. The last, a large steel fishing boat(about 36 feet) pulled in with no intension of anchoring. He was going to raft up to anyone at the dock and he didn't seem to care what the other boat owner said or did. He came straight at our boat and then decided that he would go to the other side. We were below, but watched him come in. The two if the other boat owners were sitting in chairs at the end of the dock enjoying the evening. As he passed them, he asked if anyone of them owned our boat. Since they said no, he then saw our friends boat Astarte that had pulled in about 1000 that morning and decided they would be fine to raft up to even though the owners weren't there to say yes or no. In they came, this big steel boat with only one fender out. Out came a second and they just tied up to Astarte. The "captain" didn't care. He was coming in. Now while it may have been a commercial fishing boat at some time, I don't think it was any more as the other 5 crew members were young adults--both men and women--already in swim suits ready for the springs. The owners of Astarte came back just after he was tied up and the people, including their dog were tromping across their boat for the dock and heading for the pool. Our friends were certainly not impressed. We already had 4 boats tied to this poor little dock and adding a fifth, not to mention a big steel boat was putting a good bit of strain on the anchoring system that keeps it here. It's normally common courtesy to at least ask if you can tie up, not just pull in and do it. He was not about to take no for an answer and didn't. He was the last boat in for the night. We ended up with 10 in the bay with dingies coming and going all the time. I just found out that the fishing boat took off at 0200 this morning.

At 1700, the folks from Astarte joined us at the springs for a nice soak and a chat. It was nice sitting and soaking and telling stories. A nice dinner and watch the boats come in and out.

We're off today for Hartley Marina. We'll fill up our water tanks and if we're lucky, have internet so you can read this blog. This will be the last stop before Grenville Channel. A 45 mile cut that will take us on the last leg toward Prince Rupert and the Canadian border. We should be in Alaska in a week or so depending on how long we spend in Prince Rupert and the weather.

As always, more to come. Stay tuned.

Day 400 Wow!

Day 400!! So much has happened since I started this blog. We learned so much it's hard to think back to how green we were when we started and how much more informed we are now versus then. It's been quite the learning curve over the past 400 days. Each day brings more knowledge and insight for the coming journey.

We were up at 0445 to be fed and underway from Bottleneck Inlet before 0600 to see how far we could get. We knew how far we wanted to get but weren't sure Mother Nature would oblige. We studied the tides and currents for the next leg and thought we could do it.

We headed up Finlayson Channel and headed for Hiekish Narrows, another set of "rapids". The rip through isn't that bad but again timing is everything. We got there about 90 minutes before slack tide so we could ride the outgoing tide for the rest of the Narrows and into Graham Reach. Unfortunately, the tide in Graham Reach goes the opposite way so once we were out in it, it slowed us down and the wind got stronger(of course straight at us). We slowed down to the mid 5 knot range for quite a while.

The boat we had "buddied" with the previous day were about three hours behind us and radioed on VHF to check to see where we were. They had stopped the previous day South of Klemtu at Clothes Bay while we had pressed on to Bottleneck Inlet. We were just passed Swanson Bay on the East side of Graham Reach and still heading Norh(sort of). They had planned on staying the night in Swanson Bay. It was only just after 1000 hours and we wanted to press on as it was just too early to stop for the day. The next inlet was Khutze and then nothing for the next 34 miles--Bishop Bay. We checked the tides--slightly against us for a short while and then as we got just a bit farther North, they would be in our favor.

As I have said in previous posts, we are still learning tides. They just don't have them in Colorado. The odd thing is that as we went out Graham Reach toward Butedale Passage, we were being pushed by a flood tide heading North on Graham with it about to change to an ebb tide just as we reached Butedale. Well, the ebb tide reverses at Butedale and on to Fraser Reach at the North end of Butedale. So instead of ebb tide coming up against us when it changed, it ended up going with us help us make a bit more speed. Now how a tide can go one way during a flood and then shortly after that reversing it course and go the opposite way is beyond me but that is exactly what it did. We were still going into a good 15-20 knot(straight at us of course)wind but the current was helping us. We could make 5.5 to 6.5 knots.

On we pressed. As we reached the midway of Fraser Reach, around the corner ahead of us came the British Columbia Ferry Northland Explorer out from McKay Reach and about to head down our reach. We listened to them check in with the BC traffic control on channel 11. We keep two radios in the cockpit. One tuned to 11 for ship traffic and one on 16 for communications with other boats. I could set it to scan between the two but I've found it drains the batteries faster than running two radios. We keep one of one side of the cockpit and one on the other so we know what and who is transmitting when someone talks. Traffic control told them to watch out for a Northward bound sailboat heading up Fraser Reach. Hey---that's us!! Now how they knew we were a sailboat other than the fact we were only doing 5+ knots I don't know. Power boats tend to do a lot faster than that as they pass us by. The ferry stayed on his side of the channel and we stayed on ours. No problems other than a bit of wake shortly after he passed us. He sure was a big ferry.

Once we reached the end of Fraser Reach, we hit the junction of McKay Reach and Ursula Channel. We headed North into Ursula and made for Bishop Bay about 8 miles North. As always, the winds still came ripping at us at 15+ knots. We were lucky to make 5.5 knots the rest of the way. Bishop Bay was in reach.

We pulled in a bit after 1500 and headed into the bay. It's a good 3 miles to where we planned on anchoring. Bishop Bay has a hot spring and is one of the most popular places to stop along this route. They have even put in a dock for boat but most will anchor out. We figured there would be lots of boats as we rounded the point. NOPE!! We were the only boat!! We would have the place to ourselves. There had been no boats following us up the channel so we would be set. Al lwe had to do was pull up to the dock. Once, twice, three times we tried. I could get the bow in but then the wind would shift and blow the stern off the dock. Over and over. It was getting a bit frustrating but we kept at it. As we made our fourth shot, we see another boat rounding the point. So much for having the place to ourselves. This time we made it and got all secured. We were into Bishop Bay( 53 28.228N 128 50.196 W).

The next to come in had just as much a problem getting onto the dock. He came in on the opposite side and almost ran straight into the dock. We grabbed his bow and pulled him along side the dock. He jumped off and finally got dock lines and found some fenders and got himself all secured. Why he didn't have them ready when he got to the dock, it don't understand. His wife just sat below never coming up on deck to help. They told us one of their friends was coming and would be in shortly. We offered to have them raft up to us(tie another boat to our outside side). They said they thought they had enough room on their side of the dock.

We let them use the hot springs before us so we finally got up to them shortly after 1700. Tracy first. She loved it. It was just the right temperature. There is an outside bath area to wahing before your get into the main hot spring tank. A few years ago, a group of teenagers came in and built different tubs for the springs. A "bath" area. An outside hot spring tub area and another that is inside a nice building. There are causeways connecting the dock from the springs so it's really great. No having to go through mud to get to them. I went last and as I finished, I saw or "buddy boat" Sonnish Na Mara start to pull up to our boat to raft with us. They had planned on stopping at Swanson Bay but found that they could not get their anchor to set after several tries. So rather than staying, they decided to head for Bishop like us. They were here by 1800 hours and all rafted up.

It was great to see them again and swap stories of the trip as they were just a few hours behind us. They had face less winds and better currents so they made better time. Their boat is also a bit smaller and lighter which I'm sure also helped them make good time. We sat outside and chatted for a while and then they took off for the springs and their turn. Two more boats came in over the rest of the afternoon so we ended up with 6 for the night. Four on the docks and two anchored out.

We had traveled 55.2 miles and felt like spending an extra day here since we had pushed so hard to get here. So here we are for a second day. A few more chores to do and more time in the tubs. We're living the dream. Life is good.

Day 399 Push Push Push

We left Shearwater Marina this morning just after 0600 and took off for parts unknown. Well, sort of unknown. Depending on the weather would decide on where we ended for the day. Yesterday, the two digital barometers on board said different things. One said that all heck was about to break loose. Lightening and rain. The other said sunny and fair. By late yesterday, they were just the opposite.

Today dawned absolutely beautiful again. The past few days have been absolutely great. Almost shorts weather!! It stayed gorgeous all day--or at least so far. Now the wind was another matter. They were honking anywhere from 10 to 30 knots.

Today was the first time we have "Buddy Boated". We joined another boat for the trip today. Sonnish Na Mara with her crew of Kevin and Terri lead the way as they have been up here several times before. They're the couple that we traded books with yesterday. Kevin had gone through the charts with us telling us good places and how to get there. We followed them up into Seaforth Channel just North of Shearwater and we rolled out the Genoa and motor sailed for the first time in quite a while. We throttled back on the engine and let her rip. We were doing 6.5 to 7 knots and just flying right along. We turned right and went between Watch Island and Ivory Island and headed up Reid Passage. A short cut to allow us to avoid having to go out into Milbanke Sound. With the winds we were having, I'm sure it was anything but pleasant out there. We passed Oliver Cove and through Perceval Passage. Another set of rapids to add to our list. We were an hour late getting there-- or at least at perfect time, but still made it through just fine.

Up Mathieson Channel and through Jackson Narrows. Another set of rapids though no where near what we faced down South and out into Finlayson Channel for the final slug of the trip. Our "buddy boat" took off for Clothes Bay just South of Klemtu on the West side of Finlayson. We continued on to Bottleneck Inlet(52 42.587N 128 24.065W). A lovely inlet that protects us from just about all the winds in the area. We were in 25 knot+ winds just outside the entrance and it dropped down to just about zero. I put up the DuoGen just incase any cropped up. We can always use what amps we can find.

On the way out Seaforth Channel, we came upon two humpback whales as they headed East and past our boat. It's the first we've seen on this trip. We've seen lots of seals and dolphins or porpoises(can't tell them apart yet) but no whales till today. They were having a great time blowing and rolling in the water. The farther North we get, the smaller the mountains are that surround us and the waters we are in. I always thought that they would be much taller. Maybe in Alaska.

We're getting closer to Prince Rupert and should be there within a week easy. Then on to Alaska and the glaciers.

Once we pulled into Bottleneck Inlet, another boat that has been on the same course as us on the trip North was already here. They had left Shearwater yesterday and spent the night near Jackson Narrows(second rapids of the day) and pulled in here by 1130. They dingied over to talk as we have seen each other several times during this last week. They brought along their puppy who had just finished playing in the water along the shore. Snowshoe has only seen one other dog in his life and none up this close. As for the puppy, he has never seen a cat so both just sort to stared at each other. The little puppy sort of growled but since Showshoe had no idea what a growl was, he just walked to the stern and ignored the puppy.

That's about it for today. The "dripless" fitting on the prop shaft only put out a bit of water today and the Aqua Drive didn't appear to spary out any grease. So it was a good day with lots of miles covered. We're getting closer to the prize.

Day 398 Ready to take off tomorrow.

We spent the day on more repairs and inspection Zephyrs systems. The day dawned absolutely beautiful. The forecast was high winds--25 to 35 knots. It never showed up so some of our friends took off today instead of tomorrow. We stayed here and did some work that needed doing.

I changed out the pencil zinc that is in the "heat exchanger" that's attached to the engine. It wasn't to bad but I felt it needed changing. The zincs purpose is to stop other pieces of metal corroding due to stray electrical current.

Next, I got rid of all the old oil that I drained from the engine at my last servicing. I'd had to stow it under the stern bunk until I got some place that would take it and that place was here. They took the old filter too.

I re-swaged(wrapped wire around the fitting so it won't come loose) the end of the anchor onto its shackle so that it won't come loose. The previous wire I had used had broken over time and it needed to be replaced. Tough to do when the anchor is always at the bottom of anchorage when you have time to replace it.

I checked every fitting and screw on deck as well as every bolt to make sure they were all good and tight. I don't need any kind of equipment failure. I check all of them at least once a month or more as time allows. We've already come close to loosing some important equipment due to a loose bolt.

Into the engine room and after the propeller shaft seal. I loosened the fitting and tried to slide the big stainless steel disc that makes the seal just a bit farther down the prop shaft. The factory specs say that I should be at 8.175" and I was at 8.375" as far as the compression of the fitting. The darn thing wouldn't budge so I tightened the set screws and started the engine just to make sure the shaft was still sealed. So far, it is keeping out most of the water. There are just a few drips as it spins and it's been that way for quite some time. I email the manufacturer for advise as to how to get it slid just that 1/4" farther down the shaft. With luck I hear while I still have internet access.

On to the Aqua Drive. I checked the bolts that hold it to the transmission and they are on tight. No give there. There is a small rubber cone that holds the grease and it may have broken. Not sure yet so I cleaned up all the grease and will check it after tomorrows usage.

We went over to the fuel dock and got Zephyr filled up. We expect tobe leaving tomorrow at about 0600 and they won't be open. Too just over 60 gallons so with my figuring, we are averaging a gallon per hour or about 7 knots to the gallon. Not bad for a boat this big and heavy.

I worked on the other computer to try and find out why the AIS won't work. The folks at Nobeltec sent me a list of things to check to see if there even was a connection between the computer and the AIS equipment. As it turns out, there isn't. The device that changes the signal from a 9 pin connection to a USB connection has apparently died and isn't allowing the signal through to the computer. I will need to find another probably in Prince Rupert. I already have email the people that sold it to me as well as the manufacturer to see if they will replace it. It's got a two year warranty and I've only had it for about 17 months. I got it at Christmas a year and a half ago.

We hooked up the satellite dish for Direct TV. Still works this far North. You know, I'm not really missing much with no regular service. TV tonight was really quite bad. Oh well.

Well, it's off to bed. We are planning on leaving at 0600 and that's early in my book.

More to come when I can. I have to admit, we are seeing a lot less people up here the farther North we get.