Day 251 Blow me down!!

When we got back from out trip(about 4pm) to Sequim on Sunday, the winds were hitting into the mid-40 knot range.  There had been a weather advisory on the radio as we came back but we couldn't receive it on our car radio.  An AM frequency we couldn't get for some reason.  Apparently the winds earlier in the afternoon were even higher.  They had been clocked at Port Townsend--about 1.5 miles down the road--at 70mph!!  I'd left the DuoGen up and running while we were gone and it was spinning to beat the band.  Lots of Amps were being made for the batteries.  I lowered the unit upon our return as I didn't want to stress it more than I had to.  Matt--one of the owners of Sea Marine--had come down to the docks to help some people onto their boat that they(Sea Marine) had been working on.  An older wood boat that had a great deal of their hull replaced.  I can't imagine how much their bill was.  He commented to me when I saw him how fast the DuoGen was running during the wind storm.  

The wind started dieing down after sunset and was just about gone by midnight.  Yesterday, there was no wind all day.  Today, we are back to the winds--15-20 knots with more rain in the forecast.

While in Sequim, we bought the replacement cartridge for the galley faucet.  A Moen faucet that would only give us hot water.  Never any cold no matter where the handle was.  I checked out their website and saw how easy it was to replace the cartridge--a lot easier than changing the faucet so since no one in the local area had one, we picked up the cartridge in Sequim.  Out with the old and in with the new and now we have cold water in the galley.  Another small project done.

We picked up a Honeywell weather station while at Costco.  Our previous weather station(we've had for years) was slowly dieing and needed replacing.  This baby comes with not only a barometer, clock, and three temperature monitors--one for outside the boat, one for in the refrigerator(see how cold it is in there) and the main unit, but a anemometer(wind gauge) and a rain gauge.  With all the rain this area gets this time of year, we'll see how much it reads.  I mounted the anemometer on a board I tied to the stern rail to see what the wind is near the DuoGen.  It's actually quite a bit less than at the top of the mast.  Now it's all programmed and up and running.

A boater brought his small sailboat up a few days ago to have Sea Marine work on it.  He tied it up to another boat behind us over the weekend.  With all the wind over the last few days, it had gotten pushed under the haul out dock and it's outboard motor bracket had gotten stuck so that each time the tide went up, it was under the dock as the water rose.  It bent the bracket and if the tide had continued to rise, it could have sunk the boat.  I alerted the marina manager and he showed up a while later and Sea Marine got him all hauled out.  He got lucky.  He could have lost his boat

Day 249 Sunshine!

Friday was absolutely bizarre.  We had SUNSHINE all day!!  From the time the Sun came up to it going down, it was sunny.  You folks in Colorado have no idea how good you have it.  A full day of sunshine here is a gift from the Gods.  We stayed outside as much as possible.  Running errands, taking walks, working outside or just sitting in the cockpit.  We just baked it in.  All that wonderful vitamin D.  Just about all work inside was suspended.  It was strange as it was overcast and snowing/raining in Seattle yet beautiful here.  What a day!!

We did get a chance to see a Catalina sailboat playing "bumper boats"in the marina.  For some reason, he decided to sail out of the marina.  He started out from one of the slips and just kept going back and forth under just his head sail.  Hit one boat, turn around, hit another boat, turn around.  Back and forth.  Either a boat or a piling, he slowly made is way out of the marina.  People just stood there and watched him smack his way out.  Either his engine didn't work, or he did it on a dare, it was a stupid thing to do especially since the wind was coming straight into the marina entrance.  No one said all boaters are smart.

Yesterday, it was back to normal.  15 to 20 knot winds again straight into the marina with clouds and intermittent sunshine--or at least a bit of blue sky.  I finally installed the 12 volt outlet in the stern stateroom.  Of course the first length of 12 gauge wire I bought for the installation was to short.  Back to West Marine again.  Boy they love me there.  I found an empty circuit breaker and threaded the wire behind the bulkheads--in and out, up and down.  Each turn fastened to either another wire with a zip tie or screwed down.  The fittings at the ends were crimped and sealed with shrink tube to keep out moisture--lots of that on boats--so that corrosion doesn't cause the connection to fail.  It's the way I was taught by the now famous "Jack the electrician".  Before then, I would simply crimp the connection with connectors from the local hardware store instead of proper marine fastener.  I used it last night and it worked just fine.  Another project down.

Went through lots more magazines after the installation.  Still more to clean out.  Once we are done with them, they go up to the laundry room for anyone else to take as they see fit.  It beats just throwing them away.

 

Today, off to Sequim for a Costco/Home Depot run.  We need some more supplies and some tools that just aren't available here in Port Townsend.  We have been having a problem with the faucet in the galley.  It only puts out hot water no matter where the handle is.  I took some of it apart yesterday and called the manufacturer(Moen) about it.  Apparently, there is a cartridge inside it that will need to be replace to make it work properly.  No hardware stores locally carry them.  So it's road trip time.  Snow and rain are scheduled for later today so we will be off later this morning.  Hi ho, it's off to Sequim we go.

Day 246 Happy New Year!!!

And so we start a new year.  Last year was quite the transition year.  It's hard to believe all the changes that have happened in the past 12 months.

January through April:  Plan and pack and get the business sold.  Looking back, it seems like a lot longer ago and was a lot longer than it was.  Time is relative I guess.

From May on is another matter.  Having moved on board at the very end of April down in Newport Oregon was the start of a new chapter in our lives.  We left behind a great deal of security to experience a dream we had dreamed of for many years.  Now it was becoming a reality.  Life was supposed to become a lot simpler.  Nope, afraid not.  Our surrounding were but our lives just got filled with lots more jobs.

Every project that we though would take just a few hours ended up taking, in many times, days instead.   Just getting a mechanic to come to Zephyr took over 3 1/2 weeks though I had called and made contact with one before we even left Denver.  

We both had lots to learn of Zephyrs systems and operations.  What to do and what not to do.  What needed attention and what was fine.  While we have been sailing since the early 80's, we were in a whole new territory.  Zephyrs systems were unlike anything we had ever tackled before.  From redoing bilge pumps to rewiring the systems on Zephyr to working on a diesel engine.  Everything became a very large learning experience.  And believe me, we are the better for it. 

On the outside, Zephyr was a pristine boat, but lurking below the surface there were areas that needed attention.  We learned how to fiberglass holding tanks in the head.  When the seams of the holding tanks split, the last thing you want coming into your boat is what they hold.  We learned where the bilge was and how to clean it--over and over again--as water and other things found their way down there.  I am proud to say, I am a close friend of our bilge having cleaned it at least 8 times over this past year.  A clean bilge is a happy bilge--or at least a lot less stinky.

We've learned about all our standing rigging.  Those are the wires that hold up the mast(the big pole in the center of the boat that the sails attach to for you land lubbers;-) ).  While ours were original to when Zephyr was made(1982) and we had been told they were fine, we felt it prudent to get then changed.  With our plans to circumnavigate the world, just for peace of mind(and safety) it was at the top of the list to get done.  It took a BIG chunk out of our bank account, but we will feel a lot better sailing knowing that what is up there is new and done correctly.  We could have hired any number of riggers but we chose Brion Toss and Gordon here in Port Townsend to do the job.  We know the job has been done right.

Getting to Port Townsend from Newport was one of our biggest learning curves.  While the folks at the National Weather Service said we would have nice weather going up the coast, I think 35 knot winds--straight at us--and 20 foot waves were not what they had in mind.  It sure wasn't what we had in mind.  One of the biggest lessons we  learned was we had a lot to learn about what we were doing.  This wasn't a lake where you can see all the sides of as you sail.  Oh no, this was the ocean where you don't see anything if you are as far off shore as we were.  Sure, it shows us on our charts where land was but since all the harbors were closed all the way up the coast, there was no where to go and hide from the storm.  We talked to passing freighters on the passage and they asked us what the heck we were doing out there in this storm.  We huddled in the cockpit (eating pretzels and water) which at least was totally enclosed(thank GOD) and muscled through it thanks to our engine.  Of course, once we got to Port Townsend, the transmission gave out on us.  Better there than where we had been.

Another lesson we have learned and are still learning is patience.  Having been in the corporate world for so many years plus having our own business, it was hard and still is hard learning to just slow down.  Not everything  will go as you expect.  We had expected to be out of here by the end of August having arrived at the end of July.  We had PLANNED on being down in Mexico by now.  What needed to be done to bring Zephyr up to where we wanted her would take a lot longer than either of us could have imagined.  If they had told us we would still be here at New Years, we would have thought them crazy.  But here we are.

As the new years starts, some things still need attention but the list is a lot shorter than where it was and the end is insight.  I've taken one diesel engine class and still expect to take a second more intense class before we set off for Alaska in the Spring.  There is a boat show later this month in Seattle that we expect to attend.  It is one of the biggest in the United States and it is not to be missed.  Hopefully we will still have some money in the bank accounts by them.  It is amazing that once you add "Marine" on to any part, the price doubles.

Well, I've rambled enough.  It's a new year with lots more to learn and lots to experience.  We are both entering a new chapter in our lives together with eyes wide open ready for what ever will come.  Wish us luck!  

Day 243 Finally outside.

The weather relented yesterday and allowed us to get some outside work done.  We checked the decks and found them still partially covered in mold.  A common problem here in the Northwest where water and humidity are plentiful.  It did surprise me as the temperatures have been so cold for so long that it would continue to grow.  I would have thought that two weeks of below freezing temperature would have done away with it.  I guess not.  Time to bring out the bleach water with a sprayer and a brush to wash it away.

I tackled our Honda generator in the afternoon.  The oil hadn't been changed is quite some time and needed some attention.  We had used it with our last boat while at anchor or when tied up to the dock at our old marina back at Lake Granby in Colorado.  For what we paid for the slip, I would have thought that they would have had electricity to the slips but unfortunately no.  It got cold up in the mountains of Colorado and having some electricity made being on board comfortable.  This generator will give us 3000 watts of power to keep the systems topped up when the wind isn't blowing or we aren't at a dock with power.  Out with the old oil and in with the new.  A simple job that just needed to be done.  I took the old oil up to Sea Marine for disposal and poured in the new--just over a half quart.  I unscrewed the "flame arrester"in the exhaust system and got it all cleaned and de-sooted.  On the fuel line is a "fuel sediment cup" that needs to be unscrewed and cleaned.  Honda recommends using a "nonflammable or high flash point solvent" for cleaning.  Not being sure what this might be, I called Honda this morning for advise.  Unfortunately, they are closed till January 2.  I guess it will just have to wait till then to get the job finished.  Anyone have any suggestions?

We had great wind(with some rain)yesterday so I let the DuoGen loose to make power.  Since the wind was right on the bow, I locked it down so that it would stay always pointed in that direction to get the most power from her.  She really rips in the winds we have been getting.  I did shut her down when we went to bed.  As it revolves, the sound resounds down in the stern stateroom.  I fired it up again this morning.  Now the wind is shifting from the South to the Northwest so that means a weather change is coming.  We just had a bout with hail. 

Today, Tracy is trying to rearrange the cabinets in the galley now that we have been on board for a while.  I'm about to empty and rearrange the contents of the draws in my workbench.  I'll have a better idea of what I have back there. 

The odd jobs continue.

Day 242 Christmas is past.

Christmas is now past with all its memories.  Ours was very quiet and for that we are thankful.  Better it that way than the rush that Christmas always presented in the recent past.  

Ours of the past 10 years have been always a rush to get things done for our customers with little rest until just a few days before the holiday.  When you own your own business, the customer always comes first.  Their needs  always out shadow your own.  This year, with the business sold, we could actually enjoy it as it was just for the two of us.  We had the time to sit back and relax and think about times of the past.

The memories of Christmas's of my past as I grew up always started with sitting beside the door at the end of the hall that led to the main portion of my parents house.  Our bedrooms were in a separate section with a door to keep it closed off.  My brother and I would get up long before dawn and sleep against the door to make sure that no one got past us to the presents that Santa brought us.  The rush to see what was under the tree and in our stockings!!  We had to wait for our parents to get up.  When you're young, the seconds waiting could seem like hours.  

Each family has their rules.  We could look at what Santa had brought us but no presents could be opened until we had breakfast, the dishes were cleaned, and beds were made.  It always seemed like HOURS before we were able to get at the good stuff.  Each person got a gift in turn until all was done.  Strangely, very few presents stand out in my memory.  The biggest was my new bike that I got at heaven only knows what age.  It had TWO speeds.  I could go like the wind--of course not until the snow melted in the Spring as we lived in Pennsylvania and just about always had a white Christmas.  I went through a lot of playing cards clipping them to the spokes of the wheel to make it sound better as I peddled.

One if the best parts of Christmas was my mother making fruitcake.  Yeah, I know, that one thing at Christmas that is mocked by the media.  The butt of jokes and stories of the cake that keeps getting passed around the family but never eaten.  Door stops.  Ours were cherished and eaten with much joy.  My brother and I would count the amount of cherries that we each got in each slice to see who had the most.  This year, Tracy found my Mothers old recipe and made a batch for us.  The memories it brought back were amazing.  I made sure to send a brick(it has some weight to it) of it to my brother back in Pennsylvania.  He knew exactly what was in the foil as he opened the box.  It has to be 40 years since I have had it.

This year, we we're on board our boat.  Snugly tied up to a pier in some snow and blowing winds waiting for Spring so we can set out on our adventure.  Just the two of us--plus the three fur people that keep us company.

Dinner was special as we had been invited to the Shanghai Restaurant for a special dinner for friends and family.  About 20 people in all.  Duck(just like in the "Christmas Story"movie),plus a shrimp dish that was beyond belief in its flavor.  Rice, vegetables and more.  A great feast was presented.   We really felt special being asked to attend.

Now that Christmas is gone, we wait for the New Year.  Awaiting Spring and beginning of our journey to where the winds take us.  

The tasks continue.  Extra parts are stored and manuals are read.  Internet searching for more information and knowledge.  It never stops, but that is what life is all about.

I hope each of you had a great Christmas as we did and that the coming New Year brings you joy.      

Day 239 Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

This is our second Christmas on board Zephyr only this time we are doing it as a true live aboard, cruiserish couple.  What a change for us.  Life has become much more simple as we adjust to living on board.  Now we wait for Spring to set off for parts North and South--plus West.  East comes later.

Yesterday I was a slug.  Just sat and watched TV and read a book.  I didn't feel like doing much of anything.  We watched a few James Bond flicks and other pieces of fluff.  We both finished off the day with a nice walk  around the marina area about 10pm.  The wind was blowing at 15 to 20 knots but with a good coat, gloves and a hat, it was a nice walk.

Today--Christmas!  Rain instead of snow here in Port Townsend.  It will wash the decks clean.

I started up the DuoGen this morning.  Not much wind but the day is early.  

We are both looking forward to dinner at Shanghai.  It's like the end of The Christmas Story movie.  They are even serving Duck just like the movie.

We wish to all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tracy's two cents:

Hi everyone and Merry Christmas!!!

Thank you Mickie for our Christmas tree it certainly made the cabin of the boat more festive.  I was afraid Santa would glide by, but he did arrive and filled our stockings with goodies and a DVD of the latest Indiana Jones flick, so we'll have a movie to watch after our Chinese Christmas dinner.

The people of Port Townsend are so nice.  I thought small town living would be very different.  I always envisioned that small town people would never welcome outsiders into their world and I couldn't have been more wrong.  Starting with the bus drivers that we traveled with all Summer to the restaurant staff of the couple of restaurants that we have frequented.  Everyone has been fantastic.  It is definitely a slower pace of life, but they are genuinely interested in those around them.  It will be difficult to leave Port Townsend behind, but that is what the cruising lifestyle is all about....meeting and seeing new people and peeking into other cultures.  Next Christmas, we should be singing Feliz Navadad and Jingle Bells in Spanish.  That will be very interesting.  My job this Spring and Summer is to learn enough Spanish to get by, that will be a slow process.

The only job we have to get finished before we leave is the anchor light.  Jack and Eric will probably tackle that job next week when the temperatures get back into the forties.

I miss everyone back in Colorado, keep warm and give yourselves a big hug, know that you are being thought of often.

Thank you for all your emails and comments, keep it up, we love hearing from everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Day 237 Happy Anniversary to us!

We celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary yesterday!

Dinner started with a nice salad.  Then on to beef fondue.  Back in the 70's that was one of the standard gifts everyone got when they got married.  We received 3 when we got married.  You used to have to use Sterno--alcohol in a can to heat the oil--but it took for ever.  Once they came out with electric sets, dinners became a lot easier.  Add on a nice baked potato--done in the oven to help keep the boat warm and it was a great dinner.  A nice bottle of red wine and the dinner was complete.  We got married so young, I had to take my brothers drivers license with me on our honeymoon so I could have a drink.

The snow is still melting but more is in the forecast so we expect a white Christmas.  Normal for Colorado but not in Seattle.  The folks in Seattle are set to receive more just like us.

I found a rigger in the morning that could fabricate our new gate for the lifeline on the starboard side of Zephyr.  I had the pelican hook(closes the gate) but needed the wire and the fastener that goes at the other end of the wire.  Brion Toss--our rigger--doesn't carry the fittings so I took off for Port Townsend Riggers down the street.  They had the fittings and got it all done for me.  I timed it perfectly as they are going to be closed till January 5 like many of the businesses around Port Townsend.  When they say holiday, they mean holiday here in Port Townsend.

While Tracy went to Safeway for more food supplies, I finally tackled the bilge.  I started removing the floor boards ands scrubbing starting at the bow and working myself towards the bilge about half way back the boat.  I finally stuffed the upper portion of my body down into the deep bilge and with a sponge and bucket in hand, out came the rest of the water and "stuff" that had flowed down there when the forward head hose had leaked.  Rub and scrub, add some bilge cleaner and all was clean.  

I rechecked the old bilge pump that seemed to no longer pump by putting it into a bucket of water and turning it on.  It barely pumped at all.  Out came the new one from the box and after a check of its pumping power--really pumps a lot of water, it went into the same bracket in the bilge the old one came out of.  Hook up the hose and electrical wires and I was done.  This baby pumps 3700 gallons per hour.  One of the biggest available.

After that--it was off to the showers to be nice and clean for our special dinner.  

A real nice day.