Day 186 Chart updates.

I installed new chart updates for my Garmin 172 GPS/Chartplotter.  I purchased their latest updates and went about installing them not only on my computer but also the chartplotter.  This is a gizmo that is right in front of me right on the steering column or binnacle.  It tells me not only where we are but gives me charts of the area we are in plus what services are available in all the areas we go to.  I'm currently set up with the charts for Washington down to South of San Francisco.  I''ll be purchasing more charts for it next year for farther North and down South toward Mexico.

I have several other electronic chart/ navigation programs but this on is right in front of me as we steer.  I have C-maps, Nobletec, and Max Sea programs as well so we are well covered.  I have a remote terminal that will link with my Acer computer that will show me what is on the screen of the computer(kept down below nice and safe)as we sail.  This way, what ever navigation program I'm running, I can see it on deck.  It's got a range of 150 feet.  If I get past that range, I've got real problem.

During the installation, there were problems of course(it's on a computer), so I called Garmin for a technical assist.  They walked me through the installation.  First, the program didn't recognize my customer ID, we got that resolved.  Then it wouldn't recognize the gizmo that installs the information on the chip that goes into the chart plotter.  At which point the tech transferred me to the higher techs for help.  Since it was after hours there he didn't feel there would be much of a wait.  He was right.  After about 10 minutes on hold  I got cut off!!  Since it was after hours, I went at the installation myself. I rebooted the computer and did as he had told me and computer recognized the download gizmo for the chip and installed it just fine.   The original tech sent me a message to make sure I had gotten the help I needed from the "upper" techs.  I told him what I did and that all was well.  Nice getting good help even if you do get cut off once in a while.

I actually took time off yesterday to read a magazine.  I'm glad I did as I found a blurb in it about an up coming class on "Boat engine maintenance and troubleshooting" that is being held right down the coast in Port Hadlock next month.  It's just what I have been searching for since while I know the routine things to do, I don't have the full scope of what to do in an emergency.  There is no AAA out there.  I placed a call and left a message.

I've started clearing up my messes in the nav station and my work bench area.  I can really trash an area fast while working on Zephyr.  Today is clean up and clean out unnecessary things.  I can be such a pack rat sometimes.

More rain and high winds are scheduled for this afternoon just as they were yesterday.  The Sun will come back eventually. 

Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight.  "Standard" time returns.

  

Day 185 The weather has turned.

The weather has started to turn here in Port Townsend.  For the foreseeable future, it is rain and high winds.  We'd planned and worked hard at getting the important jobs done so we could spend a while at a different harbor anchored all alone in peace and quiet all the while letting the world pass us by(and not seeing any political commercials).  Now that we are almost there and could leave, it is to rain and have winds up to 35 knots.  What's the fun in being in a deserted harbor if it's being blown all over the place and the rain keeps you pretty much a captive in your boat?  So for the next few days, I'll concentrate on projects inside Zephyr.  Heaven only knows there are lots of things that still need to be done.  I have lots of drawers that need organization and the bilge still needs attention.

Yesterday was a great day for getting more projects done.  We checked off two biggies.  We emptied the forward sail locker(also known as the "garage") and installed the new anchor backing plate.  For those of you that have been reading this blog, you'll remember me talking about there being a steel pipe that held the end of the anchor in the locker.  I've now replaced it with a 1/2" thick aluminum plate with a big "U" bolt bolted through it.  That anchor isn't going any where.  It is still set up with nylon line at the end of the chain so that if we need to jettison the anchor, all we have to do is cut the line.  If we ever anchor and need to get out really quick due to really bad weather or another boats anchor has slipped and is bearing down on us, all we will need to do is let out all the anchor and cut the line, start the motor and get out of the way.

I got the new electrical outlet installed in the galley yesterday afternoon.  I'd gone to Henery's Hardware and bought a better saw for cutting thin teak.  The last piece I'd tried had snapped in two.  With a saw better made to cut thin boards, I was off to the races.  It cut the opening I needed just fine.  As you can see from the picture, I needed a teak board to cover an existing hole in the wall.  We'd removed a propane "sniffer" that had stopped working and that left a big hole.  You can see our new "sniffer" below the outlet.  With the teak board, I could cover the hole and install the outlet.  Now we have another outlet in the galley.  No more having to move the microwave to get to an outlet or string an extension cord.  I'll be ordering an outlet cover today from Fisheries Supply.  It should be here by next Tuesday.  We'll use some of our lacquer to make the teak blend in with the cabinet it's attached to.

I have a bit of wire left after the install and with luck will install an outlet in the engine compartment.  You never know when you'll need 110 in there.

I found it interesting as I installed the outlet, the orientation of the plug came into play.  I'd asked Tracy which was she wanted it.  She wanted it the way the picture showed it.  To me, that is backwards.  There is the difference of "right" brain versus "left" brain.  Tracy is the "left" brain of the family.  Logical, rational, analytical, and objective.  I on the other hand, being "right" brained am more random and subjective.  That is why we work so well together.  What one of us doesn't have, the other does so we do better at seeing the whole.  (Yeah, I know, the outlet is in backwards but that is the way she wanted it.)

We restocked the pantry yesterday with lots of new goodies.  Tracy keeps a list of what is where so it's much easier to find.  Everything is in plastic boxes in every little nook and cranny as space in a boat, even Zephyrs size, gets used.  When you're out cruising, there is no 7/11 or Circle K to stop into.  You are a floating grocery store.  If you don't have it, you do without.

We ordered a pizza from Papa Murphys last night for dinner.  It took some rearranging to get a 12" pizza into a 9 X 13 oven but Tracy did it.  Apparently the price of pizza has gone up like everything else in the world.  At over $16.00 for a "medium"(they don't have "smalls") it wasn't as inexpensive as I recall.  We used to get a "family" size(really a "large) for about $13.00/$14.00 when we lived in Aurora.   Isn't it strange that with no "small", the first size they offer is a "medium"?  Doesn't that make their "medium" a "small" and their "large" a "medium"?  I guess we as a country just can't settle for getting a "small".  We need to have a "medium".  Make us feel better?  Maybe it just "marketing"?  Who cares?  We still buy it no matter what they call it. 

Well, it's raining now and that is what we can expect for the next week.  Add on 20-30 knot winds and you have an exciting week ahead.  They plan on dredging this marina next week so we will have to watch our access if we can go out sailing even for a few hours when nice weather returns.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Day 184 The heater works.

Troy stopped by with the heater duct work and got it all installed.  I fired it up later in the day and it works great.  It took a while for the fan to really kick in as it hasn't been run in many months.  With the new wiring, it runs much faster than we have ever heard it.  It really kicks out the BTUs.  I changed out some of the fasteners where the ducts connect to the vents so they will stay attached.  New plates and screw clamps and of course--every mans favorite tool--duct tape.  Where would any house or boat be without duct tape?

By now, many of you have seen the video I posted yesterday morning.  I had to go to Safeway as the Verizon gizmo wouldn't do it.  To slow on the uploads.  It took about 5 times before the blog site would accept it.  The video I took on an actual video camera is apparently too big and so far won't upload.  I'll try again when we go to Safeway.

I started work on installing another 110 outlet in the galley.  There is currently only one and it is behind the microwave.  I'll be installing the other at the far side of the galley.  This way, we won't have to stretch an extension cord across the cabin.  It is going in where the old propane detector was now that it has been replaced.  The previous one had had its wires cut and didn't function so it got replaced.  It left a nice hole that with work will now have an outlet in its place.  

I stopped at Radio Shack for a replacement switch for the light I took off the wall.  The switch had gotten broken while I was working on it.  These light have now been discontinued so I need to fix it since we can't get any new ones.  The people at Radio Shack would be dangerous if they knew anything about electronics.  So far, no one I've talked to there knows anything about wiring or electronics.  Go figure.

Rain is in the forecast over the next five days so not sure what we will be doing.  We're trying to get to another harbor(secluded) and drop anchor for at least a night to see what it is like.  

Off for another day of projects.  As I check off one two get added.  Amazing how that happens.

Have a great day.

Finally a video!!

Yeah, I know it's sideways but who know that you can't change the orientation of a video like you can a photo.

I've tried to put another on this sight but it may be too big.  I'll try again.

I do have to be at Safeway to get this to post as the Verizon gizmo is to weak and slow to do it.

Day 183 Slowly but surely.

I took apart the radar and added the lithium grease that Raymarine suggested I put on the gears to try and stop the small grinding noise that it has developed.  Here's what the inside looks like.  It took just a small amount and the job was done.  We turned it on and around it went.  It's no better than what it was but hey at least it has new grease.  It still makes that small grinding noise but maybe it is supposed to.  Oh well, I put the cover back on and got on with the next project.  You can't win them all.

There were three lights in the boat that have never worked so I went after them next.  All three are on one wall.  One in the main cabin and two in the forward cabin on the opposite side.  One I fixed a few weeks ago.  It's switch had rusted out.  The one in the main cabin had apparently fried its small circuit board that acts as a dimmer switch.  I swapped it out for one that I had taken off the wall where the TV is now.  I had to merge the two together as the lights weren't identical.  Now it was fixed.  The third had popped a solder joint and with some new solder it was fine.  Now all the lights work on Zephyr.  

The projects continued with adding biocide to the diesel fuel.  Strangely, diesel fuel can grow algae if left untreated.   It's not the diesel that grows the algae but it grows in the water that condenses off the sides of the tank during cold spells if they are not full and pools at the bottom of the tank.  It can really mess up your system if left untreated.

We mailed our election ballots so we have done our patriotic duty.  Al least now I have the right to complain after the election.  Of course, if my candidate wins, I will share in the responsibility of having elected him(not much chance of that).  I found out that here in Port Townsend, there are no election booths on election day.  They only vote by mail!!  They have one of the largest turnouts in the state.  When I mailed our votes, I played devils advocate with the postal clerk that helped me by espousing the fact that having only mail in voting disenfranchises the homeless and the poor since now they have to pay for voting by having to buy a stamp to vote.   He had to think about that for a moment and then agreed with me.

Tracy put some of the canvas over the teak on Zephyrs rail to protect the teaks varnish.  Now she's set for the Winter.

I've got more projects for today.  I'm off to Safeway to try and upload a video or two if possible for the blog.  The Verizon gizmo keeps disconnecting on long uploads and won't allow us to complete them so I need to find a more stable connection.  I'll post a note if I get them uploaded as to where you can see them.

Troy is here fixing the ductwork on Zephyr so we may get to get out later this week for another harbor.  We'll see what Mother Nature throws at us.

Off to more projects!!

Day 182 More projects. Living the dream?

A day filled with more projects and a long list to go.

I started the day installing a crane that Bill(previous owner) had on Zephyr that will assist us in raising and lowering the outboard motor.  It fits over a ball that is screwed to the teak cap rail and then passes through a ring attached to the stern pulpit.  With a block and tackle it will take care of anything up to 100 pounds.  It will make using the dingy to get ashore much easier.

Sea Marine is having to replace the duct work for the diesel heating system on Zephyr.  While Jack, the electrician  was changing out the alternators, he crushed some of the duct work and now it all needs to be replaced.   The heater requires 3 1/2" ducts while the vents all require either 4" or 5" fittings.  They ordered the duct work last week and it came in this morning.  All the wrong size.  I'd told them 3 1/2" but they ordered 4" because they knew better.  I'd crawled into the engine room and measured but hey, what do I know, I just own the boat.  Today they sent down Troy--another electrician to measure the system.  Why an electrician?  I haven't the foggiest idea.  I'm glad I'm not paying for it.  As he measured, he ripped out all the duct work so now instead of having to replace just a small bit, they get to replace it all.  It is the main stumbling block holding us here as it's too cold to be at anchor in some nice secluded bay without a heater.  It's getting down into the high 30's.  So we wait.  At least we can go out on day sails.

I sewed two of the straps we will be needing so that we can reef the main sail if the wind gets too high.  You use two rings--both stainless steel-- and some 1"nylon webbing and place the rings on either side of the sail, and use the webbing to join them together.  I have to buy some more webbing as I ran out.  It takes more than I thought.  We already have the rings.  At over $11.00 per ring, they don't come cheap.  I'd learned how to do this at the class I took at Carol Hasse Sails.  Carol walks by our boat just about every day and we have time for a quick chat.  She saw me sewing today and love the fact that I was doing something from the class.

I tidied up the deck today taking care of lots of loose lines.  Shortening them up so they fit properly in their spaces.  Re-whipping some as necessary.  When they redid the electronics on deck, they turned off the light on the wind gauge.  I had to unscrew it and turn it back on.  It's a simple thing if you know where the switch is on the gauge.  Luckily, there is a backup gauge inside Zephyr so all I had to do was look a the backside of it.

As I sit here, I keep hearing the fresh water pump going on and off.  It is only supposed to run when the faucet is turned on.  There is no more water running into the bilge so I think the pump may be malfunctioning.  I've already contacted the manufacturer and they are going to replace it.  I bought it back in May so it is still under warranty.  They wanted me to send them the pump and they would send me the replacement.  I explained to them that we live aboard and they are willing to "sell" me a new pump and credit it back upon the return of the one we have here.  I'll get going on that tomorrow--or today as it's after midnight as I type this.

I forgot to tell you what we found last night when we got back from Whidbey Island.  As we walked down the pier, there on deck was Snowshoe waiting for us.  Some one had come on board while we were gone and slid the hatch open.  We have no idea who it could have been but all the kids were still on board.  With there being a family of otters living in the marina, they take a dim view of cats--or any other animals for that matter, and will kill any they find on their territory.  Glad they didn't see the kids while we were gone!!  We may have to lock up the boat in the future.

Well, it's off to bed.  Lots of projects for the next few days.  Rain is scheduled by Thursday. 

 

Day 181 The stress is gone. Now the recovery.

The stress we have felt over the past 6 months of not being able to sail Zephyr is now over.  We've had her out in the winds and seen how she performs with us at the wheel.  Saturdays sail was just the thing we needed.  Now we have sailed our boat!!! 

We moved on board almost exactly 6 month ago and it took us that long to finally get to sail Zephyr.  It seemed that no matter what we did, either there was no wind or it was against us or it just wasn't safe to take her out, something kept us from getting her out.  Now that the standing rigging(holds the mast up) and most of the running rigging(controls the sails) have been replaced and the electrical system has been overhauled, she was ready for us to take her out without the fear of something happening.  

There are few words to describe the feelings Tracy and I felt as we flowed through the water.  We had even taken the ferry just to get water under our feet.  We have dreamed of cruising for the past 20+ years and now we are getting to that point.  There are a few more tasks that need to be attended to as there always will be on board a boat, but the hard, time consuming jobs are now over and we can try and plan for the future.

Yesterday, when we got up, you could just feel that the pressure we had felt was gone.  Tracy was exhausted and I sure wasn't up to my best.  We had finally sailed.  With that being said, we took a day and rested and tried to rebuild our energy.  We took the ferry again to Whidbey Island to drive up to Anacortes to see what it was like.  It is one of the places we know we will be sailing to shortly and wanted to see first hand what the marina was like.  Unfortunately, we cut our time a bit short as we missed the 1pm ferry and had to take the 2:15 which get you there at 2:45.  We made reservations for the 6pm and took off North.  We stopped for lunch at Wendy's.  It's not haute cuisine but it filled our stomaches.  On the road again till we got to Anacortes.  Quite the boating town though since it was Sunday, just about everything was closed.  By the time we got there, we had to turn around and head back or we would miss the ferry.  

Whidbey Island is a lovely combination of farming and urban with both taking a strong hold on the island.  We passed through lots of farmland and then were amazed at all the big box store we came upon in the city.  Gas is cheaper on the island than it is here in Port Townsend.  I would have thought the opposite.

Today, more projects.  I need to move the crane that helps lift the outboard motor down to the dingy and back up.  At 87 pounds, I sure can't do it myself.  The crane is on the port side and the motor is on the starboard side.  The crane is getting moved as the new wind electric generator will be on the port side.  I'll be dismantling the forward head as water is still seeping back into the head from the hose that leads to the sewage tank.  A valve appears to have malfunctioned.  And you thought cruising was all fun and no work?  Hah!!!

I'll be practicing the sewing I learned at Carol Hasse's class a few weeks ago.  I have to attach nylon straps to the sails so that we can reef them when the wind comes up.  After the rigging was done, the sails sit too high to allow the existing grommets (metal rings in the sails)to fit onto the reefing hooks that they are supposed to go on to make the sail smaller.  With the nylon straps and big stainless steel rings, it will work just fine.  I've got three sets to do.

The weather is supposed to be perfect over the next few days so we will bet as much accomplished as we can.  We can't quite take off yet as the yard has to replace the ductwork for our diesel heater that got crushed when they removed the alternators.  Until that is done(we like a nice warm boat at night) we're not going anywhere.