What is happening?

Somehow the last 2 updates did not publish to the blog. 

I will fix that once we are back in wifi coverage at E dock tomorrow. 

We are currently in a buoy in blustery 8-15 kts wind just enough to create some annoying noises. Hope it calms down as evening progresses. 

Will fill in the details of our 3rd head tear down of the trip( that is almost every other day!) on next post. 

'cabbage island photos_2

views from Tumbo hike

cabbage Island: photos1

cannot send all files at once, so this has to be done as multiple posts;

Second photo is giraffe taught to 'adrian and I by anna. You have to decide who did which one!

Cabbage Island : update from Otter Bay

On the morning after our first night at Cabbage, we discovered that the head was not pumping...again!!
Esther and the kids went to the island/beach while we steeled ourselves to once again, dismantle the head. We suspected that the repair done at canoe cove had failed and the motor was spinning but no pump action. What we saw when we got to the pump was that it was working!! - curses!!

after some troublesho0ting we found that there was  no suction  from the pump: if the pump was f@#$'d we'd have to abort the trip.  Short story is we found the inlet valve, called a duck-bill(because that it what it looks like) was clogged. After cleaning and putting all together, it is working again!...Yay!!

We got the head back to square one, then made lunch and met up with Esther and kids. I spent a wonderful 45 minutes getting an art lesson on how to draw trees, flowers, giraffe and humans 'the Anna way'.

 After eating on Cabbage, we rowed over, in 2 trips, to the trail head to hike Tumbo Island. This started with me loosing my footing and landing on my back and then sliding down a rock into the water, while 'cheese grating' my elbows on barnacles. After that bad start, it was great to stretch the legs and see the island. The hike includes a large fresh water lagoon( rare in these parts apparently) as well as ruins of former cabins and workings ( had been coal mining here at one point). 

Mike went for a run while I sat in the cockpit with my art teacher; a wonderful complicated scenario unfolded as I ( as Jimmy Jordon, the not so bright art student) got into trouble with Miss Robin, the art teacher. However, I did manage to win an art competition against the 'dummy' ( a student Anna made up out of a life jacket).

We left this morning en route for Hope Bay, but willing to change if the weather cooperated.
No whales were sighted as we crossed Boiling Reef. As we approached Plumper sound we were approached by a Canada Border Services boat, likely thinking that the hippy looking helmsman (Mike) and the wild old guy up at the mast ( me, as we were about to raise sail) were a sketchy combo). However as they come along side and saw the kids they obviously decided we were legit and wished us a good trip.

We had a light wind going into Plumber Sound, and I thought it a good time to try out the Genakker. However, I had a crossed-sheet and as we were trying to re-run that the wind increased to over 12 knots; needless to say it was a bit of a rodeo to get the sail back on deck and get moving with the jib and mainsail. The wind took us right to Otter Bay, with us hoping to get in at the  marina and use the pool,etc. They were full and our only option was a mooring ball just off the dock. This gets us the full rocking experience as the ferries come and go but also access to the pool (and WiFi).

No firm plans for tomorrow as yet. Stay tuned.

PS : tried to upload some photos but the wifi is too slow to make it work...next time??

Cabbage island

We motored to cabbage island arriving onto the second last mooring ball. 

Phone coverage so I will send short updates while I have it. 

We will stay here tomorrow night also. 

I am sitting here going through our flora and fauna book of the Pacific Northwest with Anna. 

Apologies!

I see that a combination of me typing on my so called smart phone and Auto-correct are making some cryptic reading. 

In the last post it should have described a retaining screw had sheered and damaged the hole on the motor shaft. 

And the duplicate post is another screw up. 

Wish us well for tomorrow 

Fwd: Oh Shit!!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: bruce warren <cbrucewarren@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 10, 2017 at 9:46 PM
Subject: Oh Shit!!
To: <cbrucewarren.tatoosh@blogger.com>

Today's departure was delayed a bit. 

I was just getting Tatoosh ready to cast off when Mike told me that the head sounded funny when he used it. Sure enough it was not pumping out. 

I quickly manned the plunger for over an hour convinced it was a blockage. 

Then thinking we needed a snake or professional help went to the service guys- they were booked solid with no available until Wednesday. 

So we moved on to plan B: start disconnecting hoses and find the blockage. Of course this meant completely dismantling the head including the vanity/sink. 

After dealing with copious amounts of smelly fluids leaks we did not find a blockage. Next suspect was the pump: took it out and found that the shar from the motor to the pump bellows had a retaining scree that had sheeted and distorted the hole in the shaft. My cordless drill is dead and my dremael tool is in Calgary: took it to the shop with 1 hr left before they quit. They took pity and had it fixed by 5. Mike and I got it together enough to confirm that we had poop pumping capability and we stopped for dinner at the pub. 

8:30 and head is back to square one. I hope this is the last of the events in what has become a voyage of repairs!!

In the middle of dismantling the head and with strong odours coming up a gentleman stopped to inquire about Tatoosh being for sail. I had a quick chat, told him we were trying to leave soon but I'd call him on Monday after we are back. I did not want to try and show him the boat in the middle of that gong show!!

Oh Shit!!

Today's departure was delayed a bit. 

I was just getting Tatoosh ready to cast off when Mike told me that the head sounded funny when he used it. Sure enough it was not pumping out. 

I quickly manned the plunger for over an hour convinced it was a blockage. 

Then thinking we needed a snake or professional help went to the service guys- they were booked solid with no available until Wednesday. 

So we moved on to plan B: start disconnecting hoses and find the blockage. Of course this meant completely dismantling the head including the vanity/sink. 

After dealing with copious amounts of smelly fluids leaks we did not find a blockage. Next suspect was the pump: took it out and found that the shar from the motor to the pump bellows had a retaining scree that had sheeted and distorted the hole in the shaft. My cordless drill is dead and my dremael tool is in Calgary: took it to the shop with 1 hr left before they quit. They took pity and had it fixed by 5. Mike and I got it together enough to confirm that we had poop pumping capability and we stopped for dinner at the pub. 

8:30 and head is back to square one. I hope this is the last of the events in what has become a voyage of repairs!!

In the middle of dismantling the head and with strong odours coming up a gentleman stopped to inquire about Tatoosh being for sail. I had a quick chat, told him we were trying to leave soon but I'd call him on Monday after we are back. I did not want to try and show him the boat in the middle of that gong show!!

Next trip

Esther and Adrian and Anna arrived after dinner with a load of groceries. 

Mike will get here after midnight. 

In the morning I will go to Sidney for fresh bread and then we will be off. 

It was great to see the grandkids and see the energy level on tatoosh increase exponentially!!

Within an hour we had stowed everything, played 2 games and Anna had convinced me that red would look better on my toes than purple- so red it was !! She told me half way through that I was the first set of nails that she had done on her own. 

Next trip

I am in last stages of prep for arrival of esther and kids after dinner, them Mike late this evening. 

Plan is for a leisurely departure and anchor at Sidney spit and hit the beach. 

I found the coaster below to be relevant for Tatoosh😊  

The other photo is Sisneys creative idea of putting chairs and some balls around the park near the pier for the summer. Sceptics feel the chairs will be taken but I still have faith that they will stay in the park. 

Richard returns and work starts for next trip

Richard was awake EARLY so while he had his shower, i made coffee and we had our lattee ( and croissant finally from Thriftys) which hopefully gave him a good start on his trip back to Calgary.

Part of my day was spend following the flow chart attached: I started by cleaning out the V bert and head and one point found myself looking for a forgotten tool to help clean a drain...then discovered that the head flush pump would not stop. Afraid of not having a working head for when Mike et al arrives on sunday, and not wanting to start my own repair and then find out i was not goint to get it done it time , i organized for a repair person from the marina. It appears to be a sticky plunger on the vacuum switch. Some WD 40 and adding some washer to increase the spring pull seems to have done it. If not, then I'll need to get a replacement..... and so it goes.

By end of day, i had done clean up, except for galley, cleaned the cockpit and all gratings ( including the one in the head) and re-oiled the cutting block/ice box lid for good measure. Bedding and carpets have been cleaned and aired.

I also confirmed that I can get a replacement pressure switch for the washdown pump and then return the new, unused $300 replacement.... not often that happens on a boat!

Tomorrow's list, as of today;
- Fix up some failed caulking in the teak
- finish topside cleaning and polish stainless
- walk 5 k to marina with pump to return
- finish shopping list for food for when gang gets here. I will likely have to do 2 shopping trips since i'll be hauling it back on the bus.
- do final load of laundry
- if possible, go to charity shop for a T-towel or 2 since some have gone missing or been turned into deck rags(??)

 

Last day on water

There is no wind- ZERO wind. 

We dropped anchor behind Isabella island on west side of entrance to fulfils Harbor. 

We will wile away an hour or two, have lunch and then head for E dock for chores, etc. 

Sansum narrows

We got away at 7:50 and through the narrows by 9; no drama, no wind. 

No plan either- if there is no wind we may head to E dock early and have fun cleaning out a weeks worth of man- dirt. Let's hope for wind!!

At maple bay

Today was a mixed bag of fast upwind sailing from Prevost island to Wallace then motoring, then hour of 3 kts downwind steering with a foot and back to motoring. 

When we put up the lazy kacks( rope cradle to hold the sail on the boom) one set let go. The sail was lashed to the boom and we focused on anchoring. 

Tatoosh is nearly locatedin Maple Bay  just out of the local swimming hole, away from a large yacht and close to the dock owned by the Brigatine Pub. 

We ate the eggs for lunch that were supposed to be dinner - so is off we row to the pub for dinner. 

Right now it is time for the aging crew to have quiet time. 

Tommorow we will go through Sansum narrows and return to E dock to clean Tatoosh and clean the crew. 

PS: did locate the dividers but it required the removal of the nav storage unit to retrieve them. All done and all is right with the nav station. 

Photo is sunset at Annette inlet. 

Annette inlet Prevost island near salt spring.

After clearing customs we had a slow pleasant downwind sail towards Prevost. 

Anchored an hour ago and just about to eat a quick dinner. Should have a nice sunset tonight. 

Back in Canada!

We checked in at Bedwell customs dock; having quick lunch at customs dock then we head out to look for wind - nothing on the way despite the forecast. 

Photo is turn point lighthouse on Stuat usland(US).

Sunday morning at Friday Harbor

You see from the chart plotter how we spent 3 hrs waiting for a slip at Friday Harbor before we gave up and went sailing instead!

We ended up at Toche Harbor on anchor. It is very crowded and we took 3 tries before we were happy. We had a long row to the marina but it was worth it for a cold beer and good fish and chips ( fish is from Vancouver island!).

Walked the docks which are jammed with mega yachts for the holidays, along with the mega-egos that own them. Richard saw a nice retro looking run about called a beach boat. Nicely finished in teak and mahogany on offer for a mere $249,000 USD! But only useful as a tender. 

Needles to say Tatoosh and crew do not fit in very well. We got out never groceries and some ice and humped our way back to our little pudgy for the row back to the mother ship. 

We are of to bed well to check in with Canada customs tomorrow. No plans as yet to where we will anchor- let the weather decide 

Quick update

Few notes now that we are in cell phone coverage. More details to follow. 

When we got back from our tour of orcas the wind was up and forecast to be higher and the anchorage was not well protected. We moved for the night to Park Bay, near Friday Harbor. 

We just spent 3 hrs jockeying with 20 other boats outside Friday Harbor marina waiting to get a slip assignment. 

We have bailed out and are now downwind sailing in 15-20 kts towards Riche Harbour. It is the July 4 holiday coming so I expect we will anchor off ( we can spend the saved marina fee on beer and a burger?)

Deer Harbor

We arrived and anchored at Deer Harbir at noonish after another motor trip. We left at a decent hour of xx after a breakfast of ham and omelettes. 

We were going to rent electric bikes and travel overland tomorrow to Eastsound but they no longer have the rentals. Plan b is to take the island shuttle bus. 

Tomorrow is still up in the air, likely will anchor out at Roche Harbour rather than Friday Harbour marina: but we do need some groceries. We may well end up at Friday Harbor if there is room( long weekend and all).

Photos will have to wait - my data plan doesn't like being in USA!

Thursday at Sucia island

We arrived onto our mooring buoy here at noon. After lunch we rowed ashore to explore a bit. 

This is a beautiful spot( I can't post many photos until I get to wifi). It has a number of anchorages, some with docks, all with mooring balls. There are also camping facilities and the best smelling outhouses I have seen! - composting type. 

The island was privately owned until 1950 when a group of boating clubs bought it then donated to the star as a park. 

This place would be nice to park for a bit and go ashore to read and sketch and walk about. It is definitely on the "return visit" list. 

The repair saga continues with something to attend to just about each day: today I noticed that the auto pilot controll was coming out of its mooring. 

Thursday morning- June 29

Out of marina at 9:15 a motoring on calm seas towards Sucia in San Juan. We will need to come up with a plan as to where we want to be to celebrate Canada day on July 1 and avoid a crowd of boats. 

Tea and cookie time( seems like it is frequently tea and cookie time!)

Update

The wifi and mobile phone are both sporadic at best here at Point Roberts marina - s o a short update while I have comms up. 

We got through Active Pass as planned and sailed across the strait on mainsail alone, averaging about 4.5 knots. 

A prolonged customs clearance and we we at our berth in time for a quick lunch. As luck would have it we arrived on the only day that the only tavern is closed. 

Plan is to cross back tomorrow to Sucia island at northern end of San Juans. 

Over and out

Active pass

Exited active pass ( along with 2 ferries)  at 8:05 and currently sailing towards Point Ronerts on headsail only in 12 kts wind. 

Tuesday June 27 - otter bay

We decided to stay at E dick Monday so that we could pick up replacement wash- down pump today and install it on the way. 

PlAn is to cross Georgia strait to point Roberts - to do the crossing and then have cleared customs and cross back to do short tour of the San Juans( before July 4 holiday ).

While we were waiting for the pump to get in we walked the docks at Van Isle: on one dock we saw 5 Pacific Seacraft boats(34') this is after getting a tour of the same boat on E dock last night- maybe it is an omen!( pacific seacraft is the current boat targeted S replacement for Tatoosh. 

We had a gentle downwind sail to Otter Bay. The only other traffic seemed to be ferries and barges that were always in the wrong spot/ wrong time. 

Once we got the anchor down I stared on the pump replacement. Before unpacking the new one and since I had the old one on deck I decided to take it apart to see what might be the problem. It has an internal pressue switch to shut off in case of a blockage. 

We have made a temporary  fix until I can find out if I can get a replacement switch. ( and return the new pump).

By the time we got it back and all water tight it was passed 6:30 so it was a late dinner( garlic/onions/mushrooms chicken and white sauce on pasta with salad. )

Otter bay at 9:30

34' seacraft. 

The Game is Afoot!

I was out on the coast the week of March 13 to 'un-winterize' Tatoosh and get her ready for sale. I signed up with Thunderbird Marine and as of March 19 she is for sale.

Not sure how long of a process this will be, but based on the data the broker had for previous Valiant sales, it could be anywhere from 3 months to a year! I hope it happens soon enough that I can find a replacement this season.

In the meantime, I will try to organize some farewell sailing with previous crew before Tatoosh is sold. More on that in another post.

Another Pacific Seacraft that has come back on the radar is the Dana 24. This sounds small ( and it is) but it has a similar open plan to the 27 and isn't that much smaller. There are a number of Dana fanatics out on the 'inter-web' to convince you that they are a good solid boat despite the size.  [ Dana Review  ]see ] and here for an example of a DANA 24:  Dana for sale

When I started this process there were a number of PS 31's on the market, now there is one, older than 2015 i.e. affordable, so who knows what will be available when Tatoosh has sold.

I have to say that it felt a bit odd opening up Tatoosh for the season knowing that I could be doing that for the last time; bit like saying goodbye to an old friend!

Over and out for now.