Honda Center, Vancouver, BC and the Honda 2.3 hp Outboard Motor

I love Honda Center, on first at boundary. My favourite person from the Kits Honda moved over to this Honda and by luck I found them.  I'd bought an incredible CRF 250 off road on road Honda Motorcycle.  It was a jewel of a machine.  When I needed to buy a 30 HP  Honda Outboard marine motor  I bought it here. I 've bought Honda Ruckuses and several generators over the years so really admire the Honda reliability, design, manufacture and service.
Now I’ve just bought my 2.3 Honda outboard.  The 30 hp honda goes on my AB 12 Profile hard bottom inflatable with centre console.  I have that for fishing and getting about in harbour.  Lots of trips to the Lonsdale Quay for weekend shopping.  Even some trips from Coal Harbour round to Granville Island to shop at West Marine over there.
 Now over the years I’ve had a lot of outboards. I have always had an inflatable dinghy on my sailboat with an outboard.  25 years ago I had a huge  zodiac and a 15 hp.  I was young and muscular. I could lift the motor from the dinghy up onto the sailboat deck, no sweat. I had winches too but sometimes didn’t bother.  Then I moved down to the 9.9 hp and after that the 6 hp and smaller lighter dinghies.  Age makes one more reasonable and my back began to rebel at lifting motors from bouncing dinghies up to sailboat decks. I just gave Tom my  almost new 4 hp outboard motor in exchange for boat work because the last time I sailed over to Nanaimo lifting even that little motor back onto my sailboat was dicey.   Hence the 2.3 hp portable Honda Outboad. I still have the choice to tow the big dinghy with the 30 hp.  I certainly couldn’t tow that off shore so the 2.5 hp is the ultimate motor to get me from boat to shore anywhere.
The Honda 2.3 4 stroke outboard motor weighs only 12 kg.  And it is a sweet machine. I am so looking forward to using it. It fit in the boot of my Miata sportscar it was that portable.  Excellent for my canoe on inland lakes too.
Normally I look at all the motorcycles but this time I couldn’t help but notice all the lawn mowers.  The guys gave me a real great demonstration of my engine in the service area with some great ideas for long term maintenance techniques.  You can easily drain the carburetor on this one for longer term safer storage.  Laura and Gilbert came along for the shopping adventure.  Thank you Honda Centre for all the great products and service.
 

Volvo Penta D2-40 Marine Diesel Engine, Sailboat Heart and Love

My 39.9 foot steel cutter rigged 13 ton sailboat, SV GIRI, needed to have a new engine.  The great Yanmar 26.6 hp workhorse had seen better days.  I’d had it rebuilt once.  It’d taken out the injectors myself on several occasions and had them restored.  I’d replaced the alternators a couple of times at least. I’d had  the starter motor replaced twice.  I’d completely replaced the water cooling system.  Yet never had I complained about the engine demanding maintenance, care and repair.  It did a tremendous amount of work over a quarter century of use and served me well. Maybe even saved my life on occasion.  When it began to leak oil and the bill for repair was going to be $7000, it simply was time to face the facts.
At that time, my engineer sailing buddy, Tom, noted the same engine with very very low mileage up for sale second hand.  I was in a recurrent boat crisis of whether to sell or sink my boat rather than throw good money after bad. All the money I’ve put in the GIRI has been good money mind you, but it’s like a marriage.  A guy just gets tired of stoking the engine only to hear more complaining.   I thought to sell the boat knowing that one simply doesn’t get any return on used boats.  Because I’ve divorced too many times I’ve learned the same thing goes for women. My next marriage wasn’t any better than the last except that I was older and saw my mistakes more clearly.
The women were great, obviously. I married them as the best of the best. It's all about wear and tear. Personally I guess I'm like the marine environment. Caustic. Maybe I could have paid better attention to maintenance on the Yanmar and got even more years of life out of her. I certainly know that was true for my marriages. Without lawyers and in laws,  in the typical recurrent boaters marriage to their boat I had a reverse of heart. I found myself looking nostalgically at the old girl especially after others remarked on her loyalty and virtue.
In for a penny, in for a pound.  The second hand Yanmar was no longer available.  I was a little concerned anyway about inheritting somebody else’s  problems.  The engine is the heart of a sailboat.  It’s not just propulsion, especially for crossing bars and going against currents, its the generator for all the boats lights, communication,radar, winches and electronics.
Stem to Stern Marine Services (http://www.stemtostern.net) are real engine specialists.  These are the folk that had been selling me Yanmar parts for years and advising me.  We’d talked about replacing my engine for a couple of years at the Vancouver Boat Show too.  The Vancouver Boat Show is one of the great places where the greatest authorities in the industry are generally just standing around willing to talk to you.  Any other time these engineers and mechanics are neck deep in orders and work so aren’t as able to chat and jaw.
Having committed once again to the SV GIRI, remembering sailing solo to Hawaii through winter storms to the sultry trade winds,  dreaming again of circumnavigating the world, sailing again to Mexico at least,   or finally visiting Australia, or just going fishing up by Lund, I got into the shop and talked to Ben and the rest of the folk at Stem to Stern.  The men are handsome, strong and intelligent while the women are beautiful and obviously very smart indeed. They love dogs, too so Gilbert thinks them a better class of folk, like the Queen with her corkies. It was an interesting experience because I went back several times. Each time I asked them one of the specialists which engine they recommended and after much discussion each  in the shop steered me to the Volvo.
The D2-40 is 4 cylinders. I liked that.  The Yanmar had 3. More cylinders is better.  Cylinders are things of beauty and joy. In a jam I’ve run the Yanmar on 2 cylinders. The cylinder diameter /stroke is 77/81 mm. The compression ratio on the D2 -40 Volvo is 23.5:1. Engine revolutions are 2800  to 3200 rpm.  The crankshaft power is 29.1 KW. This is all very good.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Yanmar. It was a jewel and if I had just replaced it I would have had another jewel.  Like a couple of my wives really. The advantage of the Volvo was that I could get a 10 hp more powerful motor to fit in the same space.  Further Volvo had made improvements in their engine which made it better for the sailor at this power range than the equivalent Yanmar.  It had low cruising rpms, quiet running, low vibrations and exhaust emission.
I never minded the noise of my engine. I feel the same about the sound of my Harley Davidson motorcycle.  I liken it to the sound of a mother’s heart to a baby in the womb. However as my Yanmar aged I confess it vibrated more and the exhaust fumes are a critical factor with an indoor engine.  I had one utterly gorgeous buxom American genius beauty on board who actually complained about the smog in my cabin after we’d been driving some hours on the Strait.  Her concern for her lungs was nearly as great as mine. When Ben mentioned the improvement in exhaust I naturally thought of that smoking hot babe and her lungs.   This was Volvo’s year.
As well, my brilliant sister in law has a Volvo convertible sportscar which is really reliable. We all know everyone with a baby wants a Volvo car because of their concern for safety. I’ve got Gilbert the cockapoo to think of.  The Swedes are great northern designers and know how to make heavy equipment.  The Volvo Group make buses, and  big ass construction equipment . The Swedes are high end manufacturers with the same reputation the Germans have with their BMW’s.  I’d just bought a new Winchester rifle but I’d studied the Swedish equivalents and their technical workmanship is unsurpassed. Friends who have Volvo’s in their blue water sailing boats swear by them too.  Everyone loves their Yanmar but when guys talk about their Volvos they’re just a little more misty eyed. You can hear the violins.
If I consult a specialist, and I trust they’re not just into making more money but really care about customer service like Stem to Stern has over the years,  (and I don’t know a whole whole lot about something except what I research on the internet), frankly,  I  take their advice.  Stem to Stern know their engines.  I took their advice. There was little difference in price but a promise of better satisfaction with better performance. If I'd listened to advice about women wiser men gave me I might have saved myself a divorce or two.
Off shore the question of parts came up.  Yanmar is apparently more available the world over but what I found when I sailed solo to Hawaii was when I needed electronic parts for name brand equipment they still had to send it to me.  That’s the difference today from the old days.  If they don’t have something locally you can have it by Fed Ex  or UPS within a few days. Everything a sailboat needs, all the parts for everything, can be ordered on line from the manufacturer directly if need be.  If I’m cruising I don’t mind hanging out for a day or two or week waiting for a part.  That’s why we call Offshore Cruising, "doing boat work in exotic ports". The fact is, everyone who has the tools for diesel engine repair can fix either machine.  Diesel engines in this regard are like the cars we had up to the 70’s.  I’d been working on my own engines until the computers got added with emission control and all the little mind boggling sensor arrays in the new motors that require special computer programs to monitor.  I’ll carry spares when I cruise and know I’ll be able to fix things if I need to though the beauty of a new engine is you really do get years of worry free life.  
I’ve also got a Hamm radio, Hamm radio license,  and take a Satellite phone offshore with me because I like asking experts for advice when I’m in a jam.
(The psychologist I asked about my marriage though was an idiot and just agreed with me she was a bitch. What woman you're thinking of isn't a bitch when you're thinking of divorcing her. Someone needs to remind you of when you met her her and that first night of love making. No one thinks of that when they're talking to psychologists or lawyers. I think marriage therapists and lawyers should have to give back half the pay if the couple divorce and suddenly we'd see some world class counselling going on rather than all the 'facilitating' divorce that these folks do for personal profit - but I digress. My friends thankfully reminded me of how I loved the GIRI. Of course I'll hate them when I get the bill or the next problem arises.)
When I had problems with my rigging off Vancouver Island I got a radio patch on my Hamm to the best of the best riggers, Pro Tech Yacht Services Vancouver.  They  told me  just what to do with my fouled self furling system .  When the mast broke on the way back from Hawaii I used my Iridium Satellite phone to Eric at Pocomarine Coquitlam BC (http://www.pocomarine.com)  who got me in touch with the right experts to help me complete the ‘mission’.  
 That’s what comes with maturity. I know I’m not alone spiritually or even physically. It’s a global community.  When I was younger, I had something to prove and  wanted to do it ‘my’ way.  Now I’m just  glad to ‘get’r done’.
It was with great pleasure I saw my new Volvo D2-40 installed in my sailboat.  The GIRI is up on the hard in Lynwood. While Stem to Stern was taking the Yanmar Engine out (very respectful of my mahogany cabin too) and putting the Volvo in, I took a couple of days to sand and bottom paint the blessed GIRI adding new zincs.  Ben wasn’t comfortable with putting my old winter fuel in his brand new engine so we had the fuel scrubbed too. The old shaft was buggered a bit by fights with logs so I got a new shaft to go with the new engine.  Added to that my pre engine fuel filters and bilge pumps weren’t working as well as Ben would have them. I knew that. One of the two bilge pumps was intermittent because of a short and one of the two pre fuel filters was only half working. I’d been planning on getting around to repairing them, relying in the meantime on one. Offshore double and triple redundancy are necessary. Still,
I liked that Ben didn’t want my new engine drowned in bilge or with shitty fuel going into the new baby.  Of course I encouraged him to make the improvements.  No sense putting a new diaper on a baby if you’re not going to clean the bottom. Just like Ben I wanted this new Volvo to smell sweet from day one and give me years of joy.  Best to listen to the experts.
The Volvo Penta D2 - 40 sure is pretty.  Sea trials are set for this week.  The SV GIRI is looking especially pleased with her new heart and with her bottom all shiny and clean.

Yanmar 26 hp diesel Marine Engine - SV GIRI

The SV GIRI is getting a new engine.  My Yanmar 26 hp diesel was bleeding oil.  It had already been rebuilt once.  The SV GIRI is a 39.9 foot Folkes steel cutter rigged sloop.  This Yanmar was installed with the GIRI at the time she was built in the late 80’s.  Though the GIRI is a sailing vessel, the fact is the Yanmar was definitely her “IRON Jenny”.  A lot of coastal wind is simply not conducive to sailing to schedule.  In the days of wooden sailing boats captains had time to wait for changes of wind. They had no choice. The steam engine ships surpassed the sailing vessels simply because they didn’t rely on the vagaries of wind.
This Yanmar made the journey to the Queen Charlotte Islands a couple of times and saw the coast of Alaska.  The GIRI circled Vancouver Island a couple of times as well. It crossed the Strait of Georgia and sailed the  Coastal Islands and the San Juan Islands countless times.  A favourite weekend for me was motoring to Vancouver to Nanaimo Friday night with autopilot then sailing back wing on wing Sunday afternoon. I can’t say how many times I’ve done that.
Sailing and motoring out to Barkeley Sound was also a great adventure I did a couple of times for the excellent salmon fishing. Then Victoria and Saltpring Islands were all time favourite destinations where dolphins invariably joined me or Killer Whales circled the boat.  Campbell River and  Texada Island to the North, Desolation Sound and beyond Desolation were also favourites.
The Yanmar took me down to coast to San Francisco once with crew and once solo. With crew I sailed to Mexico’s Sea of Cortez where we wintered.  Finally that Yanmar accompanied the GIRI when I sailed her solo 25 days in winter to Hawaii through winter storms.
Then with crew I sailed the Hawaian Islands before coming home again 34 days, slowed a little by breaking of the mast and the need to jury rig a Spanish  tourniquet to do the 1000 km left of the nearly 3000 km passage.
Since then I’ve been sailing and motoring around the Strait of Georgia.  A boat’s engine isn’t just for locomotion.  With the Yanmar my boat speed was predictably 5 knots.  But for trolling for salmon I also used the motor motoring around 2 knots, a speed particularly appealing to salmon and ling cod.  Thanks to that Yanmar I caught a lot of glorious fish trolling over the years.  Off shore we caught the finest tuna cruising with the motor running 2500 rpm at 5 knots. 3000 rpm was Full Open Throttle but I usually ran the engine at 2500.  
The Yanmar also is the boats generator.  Everything electrical on the sailboat relies on energy from banks of batteries:  lights, VHS radio, Hamm Radio depth sounder, anchor winch, windshield wipers, spotlight, down rigger, converter for television, dvd player, computers and iPhones.  Sailing across the ocean with the glory of the the magnificent downwind trades I still charged the batteries with the Yanmar every day for an hour.  When I am at dock I can recharge the batteries with shore power.  I do have a wind generator and solar panels but the diesel engine is the mainstay for generating power.
I loved my Yanmar.  It was a true and wonderful trooper for a quarter century of service.
Now Stem to Stern Marine has the GIRI up on deck. The Yanmar is out of  the GIRI. It's like the heart of the ship has been removed.  Almost sad to see her there.  The Giri’s empty chest waits a new Volvo 40 hp replacement  . I can only hope and pray the Volvo is all my Yanmar has been.
The Yanmar has been an integral part. Thank you Yanmar.  A new engine will be exciting. I'd almost replaced this Yanmar with a newer version but Volvo had a 40 hp that fit the space and this year's Volvo was built more specific for sailors needs than the similar Yanmar. I just hope Volvo will serve me as well and be as friendly as the Yanmar has been. I've bled the engine myself so many times, replaced injectors, water pumps, starters and alternators.  I'll just have to learn the Volvo now.  The Yanmar served me well. Thank you Yanmar for the great workmanship and attention to excellence.

Moving the 10 ton SV Naomi with the Achiles Dinghy and Yamaha 4hp

Tom's 37 foot sailboat Naomi had a new slip on the dock. We planned to move it over in the day when it was sunny. That was a couple of days ago. There was an engine problem. Tom wanted to paddle it over. He didn't remember the currents are significant in this area near the bridge. I volunteered my little Achilles dinghy with the 4hp Yamaha engine. By the time we got the task started it was night with a serious downpour. Typical. The current caught the bow when Tom untied the bow line. The Yamaha 4hp conked out just then too. I got it working again when we were perpendicular to the dock. We were off like a hurtling herd of turtles. Tom was steering from the main boat with the dinghy tied alongside and me providing the power. The current almost took us into the big tug boats. Tom suggested with some volume and urgency in his tone of voice that I should untie from the side and act as a tug. That's how I began prodding the Naomi with my dinghy nose till we got it aligned. Then I tied on the stern and pushed the boat. Tom got off the bow of his boat on the dock but the current began carrying the boat sideways. I couldn't hear Tom's "suggestions" till he was somewhat frantically shouting that I should do the tugboat thing again. From the distance he did appear to be struggling with the full weight of the boat bearing up against him. Eventually I got untied and pushed the stern of the big boat up against the dock using the nose of the dinghy. Job well done. Gilbert loved the excitement. Later eating the elk I'd had roasting in the oven we reflected that someone might have brought all manner of reasons for not doing what we'd done. We suspect we gave a great deal of entertainment to the real Tugboat Captains whose boats we maneuvered among to get to the Naomi to her new slip.

Dickinson Marine Mediterranean Propane Galley Range

I love Dickinson Stoves. James Giesbrecht just installed a new Dickinson Marine Mediterranean Propane Galley Range on my SV GIRI>  It's skookum.  After 25 years I couldn't get parts for my old Force 10. That's always a concern in marine world so often a reason now I stick with the mainstream on the big items.
This Dickinson just makes me want to spend the day cooking. I love all the safety features too.  Having shot a deer this fall I've already made venison stew and tonight just had venison steak.  One day soon I'll use the oven.  I can't wait till Tom, my sailing buddy, who made the best bread on our return sail from Hawaii, checks it out.  Looks great in the galley too.  Does wonders for spiffing up the old boat.
I've had Dickinson Diesel Heaters for over 25 years. James earlier this year  installed a new Newport. I'd tarnished the outside of the old one with too much neglect of salt water coming through the port windows in heavy seas and blows. It had done me for decades too. I've certainly needed the heat winter sailing on the north Pacific coast.   Rather than trying to clean up the old one, I was glad to have a new one.
I depend on my stoves and really appreciate Dickinson engineering for the efficiency and safety.  Flames and boats are worrisome so it's good there are experts.
So here  I am, warm on a winter's night, eating a hot home cooked meal and loving it.  NThank you, God!

S.V. GIRI and Autumn 2011

Once again I'm spending alot of time on the GIRI.  When I'm not, I simply don't do the needed maintenance and renovations.  It took a real beating on the solo trip to Hawaii and coming back with Tom.  The mast was broken at the base on the return trip and the following summer Tom with Barry the welder and others restored the mast and hull to the standards the surveyor advised.  To do this the whole cabin had to be removed to avoid fire.  This was roughly restored and an amazing cleaning job was done by Joanne's company.  Jim has fixed the exhaust and skylights and installed a new Dickinson diesel heater. He's putting in a new galley stove when it arrives this November.  I've puttered as I do when I'm on board cleaning and fixing odds and ends. I'm rather pleased with the shower pump and foot switch I installed.  The head is working just fine with Tom having fixed the toilet and Jim having installed a new Electrosan.  I almost feel like my shit doesn't stink now. Certainly with the fully functional shower I'm doing fine myself.
Last night I cleaned the freezer in anticipation of the venison I've got coming from the butcher.  I confess it's not been cleaned in many months.  I have to check the batteries as well come to think of it, new ones being installed but it's been a couple of months since I checked the water levels.  There's always something needing doing.  I try to keep the boat shipshape. The survivalist in me wants to be able to go to sea at a moment's notice.  I've an alternative land escape in the RV and truck and motorcycles and ATV.  Partly I'm just a big kid with adult sized tonka toys. Alternatively my generation were affected by the Kennedy missile crisis.
Each day the boat is an experience. When I leave I have to turn off the through hull for the toilet to secure the boat despite the bilge pumps I have as back up. When I come home I have to turn the through hull again, and   start up the propane system to turn on the gas to stove and head water heater.  Then , these days I start the Dickinson diesel heater so the little flames warm the cabin up, the electric heater only keeping the temperature "English" and not "tropical' like my siamese cat, Angel,  and I enjoy.  Gilbert is not so keen on the heat but loves the boat with his best friend, cat. The two run up and down the dock together when the weather is good and I let them.
It's like everything is on 'manual' on the boat and I confess when I stay in a motel I appreciate the 'automatic' ease of modern living without concern about water usage, heat or thru hulls.  There's nothing like being on the water though and it's a small price to pay for the joys of maritime living. The best part is that this leads to my having the boat ready for those trips out to the islands when I can have the full joy of being at anchor after a boat trip.

Boat World

Just yesterday I read something about the catastrophes predicted for 2012. Likely the millennial folk who had all the party hats and such ready for the end of the world are trying to figure a way to unload all their unused merchandise.
Still when I hear about Revelations in the flesh and Armageddon, global warming and Al Quaeda, I rather smugly think of my boat. It's about the only time I'm smug about it. It's like one of those bomb shelters from the 60's, a source of comfort. I imagine doing a Kevin Costner in Water World somewhere up the BC Coast.
When anyone asks about yachting we tell them to stand in the shower tearing up $100 bills for a while watching them go out the drain and ask themselves how they are liking it so far.
Everything in boat world costs at least a boat 'unit'. This is the currency of trade in boat world. One boat unit is $1000 and most everything that has to be repaired costs at least a boat unit. The only consolation is that my friend in 'plane world' says that a plane unit is at least 2 or 3 boat units on a good day.
Of course with the economy like it is you can't sell a boat, an RV or a plane for anything like a thousand's of the cost it was to you. People can't even sell houses in the United States so it's readily appreciated it's a buyers market. After the billionaires lost a trillion or two they began to pawn off their luxury yachts, Lear Jets and castles. Hell of thing to do to the luxury market. Imagine people complaining about the poor deal they were getting on a car trade in when some poor rich bloke was losing his shirt trading in his Lear jet and letting go a mistress or two just to get some liquidity in difficult times.
It makes me grateful. My modest working sailboat is still afloat. The rust has been sanded off some of the ugliest places so there's a general 'kept' appearance to this old friend. Jim has been over installing a new solenoid and overhauled starter.
"All the wires in your binnacle are corroded, you know," he commented.
"I know." said.
The boats done a couple of ocean crossings, been up and down the coast a couple of times and kicked around locally for too many years. I can't blame the old girl for wear and tear. A boat is a constant exercise in up keep.
Homeowners do roof repairs at most every 10 to 20 years but boat owners are hauling their boats out annually to clean and repaint the hull which is really the equivalent of a roof in topsy turvy boat world.
I've been blessed the marine head has kept working. I repaired that a couple of years ago but marine heads are notorious for annual noxious breakdowns.
Just as Jim said it would, the Yanmar diesel engine kicked into action and literally purred when I pressed the button on the console. I'd been using a spanner with a fireworks of sparks to get it started only a few weeks back.
When anything is working on an old boat it's a blessing. I'm happy right now that I'm floating. All it takes is seeing another boat half submerged by a dock or lying on it's side on a rocky beach and you can fully appreciate the joy of not having to slosh through water that is really supposed to stay outside the boat but like an unwanted guest got in.
I have memories of these things.
A boat can be a regular PTSD trigger if you let it. Nothing like a fire in the cabin to get the blood boiling. Hadn't thought of that for a while. Remembering the floors awash just seemed to bring to mind the fire. And those were at dock. Like the time when I tied up and the tide went out and the boat was leaning half over threatening to take the dock and everything else with it. A very good time to sit still and meditate, waiting for the water to return. It did and I left that dock as soon as I could.
Mind you ,I've been mighty cold in this boat at the dock as well. There was the psychopath who unplugged my boat after I went to work that winter and it was weeks of returning to icicles in the boat and a traumatized cat before a kind neighbor told me about the loathsome gent. I avoided a stint in jail by restraining myself when I talked to him about the sort of things that should happen to the sort of people who thieve heat from folk in winter. I remember I dreamt of murder and mayhem for weeks after I had heat back and the cat was restored to health.
There's been a host of characters in boat world that aren't nearly as pleasant as the Beachcomber sorts were. Some are indeed the salt of the earth and with time you sort through them. But the marine environment with all the seagull shit getting in your hair and eyelashes can affect a fellows reasoning. I often think of writing the sequel to Trailer Park Boys and calling it Marina Park Boys because the same characters are here, probably more downright evil but equally as colorful.
I just thought of the coke addicts working on boats so they could steal all the owners brass. There was that fellow quite a few years back. And of course the artist who didn't pay the bills and wanted to start a revolution when the remittance fellows showed up to repossess his boat. I remember he always had money to buy a round but when he was finally gone it was found out he owed just about everyone and not a single one of his lies had ever been true.
And that's not leaving the dock.
I was about to have morning coffee so had to fill the water tank. There's a boat between me and the water outlet. The owner has been supposed to move his boat months back but no one can find him. I got a hose over and under and threw all the obstacles and the tank is now filling.
The dog woke me a 5 am. I'd only got to bed at midnight. He's a farm dog for sure but someone has got to get him adjusted to civilized urban hours. A fellow would like to sleep in on the weekend at least till 6.
The crisis in Gilbert the dog world was that he had to pee and poop and actually now knows he shouldn't do that inside the boat. I really am thankful for small mercies remembering too well the unpleasant warm squishy feel of puppy poop between half asleep human toes.
The trouble is that the steep stairs are a bit of a challenge to his short little cockapoo legs. In addition his sister, Angel the cat likes to torment him in return for all the abuse he heaps on her. She really doesn't want to be his squeaky toy and he doesn't seem to get it. So in the boat she's been loving running and jumping from high surface to high surface while he's restricted to the low roads. Because of the limits of space he's rarely far from her whacking paws and he can't get back at her as he does with his famous flying tackles in the apartment where she's more likely to get caught in a dash across the carpet. This morning she was standing at the top of the stairs daring him to try to get out.
Meanwhile he had to pee and was literally cross eyed when I rolled out of bed and shushed her aside so the little guy could make it to the deck. I was delighted he remembered from our last boat trip a couple of months back when he was little more than two handfuls of size that he could pee up at the front of the deck. He did this impressing me to no end. Many a skipper has had a dog that simply would rather develop constipation and uremia rather than pee and poop on the deck. You see these fellows rowing to shore in anchorages with little dogs doing that particular land dog dance utterly desperate for a tree or blade of grass while the rowing grizzled skipper is cursing his luck to have a landlubber dog.
Gilbert is by his toilet habits a full fledged boat dog except he's got to get the hang of the steep stairs so he can get himself in and out of he boat in the morning and not disturb the captains dreams.
As I was up I hauled a freezer full of ruined food ashore. Whenever anything is fixed on a boat something is broken. This time the freezer electricity was turned off and weeks supplies of meat and condiments went in the heat. The dog loved the shore sojourn but was utterly embarrassed to be hauled by his harness over boat lines one after another. In a world without evil he'd be able to jump and run about on the dock but now needs to be carried because of obstacles and short little legs and youth. Watching him relish the trip back up the gang way to run around on terra firma reminds me again how many things we take for granted. If one is at all jaded just hang out with a child or a puppy and regain the eyes to see the miracles of life. Land for instance. And a tree to lift a leg against. Far more satisfying than a stanchion on the moving surface of a boat when balance is everything to the proper syling.
Back on the boat with the coffee brewed, I may just have to consider untying the lines and taking the boat out. The hazards that can befall one leaving the dock multiply exponentially with more obstacles and issues of currents and rapids, propulsion systems and steering systems. All the things that I've had go wrong at some time or other when I least could afford to have just that surprise and somehow I've come through the situation alive thanks to redundancy, training, quick reflexes and miracles. It never surprises me that 90% of boats never leave the dock. Most boat owners are still scratching their heads asking what was I thinking when I got my boat in the first place. Of course if you take the boat off the dock the sheer wonder of boat world explodes upon you with all the sights and sensations of glorious maritime world up close and real. There's no television experience in this gyrating moving rocking reeling 3 d boat world in motion experience. It really makes one appreciate the relative tranquillity and safety of the dock after. And land, glorious land. A short time at sea and a full grown man can be peeing against a tree revelling in the true joys landlubbers so easily take for granted.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Electroscan Inauguration

Jim told me he'd completed the plumbing on the installation of the new Elecstroscan. He didn't really give me any warning but I hoped I had it in me to test the machine. Because of the river water running into the sea nearby the saline content wasn't apparently sufficient for a good reaction. He gave me a salt shaker and suggested a tablespoon or so would be sufficient to salt the shit so to speak. Pepper and other spices are sufficiently added the usual way. The low salt craze perhaps contributes to the need for add salt directly to the water in the bowl before sitting to contemplate the task involved.

I was able to look at the shiny clean machine with all the wires and hoses coming off it while I was preparing for the final push. It wasn'tt as productive as I might have wanted but sufficient for a test and satisfying. I think just knowing there was salt in the bowl flavoured the whole event positively. It gave me a charge to pump my achievement up the hoses and into that amazing feat of engineering wizardry. Quite satisfied with my self I pressed the 'START" button. Ampere and voltage registered on the display as amazing grumbling and grinding sounds emanating from the box as if I was listening to the belly of a beast after a particularly satisfying meal.

Reminded me of my dog who I had to shoo away from eating my shit out in the woods. Cured him of that bit of trouble but never could keep him away from the cat's litter box. No wonder she wasn't as fond of playing with him as he was fond of playing with her. Naturally she didn't like playing his favourite game with her as his 'squeaky toy'. I'm sure seeing him lunch at her litter box before he mouthed her might well have contributed to her not being a particularly good sport about his idea of fun.

There was a kind of whosh sound when it was done. Whoosh. Like the whole matter was taken care of. The display lighted up with a very joyful communication of completion and indication of readiness for more water sports and brownies. I felt really good. And told Jim.

"That was very good, Jim."

And he said, "I'm really glad you're happy with your new Electroscan."

"I am, Jim, " I said. Now I know my shit doesn't stink and I think that few can say that with the certainty I can, especially those of the politician class especially.

 

Well, then that was the inaurguration of the Electroscan. I was just sorry that I didn't have it in me to give it another go. I'm confident though that I'll have plenty of bullshit to pass on to the little beast in future and look forward to many happy moments just feeling positive all over about my Electroscan shit zapper. It's a great country and a very fine day in one's life when you can own an Electroscan. Every time I poo I'm doing my bit for the planet. That's the feeling I get, thanks to my Electroscan. It's really saved me from being an ecological throw back.

 

Laura being catholic was the first to notice that I had a halo around my arse. When I looked in the mirror I could see it too. A regular saintly halo, right there around the old hole. And I owe it all to my Electroscan. I think anyone who can own an Electroscan will be as happy with their product as I now am.

 

Shipshape

"Shipshape' is a term we use for orderly, tidy, clean, stowed. It's a process to make a boat that. I' ve had another day of cleaning and stowing and getting rid of excess. Another load of stuff 'trundled' ashore. It's now things like the VCR. I'm just not going to use it and it takes up too much room. The DVD player is more compact. I loved the wock but the one large stainless steal frying pan is sufficient. The V Berth is really a whole lot better organized. Those plastic clothes almost freezer bag things that you can suck the air out of really work. Some clothes I want for special occasions, a couple of good sweaters, really reduce bulk in those contraptions I bought for next to nothing at London Drugs.

I actually cleaned the head. Down on my hands and knees spraying with Mr Clean and wiping. I did the same in the Galley. I took the dustbuster to the floor but actually got down on my knees with the oil soap and cleaned most of it. Normally I'd do this weekly but with the move and getting the stowage and heat and fixing bilge pumps the day to day tasks got back burnered. What I really need is a week at sea. Nothing like cruising to get the boat 'shipshape'.

The hoses for water froze so I had to haul water for the tank. Maybe tomorrow at noon it will be warm enough to get more water on board. My 50 gal tank seemed to do me well for a week with quick showers.

I made a great venison ratatouille last night and had the left over this afternoon. Actually fried up eggs on toast for breakfast with coffee. It's getting downright civilized as the boat gets ready to do some time in the islands. I look around and it's mostly superficial clutter that could be easily stowed getting away. It's a good rule to have a sailboat an hour away from taking off at any time. I'm almost there. Coastal cruising for sure. An offshore expedition might take a few days at least to be ready. Not that I've any plans for anything more than Nanaimo, Saltspring, Texada or Victoria. It's just a 'feeling' that goes with having an offshore sailing vessel. It's living the dream. Knowing you have the means to go any where in the world under your own power. And being ready for it. Having a shipshape boat is a good feeling.

That said, there's a whole other layer of having the bins organized. I'm looking at a mess of books. They're in the cupboard but still a mess. That's the sort of thing that gets tidied up cruising. I did find the ocean fishing tackle and got the rods and reels sorted too. Fishing will be fun too.

Even had the radio playing but couldn't find CBC and the rock and roll channels were just too 'noisy' with all the chatter. I'll be glad when I get a marine electrician here to sort out the little electrical wiring issues of what'sdirect and what goes through the inverter. I'll be glad then to have the stereo hooked up. I love listening to classical music on the boat at rest. When it's running nothing like bagpipe music of the Simon Frazer Band to match the momentum.

Enjoying the quiet of the boat now.. Angel doesn't 'sleep in'. She wants to be fed at 7 am every day and lets me know that regardless. It's a struggle to sleep in with her 'cat terrorism'. Still, sleeping in wouldn't be such a joy were it not for the pleasure of work and the priviledge of work, it's routine and regularity. Weekend enjoyment is greatest for the contrast.

I think the adage holds, if you want to get something done , give it to a busy man. Getting this boat shipshape has really progressed possibly because I have so little time. Jobs tend to fill the time available. The progress on the 'great Canadian novel' faltered however. And I've not got up skiing yet.

That's the trouble with this glorious city of Vancouver and British Columbia in general. There's just too much possible to do and too little time. Walking on the beaches, Stanly Park, the Aquarium, getting out to the swimming pool, hiking, going up to Bloedel Conservatory, getting to the gardens all lit up for Christmas.

Focussing on boating I have to forego all the other great things this city and province has to offer. I'm thankful for getting my boat shipshape. It's a good feeling. I don't want to think about climbing the mast and fixing the weater vane and wind indicator though.

Admiral Angel

Admiral Angel likes to take the highest position in the cabin. When there's a bit of wind or she just wants to nap she prefers my sock cupboard/drawer a place where she weathered the worst of seas and several knockdowns on my winter sail down the coast to San Francisco and then across the Pacific to Hawaii. She was not impressed.

Winter on the Boat

Tom was by to winterize his boats. Some settle for a single light being left on. This alone may be sufficient to stop freezing in the pipes. The boat is in ocean water but still the condensation is a problem. Electric de humidifiers that draw very little electric power are a common solution, the most popular and one I've used is the little silver flying saucer type that sits flush on the floor. Tom's a fan of the one light bulb whereas we've both used the space heater on lowest, one of the kind with the automatic off switch if knocked over.

Over in my boat where I've got the diesel Dickinson heater going along with the radiator space heater I offered Tom coffee. I'd just bought fudge at the great Lonsdale market so we pigged out on that and mandarin oranges. He told me he'd been out east helping his father, then with JD working on JD's plane and back himself in Chilliwack fixing the engine on his Jaguar. I lamented bilge pump and propane water heater tales and we chatted about the Anglican apostate debate for a bit before playing some tricks on the cat whose convinced a moving hand under a blanket just has to be a mouse.

Now it's cold. In the morning despite the frost everywhere I opted to take the motorcycle trusting the main streets to be clear. They were but the windchill was the worst yet. Despite having the thermal Harley winter gloves my hands were really chilled driving. My friend Ed rides about on his Honda sport bike in long shorts. He's a big hearted guy but this is extreme riding weather. I love the Harley leather jacket with liner and have my cowboy chaps over the jeans and Harley boots with helmut but still it's cold.

At night the boat despite electric heaters and diesel stove was drafty and took a long time to heat up once I got the diesel lit adding to the electric heat. I'm having to rethink winter sailing. Anchoring is going probably going to be cold so it's likely going to be a marina with electricity in Nanaimo, Salt Spring or Victoria. The weather has been bad down south and I really don't want to get into any heavy sailing though the Strait's protected waters are a bath tub compared to the open coast I've sailed in winters gone by. Maybe I'm getting older or just wiser but I don't find any joy in unnecessary risk. That said, winter sailing is exquisite in the gulf islands. There's very few boats, marinas and anchorages are quiet and the views of ;ristine snow capped mountains are simply extraordinary.

The 2010 tourists would add a whole lot to their visit here taking the time to get out on the water in any number of rental options available from Vancouver or Victoria. I know Whistler and Blackcomb are the draw but the sailing in English Bay any time of the year on a clear day is elegance personified. I love meeting the dolphins in the islands and have simply gloried in the whales around the San Juans. There and north I've had them passing under my boat or surfacing alongside to take a peek at me in the cockpit awestruck by their size and majesty. Seeing a grizzly catching salmon along the shore is one of my fondest memories while eagles are always around somewhere. There screeching cries almost infant like often being heard before they're spotted soaring above or landing in the evergreens along the water.

I sure am looking forward to getting out on the water. And fishing. Catching some cod or salmon and maybe even getting some crab would be fun . I'm rather lazy as a fisherman though and prefer to just troll a hook while I have coffee and try to keep an eye out for big ships which really can make themselves a nuisance insisting that you move out of their way.

It's cold here but when I think of cold I think of Winnipeg, the windy city where the temperature can routinely drop below 40 below but the windchill makes walking seem like one's doing 80k on a motorcycle. Then there was London England where the heaters were on meters and as poor tourists we had to make choices between lots of heat or sweaters and woolens so we could take in another play or dine out on fish and chips. Of course there's the fly in doctor days in the north. Mostly then I was well dressed for the cold like I am when I'm skiing at Whistler or up cross country skiing on Cypress. The cold I remember was doing a rescue run across the tundra and going through the ice with the ski doo. Walking miles with my native guide, the two of us frozen in wet clothes was a miserably cold affair though saving a life at the end of the journey was heart warming. Certainly hanging outside on ski lifts at the end of a day wet and tired with some windchill happening can be right up there with motorcycling cold. My friend Kirk and I still think our parents would collectively be investigated for child abuse for sending us off to school in Winnipeg winters. Back visiting my time in Mexico and Saipain and his time in California had softened both of us up so we couldn't walk across the school grounds without being horrified that we did this when we were six. We were bundled like mummies but nonetheless it's a moonscape on a cold day in bleak January there. We played hockey outside. No wonder the greatest hockey players came from Canada in those days before indoor rinks. If you survived into adulthood playing hockey outdoors you were tough. Kirk and I probably opted for gymnastics because it was indoors.

The cat has tunneled into my sock drawer. It's where she hid in bad weather out on the coast and crossing the ocean. It's her own warm and padded cell. She's rather pleased with herself now she has her own little nest back. I'm probably going to have to buy some socks for my own use, she wails if I take any of hers.

It's only cold boat and motorcycle weather. All the land 'normies' in cars and such think these are the best of days, sunny , without rain, and the walk from car to car or outside shop to shop is to them at best "brisk". Now there's a lot to be said for central heating and alright since the weather is supposed to be really cold tomorrow too, maybe I'll take the truck.

Bosch Propane Water Heater

Kaloo! Kalay! He chortled in his joy! I have hot water. I have had a stupendous shower! I'm happy, joyous and free! There is a God and he loves me true. Heat. Glorious heat. I suspect I'm not ready for heaven yet. I hope it's not drafty otherwise hell's warmth may have it's appeal. I love the joys of fire as much as my Siamese cat. She's slept most of the afternoon given the diesel stove's baking heat.

Astravan Distributors fixed the water heater this last summer. When I talked on the phone with them yesterday they encouraged me to try to fix it again myself. This small marine model is no longer being made so I couldn't get a new one to replace it. Steven's Plumbing who Astravan had recommended had some ideas as to what might be wrong too.

Given a day to work on the boat I settled in to studying the matter. I adjusted this and that and then ran a lighter in front of the propane outlet till the pilot light caught flame. Wow!. I think the diesel heater heated the boat sufficiently that the propane decided to take the trip to the head at the bow from where it was hanging out with the stove in the galley at the stern.

With the joys of hot water and heated cabin now, I got the boat Yanmar diesel motor running just for good measure. I let it run a bit to remember what it feels like to be alive. I even fixed the chimney on the stove and messed about with the leaking windows finally stopping the occasional drops that had me concerned mildly annowyed. Now their screws are tightened and cleaning and Vaseline has helped their seals.

I've more stuff to move off the boat. Changed the sheets and stowed even more stuff. I've been a busy boy. Best I didn't go hunting. This heat and hot water makes home life much more appealing. Amazing what we take for granted.

Storms in the Strait of Georgia persist. I'm glad to be snug now in harbor. Reading Alexander Kent, Cross of St. George with Bolitho and Avery in the British Indomitable fighting those dastardly rebellious Americans with their treacherous French allies. Life is good. I might just go have another hot shower!

Dickinson Marine Diesel Heater

It's simply glorious to have the Newport Dickenson heater going again. Lovely little flame dancing in the cabin. Windows open to let out "excess" heat. Imagine, more heat than one needs. Unbelievable! Yet this little Dickinson Heater kept me warm in this 40 foot steel sailboat when outside a blizzard was raging. True I wasn't sitting about in shorts and t shirt like I am now but I was still warm. Cordoroy and sweater warm in sub zero temperatures with snow covering the deck.

Today the rains continue and it's certainly chilly but not so cold as it's been for me and this boat. I changed the fuel hose last year, having changed out the pump with limited benefit. The new fuel hose made all the difference. Today I had to adjust the chimney cap too. It had fallen down a bit reducing the draft. The cap is especially designed to keep out rain. This was critical when I was sailing down the coast one winter and sleet and rain was pelting the deck. I was dressed in my Mustang Survival Suit and long johns keeping warm despite the weather.

Now I'm just baking in the salon cabin drinking expresso coffee after having had oatmeal with ginger rhubard jam for breakfast. Life is good with heat. Now sometime today I plan to make a foray at the water heater again. Oh to have a hot shower on the boat. As it is a cold shower wouldn't be all that terrible given the heat I'd be stepping out into.

I've been using the electric heaters and they'd certain kept the boat warm but even topped up with a Coleman propane heater at times it remained drafty with a damp chill feel. When I lived in Lodon England it was like that all the time in winter.

With this diesel heater its luxurious. The cat isn't even missing her heat lamp curled up beside me in Siamese cat heaven warmth. She did her tour of the deck earlier in the cold and rain and quickly came back yowling to be let into the warm.

I could be hunting today but the partner couldn't make it and the drive seemed onerous. I'm glad I talked to my sister in law and she asked where I'd put another deer with my freezer already full. Truthfully with venison in the freezer already I'd just as soon get the boat ready for fishing. Even fresh rock cod would be a delight. I don't know what the regs say but will check them out and hope for some fresh December fish. Maybe salmon is still open. There's always crab to be caught off the islands in the bays where I like to anchor and just enjoy the quiet and pristine beauty of British Columbia. Each day I'm here working on the boat I bring it closer to being ready for a week of winter sailing.