AK Trip in Jeopardy

 

One of the multiple, glamorous chandlers we visited for must-have spare parts.

Our Alaska trip is rapidly approaching in June. We feel an urgency to create checklists and knock critical items off our list like extra water pumps, a freezer, and a crisp, new Waggoner guide. 

One problem to solve was heating at night, at anchor.(1) Would no heating at anchor, with the understanding that it’s summer in the Northwest, be bearable? 

Weatherspark.com

Evenings at 50F/12C are bearable with a few layers of blankets. The challenge is the build-up of moisture. Perhaps you’ve experienced this sleeping in a closed tent or RV and waking up to moisture on the interior walls. Picture rain-soaked clothes, showers, and cooking driving humidity up in the cabin.

The best solution would be a generator. It would provide air-conditioned heat that we’d run for a few hours in the evening.(2)

We learned back in February that mechanics are scheduling work 1-2 months out. And they generally don’t stock parts.(3) We felt fortunate to find and schedule a mechanic to install a generator in North Saanich, BC, for the end of April. Off we went on a 2-day trip in Unwined to the mechanic.

On the way to North Saanich we stayed at Maple Bay Marina. Maggie found a boat of her own there!

The trouble began when Mike opened the hatch to talk to the coverall-wearing mechanic about the location of the generator. Mike was surprised and troubled to find some spots of oil in the otherwise spotless white bilge, directly under the engine. The mechanic was tightly scheduled—just for a generator install. He couldn’t take time to diagnose the oil leak. It took 6 days alone just to finish the generator install.

Number one task to figure out the source of the leak. We measured the leak on our way back to Decourcy; about a tablespoon an hour (15 mL).

In Montague Harbor going back to Decourcy. No matter what the drama, we can depend on Maggie to need a row to shore on a lovely morning.

Mike talked with knowledgeable neighbors, friends of friends, and scoured websites desperate to determine if there is something he could do to diagnose and stem the leak. He narrowed it down to the port, bow side of the oil pan at the very bottom of the engine. Could there be a simple solution? Is it an expensive, professional, taking-much-of-June, solution? 

We really wanted to start our 3-month cruise in June. It’s likely to be more rainy and generally crummy in weather into September. Not a deal breaker, but it makes us pause. My sister Jeanne is generously taking care of Maggie the dog in August and September—a finite commitment. We will hit our 6-month annual limit as Americans in Canada sometime in October, depending on how long we’re in BC during the cruise.

We were extremely fortunate to be connected with a super-experienced marine diesel mechanic, who described himself as “like a Sasquatch.” He agreed to be picked up, after work, from a beach 10-minutes from Decourcy on Vancouver Island. We sped him back to Decourcy via our 18-foot rigid inflatable, chopping through 2-foot waves. While a Sasquatch would have a hard time fitting down in the engine compartment, he did an admirable job, partnering with Mike on localizing the leak (yup, out of the front of the gasket). They both awkwardly kneeled down to the bottom of the bilge, Mike on the port, Sasquatch on the starboard.They couldn’t see the bolts, only feel them with one hand at a time. Mike passed the torque wrench under the engine. Mike held the business end onto each bolt. Sasquatch held the handle, and tightened each bolt until we heard a satisfying “click.” Some bolts were actually were able to turn, which gave us hope that tightening them would help stem a leak.

With stifled grunting, they unfolded out of the engine compartment. Mike “kicked the tires and lit the fires” and we took Unwined out for a 20-minute sea trial. Sasquatch advised Mike to run the engine at high RPMs so that we could see, in quick order, if there was a serious problem. 

There was still a little oil leak of a teaspoon (5 ml), but less than before the operation.

“I would not let this size leak end your boating season,” advised Sasquatch. “Don’t stress about this, Mike.”

And with that, everything changed.

We rekindled our excitement and dove back into our ToDo list. One item added: create an oil drip capture solution.

We leave next week for our intermediate adventure: a week floating down the Nivernais Canal in the Burgundy region of France. I’ll do my best to send an update of that trip. 

Footnotes for Fun Fact Fans

(1) The tug didn’t come fitted with a heating system while we’re at anchor. While underway we can flip a heating switch to heat the cabin. When plugged into shore power we set up a small, cozy, ceramic heater. 

(2)We felt we had three choices for heat at anchor. 1) A plumbed system from a diesel-fed heater hidden behind hatches or cabinets and using existing vents. 2) A diesel or wood stove that’s installed in the cabin. Or, 3) A generator. All of these methods are popular. We crossed off #1 for being overkill and probably not feasible. #2 would take up too much space. So we opted for #3, a generator. Unwined came to us with a generator but we removed it because it was hardly used and its decrepit parts created a mess in the bilge. Frankly, we didn’t need it in the Bay Area. 

(3) There has been a shortage of marine mechanics for years. It would be a great, well-paying secure career choice!

Nature lovers extra: wild flowers. I’ve never been to Decourcy this time of year. I captured these flowers  that I’m seeing for the first time.

Chocolate lily 

Woodland Star

Maiden Blue-Eyed Mary

Fairy Slipper