December 19, 2013 - Oil change complete

Still laying here in the cold...

Hank came by today to change my engine oil and filter. The last time Hank was over, my oil transfer pump broke, Richard tried to make repairs but it is still broken. Hank borrowed another pump from Richard to complete the job.

After 15 minutes of warming me up for the oil extraction / replacement, the job was completed without any problems. I now have a complete oil and filter change good for another 50 hours... but Hank replaced my oil filter with a different brand and size. My old filter was a Kutoba now replaced with a Baldwin. The Kubota filters can only be purchased in Richmond where they sell Kuboto parts, this is about a 2 hour trip, so Hank opted for a locally purchased one, well ok... borrowed from Aaron. :)

Kubota filter on the left, Baldwin filter on the right.

You can see from the photo the difference in canister size. It should work, as Hank changes my oil every 50 hours or so, so size doesn't matter I hope.

Kubota filter is on the left, Baldwin filter on the right

Now sleeping in the cold again... it snowed today (Dec 20), great eh!

Tarka out.

December 08 2013 - Oil change...

Well, this morning Hank came out to check on me as we had a gale coming through the marina (northerly outflow). The docks were moving around like snakes in a grassy field with our stays screaming loudly. Lucky all us boats were "snug as a bug" and rode out the storm without mishap (I think).

In addition, Hank came out to do my oil change. This is usually a very simple job, as my engine has an extractor pump mounted in front of my engine, and also my oil filter is accessed from the front as well.

My diesel engine started instantly (around -1c) using my glow plugs; Hank just needs to remember to open my raw water intake valve, BEFORE he starts the engine! After 30 seconds or so he remembered to open the valve (no raw water coming out of the exhaust is a good indicator). He now places the keys by the valve.

After running my engine for 15 minutes or so, Hank is ready to change my engine oil. Rags, filter removal tool and empty oil container all set... two pumps on the extractor pump and my pump breaks!! So much for the oil change today. Hank removed the extractor pump to see what the problem is... needless to say upon taking the pump apart, a spring bonces out of the pump and is now lost somewhere in my engine compartment... so much for the oil change.

But as luck has it... my "Pump Doctor" -  Richard Grass just happened to stop by... Hank asked him if he could repair my pump, hopefully he as a spare spring for my pump.

So much for the oil change eh!

Well for now...

Tarka sleeping in the cold.. Tarka out!

December 04, 2013 - Impeller Repairs Cont'd

Well, Hank and Richard were successful in rebuilding my impeller... operation a great success! My impeller has been re-installed, filter and lines cleaned, diesel filters cleaned and lines hooked up, engine throttle lines hooked up put needs to be reset as I can now only reach 1800 rpm. Just a minor adjustment.

All hooked up... note the new bolts (recycled from my old zinc blocks) Still needs a bit of paint... no leaks!! The pump is brass, they say not to paint it, but it would look better if it was pained.

This is my exhaust / raw water connection, this was replaced a few years ago, still looks good.

My motor started up with any problems, no air in my diesel lines!! and NO leaks in my raw water system!! all works perfectly!

Just need to have a bit of paint here and there to complete the job.

Besides the painting, my oil change still needs to be done!

Now sitting in the cold, with an electric heater, waiting for Hank's return.

Tarka out!

November 30, 2013 - Impellor repairs...cont'd

Well, Hank got the tools necessary to remove my impeller... was very easy, quick and painless operation.

Now with my impeller on the service bench, pump doctor Richard Grass will perform the operation of removing the rusted bolts on the impeller. The extraction did not go well... now ALL the bolts have broken off, leaving the bolt shafts in the impeller body. These shafts must be extracted, or we have to replace the entire pump.

got one bolt out, but broken off the three other bolts.

Pump Doctor Richard Grass performing the operation

Using drill, harden drill-bit (which got broken), a special file (which got broken), and WD40 spray, they only got 2 out of 4 shafts out!

Pump doctor Richard took my impeller pump home to continue the repairs there... needs a vise and drill press... maybe need to drill out the remaining two shafts and  re-tap new treads.

Hank now waiting for the doctor's report and the successful operation. Failing that... a new pump needs to be ordered.

For now...

Tarka out!

November 28, 2013 - Cont'd of engine repairs - Impeller replacement

Hank continued to work on my impeller replacement. His fears were materialized... bolts are rusted completely through. The only option now is to remove the impeller completely and hope that the bolts can be removed... if not... need to replace the entire impeller!

Needless to say, access to remove the impeller will be difficult. You can only use one hand to remove the impeller

You can see from the photos, that the bolts have completed rusted off. While just removing the rust with a wire brush, one of the bolts head came off.

Having a small camera works great; you can get into cramp spaces and see what you are getting into. Note the lower left bolt head is now broken off... rusted completed through. Hopefully we can still remove the bolt, once we have it on the bench.

Hank has now removed all the "stuff" around the impeller for ease of removal... diesel filter, engine controls, all raw water hoses (they now may need replacing as well). wiring, etc.

Now all Hank needs is a universal socket joint to remove the last mounting bolt...

That is it for today...

Tarka out!

November 27, 2013 - Engine Repairs

Today, Hank came over to check up on me... sitting here... waiting for something to happen. For the last month or so, the "birds" have taken over the marina! More shit (bird droppings) that I have ever experienced. My deck, cockpit, boom cover completely covered with the stuff... not nice! To top it all, the marina has shut down the water for the winter (lines will freeze up). Needless to say, Hank will not be cleaning my deck for a while, hopefully the rain will take some of it away.

In addition to checking on me, he is going to replace my raw water impeller; the little water pump that takes the ocean water and pumps it through my heat exchanger. Hank has not replaced the impeller since May 10, 2010, so it is due.

By the looks of the pictures... something needs to be done!

looks like this will take some time to remove the four little bolts.

rust and salt encrusted to say the least

needed to remove all the stuff for access to the side of the motor.

 
Only 4 little screws to undone, pull out the impeller and replace it with a new one. Sounds simple, but that job will take the entire day or more. Problems...
Access:
Getting access to the pump, you have to take the entire cabin apart, then removing the diesel lines and filter.

the impeller is on the left rear side of the motor.

Then somehow remove the rusted bolts. you need to lay on your back, squeeze through an access port, using one hand to to the work. The guy who designed the pump location should be flogged!

Could not finished the job today, as I need to buy a special screw driver or ? to remove the rusted bolts.

Hank will be back as soon as he has the parts...

Tarka out!

November 02 2013 - Winter get ready

Well this is it, it seems that Hank is getting me ready for the winter.

He was over this weekend removing a lot of my deck equipment and storing the stuff at home or in my cabin.

Bimini top removed, Boom vang line and jib sheet lines (replaced with old lines), lazy jacks brought down so my boom cover will fit properly to give better protection of my main sail, removed all stay covers, added extra fenders to protect my hull, removed the BBQ, removed little Tarkie's engine, removed the cockpit seat, removed all flags, put back the dehumidifier,

However, Hank always leaves enough sailing gear on board, as we sail year round.

Now sitting here, half naked, waiting for the winter storms to arrive and going for the occasional winter sail.

Tarka out!

Oct 26 2013 - Snug Cove - With Caroline and Aaron

Another get away trip to Snug Cove... just to get away. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a peaceful sunny weekend with friends.

We left on Friday morning... setup camp, sort of speak... waiting for Caroline to arrive the following day by ferry (she has to work).

Hank went for long walks up the hills sides, even got up to the look-out buff!

It is nice being the only colourful boat around, I sort of stand out in the crowd.

Hank greeted Caroline at the ferry terminal in the morning, spending the rest of the day going for walks, drinks, dinners, etc.

Caroline is on this ferry!

Aaron arrived on Rosa Maria later in the day, mooring next to us, as usual. :)

Aaron, Kia and Rosa Maria coming over to spend the weekend with us.

That night was a bit cool, but my two electric heaters worked very well, keeping my cabin nice and warm.

Rainforest - going up to the look-out

Trail going up to the look-out

Looking out towards Vancouver

BC Ferry coming into view, with Vancouver as a backdrop

Union Steamship Store / Marina

resident otters, playing (etc.) right next to me, so far they have been very good and not given me any presents. :)

We had a nice breeze to take us most of the way home.

Now resting again at home waiting for my next adventure

Tarka out!

Oct 15 2013 - Snug Cove - Caroline's birthday!

Another trip to Snug cove! Caroline's Birthday get away, staying for two nights.

We thought that Snug Cove was all booked up, but at the last minute, Hank got a phone call, they had an opening... A07!
yes... I guess we somehow always make it to the top of their cancellation list.

Motored over; no winds; arrived, tied up, no problem. This is becoming so routine.

Hank "painted" the beach with Happy Birthday 60th!

Having a drink at Doc Morgan pub

This is the local library, directly across from the marina

Great sunny weekend... warm during the day, but a bit cool at night.

After 3 years coming to Snug Cove, we stumbled across this beach! great place to sit and have a coffee.

Same beach, but looking East towards Whistler direction

Caroline taking a picture of her birthday greeting on her iphone

It was a great weekend, lots of walks and good food. Hank and Caroline went to dinner the first night at "Left Bank" restaurant. The food was good as always, but coming a bit expensive for what you got. The next evening, having dinner at "Miska"... Hank's friend Lionel joined them as well.

We motor-sailed home on Monday... Hank and Caroline having thanksgiving dinner at the Club with all their friends.

When we arrived home, Hank cleaned up little Tarkie, as she was sitting in the water for weeks now. Her bottom was extremely covered with slim, baby muscles, etc. Hank is going to take her to her winter storage at the Club this week.

All in all... a great weekend.

Here I sit... waiting for my next adventure.

Tarka............. out!

Oct 7 2013 - Sail to Gibson - with my brother Will

Good day all... and a good day is was. Sailing with Hank and Will was great! Light winds, sunny day and even spent some time with the local dolphins.

Our trip took us around Bower Island, just north of Horseshoe bay, then up the Howe Sound, passing Collingwood Channel, arriving at Gibson... the site where "the Beachcombers" TV series was recorded, back in 1970's.

View up Collingwood Channel

As we motored / sailed around Bower Island, we ran into a pod of Pacific dolphins. They seemed to be milling around in one spot, most likely feeding on herring. This was Will's first time that he seen dolphins in the wild. We drifted by, enjoying the scene.

Jybe preventor at work

Will at the helm! did a great job!

The winds picked up a bit as we approached Collingwood Channel, allowing Hank to hoist all the sails, with Will at the helm all the way to Gibson (and back too!)

We arrived at Gibson, (A20 slip)... the place was almost deserted.

Hank and Will had a nice dinner with Robert McDonald, then retired into my cabin and watched a movie.

Next day, after an overly price breakfast at the hippie place, we sailed back for home, stopping just past Collingwood Channel for a great lunch. The boy's mum provided the homemade soap and bread for lunch.

Mum's homemade soup and bread!!

After lunch we motored home... now parked in my slip... waiting for the next adventure.

Tarka out!

Oct 05 2013 - Overnight stay at Snug Cove, Bowen Island

Another evening at the Snug!

Hank took me over to Snug Cove on Sunday and came home on Monday afternoon. Caroline was not feeling very well, so only Hank came over... his friend Aaron was there as well with his sailboat.

On arrival, we noticed that there were very few visiting boaters... must be getting near the end of the tourist season.

Hank and Aaron had a nice dinner at Doc Morgan's pub, with after coffee's aboard "Rosa Maria", Aaron's boat.

Hank noticed a Lagoon Catamaran parked at Snug Cove

That night, it rained "cats and dogs" but we stayed nice, warm and dry inside my cabin... with the electric heater working to the max.

Hank met his new Catamaran Skipper friend from the Lagoon Cat he met at Silva bay a few weeks ago. He was taking some charter customers on a 62 ft power boat... nice eh!

Bowen's Island wildlife tree... still standing! amazing eh!

Next morning... back to Vancouver, as Hank needed to have some medical work looked after.

Not much to say on this trip... no winds :( so no sailing.

Maybe next time

Til then... Tarka out!

September 17, 2013 - Cooling system repairs

Today... Hank tackled the repairs to my cooling system. a simple investigation, proved to be the "possible" answer to the problem.

This is the inside of the front end cap; you can see the left over zinc and the new zinc just recently installed

Here is can see the possible problem... some of the cooling lines are plugged.

Rear cap from the cooling system

I used a wire for cleaning all the lines... worked very well.

Hank removed the cleaning caps of my heat exchanger, to find a lot of "stuff" that was plugging some of the cooling tubes.

Simple repair job... just clean the tubes!

Now we just need to find replacement gaskets!

Still looking for the parts...

Tarka out.