So far, and though admittedly we haven't gone very far or been in anything particularly rough, I have to say I am very happy how well all the systems are working on the boat. Of course, most of it is brand new, but in a way this has been the shakedown for a lot of it, and it's performed perfectly.
Getting the radar installed was a pain but it paid off on day one, as we likely would not have been able to even leave Port Hadlock without it in the fog. We dodged a number of boats and ships we wouldn't have been able to see under normal circumstances.
The integration with the chartplotter, overlaying the radar picture on the chart, is also invaluable for confirming position and visualizing the situation. The chartplotter itself is something else we wouldn't have been able to do without, as we have a small gap in our charts between Point Roberts and Vancouver. Picking our way along the edge of Robert's Bank and through the forest of nav buoys off the Fraser River (with its heavy commercial traffic and currents) with just the depthsounder and our Mark I eyeballs would have been a real drag, especially under sail.
And having the autopilot to do the driving has been a lifesaver as well. This coming from two people who spent two years hand-steering everywhere... letting the machine drive is infinitely preferable. While we still have to have one of us on deck all the time and keeping a lookout (especially in these waters, near major West Coast harbors and full of deadheads and small craft), the AP allows that person to stay forward in the shelter of the dodger instead of in the weather at the wheel, and allows them to spend more time navigating, looking around, and performing other small tasks (pee breaks!) that otherwise would require another set of hands at the wheel. This reduces fatigue considerably. I can't imagine our 16 hour day yesterday if we had had to hand-steer the whole way.
I even got our solar panel jury rigged yesterday when it was sunny and monitored it putting a charge on the batteries (we were running down a little with heavy radar use from the day before).
Right now the only real drag is our diesel heater; it runs for like an hour then the fuel flow cuts out. While it's possible to heat the cabin somewhat like that, we have to partially disassemble it to get it going again every time, which is a problem when underway--you don't want your head down, below decks, sniffing kerosene while rolling around in chop. I need to call the manufacturer while we're in port today and see if they can give us any pointers. I've cleaned the thing, checked the fuel flow, and everything else I can think of but it's not obvious why it isn't working when I take it apart; it just starts working again after I do.
On the whole, I'm quite happy with things, though, and have an extra degree of confidence going forward that the boat is working as it ought to be.
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2 comments:
Scott, Regarding the heater. Does it have a bad thermocoupler, that seems to cool down during repair? Or do you have dirty fuel? Sometimes rust and other junk can foul the unit.So a fuel filter or tank cleansing is in order. Ed and I had a unit that burned too rich and just fouled things up. Carbons up the orifice. You can tell, if the inside of your chimney is flaky with soot. I liked your comments on Canada. I found the further north we got the more peaceful the lifestyle. It's like the citizens have only there own lives to keep in order. At times I feel their 40% income tax and additional sales tax is worth it. Especially when they can run to the States for the good stuff like fast Med Services. Alaska is the same way. Continue your journey with patience and safety afloat. Remember Sail boaters spend about 80 % of there time under power fighting current, weather and the hassle factor. Fair seas to Insergrevious. Scott
Hi Scott,
I'm beginning to think it's a combination of things with the heater. We did have some bad fuel, but I drained off the water and crud and things haven't improved. I also installed a new filter element to no effect. I was thinking that the fuel flow was excessive and tripping the safety float which closes off the supply, but after checking it, that doesn't appear to be the case either.
After checking the Dickinson website today, I think it may be some combination of fuel problems and air locks in the line. Once the fuel stops, even if it cools down it won't start again so I don't think it's anything thermal related.
We can limp along with it this way for a while but if I run across any shops that install the things as we go I'll have a chat with them and see if they have seen this sort of issue before.
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