08/28/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
NIGHT SHOT OF JUNESSA AT MARINA
Today was filled with ups and downs....
I was able to get the Link 20 battery monitor working. I fully charged the two Gel batteries then reset the Link20. It seems to be working as advertised now! Awesome!
The VHF radio is working like a champ! The WHAM X4 remote radio seems to be working as well. I have manuals out the whazoo, and just haven't allotted any time to read them. (who needs stinking manual anyways??? Apparently I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I cleaned up the cabin and got a box of returns ready to take back to Fisheries in Seattle. I've been buying ALOT of parts from a few shops over the past year and now it's time to cash in the unused parts for the sailing kitty! ching!!!
I also took the boat covers off... Really makes the boat feel BIGGER without them! I had to take them down because of the high winds today. The boat was healing over from the winds... it actually felt like I was sailing (sailing at the docks... how pathetic is that?!!? ) Maybe tomorrow will be the day I get away from this dock...
A major downer today was when I was on the stern mounting the Barbie... I noticed the block of teak wood I made up to hold the radar mount was cracking!!!! And to add salt to the wound, the clevis pin that Questus supplied was rusting after only a month.... ARGH!!!! That radar mount had been a MAJOR PAIN IN MY YOU KNOW WHAT!!!! So, now I have to re-think the whole darn thing. I'm not happy!
I titled this blog PLAN A or PLAN B because you all know that Plan A was to head NORTH to Alaska before it got COLD.... Well, this summer flew by and signs of COLD are already here in Gig Harbor, Washington... trees are turning color, blackberries are ripe, and I had a JACKET on this morning!!!!! A jacket already!!!!!!! So, if it's getting chilly here, than a 1000 miles NORTH it's gonna get COLD very soon!
Plan B.... huummmm Plan B..... Test the boat in the San Juan Islands just North of Seattle, then if all goes well- HEAD SOUTH to Oregon, California, Mexico and Panama then turn right and head out into the vast Pacific. I really should rename the boat 'PLAN B'........ What do ya think???
Cheers!
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08/26/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
This is one dirty job!!! Cleaning the slime off the bottom of boats!!! I'm really glad, Mr. ????? (I'm having a brain fart, I can't remember his name now)... anyway, I'm glad I was able to catch him doing other boats, so now I have a clean bottom... I even took a shower today to complete the cleaning... haha
JUNESSA has a copper sheeting over the entire bottom to keep the bugs from attacking the hull... I had the bottom painted with anti-fouling/anti-slime paint last fall, but it just doesn't keep the slippery slimy stuff off the boat.
I'll be jumping over the side to clean the bottom in some far flung WARM anchorage... like MEXICO in the not to distant future!!! Bring on the sunscreen and CERVEZA!
Cheers!
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08/26/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
It's been a very busy couple days!
The good news first:
I have ship power, I got the engine working yesterday, I got the Garmin Chartplotter/GPS/Radar units working today and the bottom was cleaned today.
The Bad news:
The Link 20 battery monitor still isn't working as advertised. I've talked to the support folks and they think I have a wiring problem or a bad unit. I checked and re-checked the wires and they are all in the right place. So, Tomorrow will be reboot the system and if that doesn't fix it, I'll have to get another one. bummer!
The high-tech voltage regulator isn't working either. I talked to their support people as well and they think I might have a ignition switch problem or other wiring issues... another bummer! Two days working on that problem and the only way I can get the thing to work is to give the regulator power from the battery then all works fine. More troubleshooting.....
I changed gears and decided to tackle the other critical piece of my puzzle... The Navigation System! I also changed tactics on the install. Instead of running the wires and making it look pretty, then finding out it doen't work... I just grabbed all the wires and connected them as per the instructions and hit the power buttons. Wouldn't you know it, the Garmin System was the FIRST system that actually worked the first time with NOOOOOO issues! The Chartplotter found my location in 30 seconds and the Radar was ready to scan at start up! Wow! I could've been 1/2 way to Alaska if all the other systems had cooperated as well....
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08/24/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
I went to bed last night full of excitement at finally getting ship power online, I woke up to the No.2 Battery dead and my battery monitor all lit up... "Oh Crap! What's wrong with the system???" Luckily Joe from Seattle stopped by to say hi. He looked at my wiring for 1 minute and said "these two are wrong and did you hook up the battery charger cables to the battery?" I was so tired last night, that I forgot to hook up the charger cables, and I had the battery switch labeled wrong.... OFF, 1, BOTH, 2 (SUPPOSED TO BE OFF, 1, 2, BOTH), so after making the necessary changes, I was almost back in business... The Link 20 battery monitor was still giving me some funny readings, so I pulled the control head and found two wires had popped out. I ended up rewiring the whole darn monitor (see photo above).
I've been on the charger all day and everything seems to be working as advertised!!!!! What a relief!!!
Holly and Chena dropped by to celebrate a major accomplishment with the boat. We had the best lasagna ever at a little cafe' downtown Gig Harbor (I'll get the name tomorrow) then off to see Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D... I wish they would make more 3D flicks!!! It had some really neat special effects.
I also got the autopilot to work! Cha Ching! One more MAJOR system that needs to be in working order before I shove off.
Tomorrows goals are to fire up the engine and wire the Garmin Chatrtplotter/GPS.
I'm getting close to shoving off.... fingers and toes are crossed!
Have a great weekend!
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08/23/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
I FINALLY HAVE SHIP POWER!!!!!!!!! After three days (more like a month, but who's counting) of working 14 hours a day, I plugged in the last fuse and whalaaa! POWER!
I was complaining about the previous owners of JUNESSA, how they had a rats nest of wires everywhere, well.... I pulled all their wires and now I HAVE MY OWN RATS NEST. I'll start securing the wires tomorrow. I'll also test the shore power charger and ready the VOLVO engine for a test run tomorrow afternoon.
Everything just might come together this weekend! I'm starting to get excited about this trip again... I was running into one pit-fall after another and was starting to have major doubts.
I had someone from Seattle look over the boat and offer some ideas. When I mentioned that the oven didn't work and I was thinking of chucking it, he said "let me take a look at it" and guess what..... He pushed and HELD the knob IN while hitting the igniter switch and she fired right up!!! Pays to know how these darn things work!!! (I don't have the operators manual). So, I'm back in business of feeding myself.
I've been on iChat with my Dad all day. We just leave the cam on and chat between climbing around the boats. Pretty neat when technology actually works. (Apple MacBooks using iChat program)
I see it's way past my bedtime AGAIN...1245am. Time to hit the shower and to bed. I don't fall right to sleep anymore, I drift off seeing schematics and wire!!!
Looks like my departure date will be pushed back another weekend. The Motor, Nav equipment, autopilot and water systems are next. CRAP!
Cheers!
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08/21/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
Today was a fairly productive day! I ran all the HEAVY battery cables, installed the Link 20 battery monitor system, replaced a engine cooling hose, moved the coolant reservoir, and make myself dinner (can of soup)!
These new battery cables are a bear to work with!!!! It's like wrestling a python all day and loosing most of the time...
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08/20/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
Hello from the bowels of JUNESSA!!!
I have a pile of electrical pieces/parts to install in the next couple days so I can get away from this dock.
JUNESSA is getting all new battery cables, battery monitor, start battery and upgrades to all LED nav lights.
I'm trying to minimize my power consumption while away from a marina and shore power. The LED's inside and out should help tremendously!!! Those little buggers are so energy efficient that they hardly show a reading on my amp meter!
It's finally started raining here... the Seattle area has been under a drought (while I was in the Philippines) and now the NORMAL Seattle weather has moved in just in time for my arrival. Oh well!
I've been working on the boat from about 10am to midnight everynight I've been back. I really want to get going soon, but everything I touch brakes!!!! What gives???? Maybe it's drinking and working don't mix???? Naaaaaa! :)
I've been adding a block of ice to the ice box each week and it keeps the drinks and snakes ICE COLD!! I'll probably put refrigeration in later on when I'm in the Tropics.
I really want to get away from using the diesel motor for power! I plan to upgrade to more Solar panels, a wind-generator and maybe a water generator. They make a portable inverter that converts boat DC power (battery) to AC power like in your house. That way, I can still use the computer, cameras and maybe a microwave.
Well, it's almost midnight again and I have to get up extra early tomorrow.
If you want to see photos of something or more discussion about a certain topic..... just leave a comment. (right there at bottom right of this blog)
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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08/11/2008, Near Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
Hello from the Philippines again!!!
I've been over here for about a week doing some required training. It's really nice being back in the warm climate!!! However, the first couple days felt like I was in a sauna, but I've acclimated quickly to the heat and humidity...
You can see exactly where I'm at by clicking SPOT ME (Rick's location) over there to the right---->>
I should be heading to the Manila airport this afternoon then on to Seattle to get back to boat repairs. I'm really looking forward to sailing the warm tropical waters of the South Pacific.
Next blog should be from the deck of JUNESSA in Tacoma, Washington.
Cheers!
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08/02/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
This was a major accomplishment today.... blowing up my globe. It's so easy to SIT and daydream of all the places I want to sail to. Then comes the naps and food runs and bathroom breaks... no wonder I'm still tied to the dock!
Actually I did get some small projects done today. I finished the sailing instrument wiring job and cleaned out the boat.
New departure date: August 15th!!!
I'll head North as far as I can before the cold sets in. I hope to reach PETERSBURG Alaska, but we'll see..
Cheers from Gig Harbor!
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08/01/2008, Gig Harbor, WA
I'm back on JUNESSA enjoying life... well, that might be a bit stretching it... I've been fighting with the boat, trying to get her seaworthy.
I did get the new Rule 2000gph bilge pump working! Ya!
I'm now working on building the two battery boxes in the aft settees. I hope to have that project down this weekend!
I've come to the conclusion that once the safety systems are up and running, I'm outta here! I'll finish all the other projects in some far flung anchorages (probably in the middle of Gig Harbor) but I need to get away from this dock!
Stay tuned! More to come!
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Today was semi-productive... I mounted the two VHF radios, hoisted all three sails and worked with Greg the Canvas Guy.
I build a box from Oak to hold the Uniden UM 525 VHF radio. It's on the port side, next to the Garmin chartplotter. It was my first attempt at woodworking and it came out so so... I think I'll make another one down the road.
I mounted the Uniden wireless VHF (WHAMx4) outside in the cockpit area next to the autopilot controller. This little unit can be attached to my harness and works thru the base-station inside the boat. It can also be used as a walkie-talkie with the base-station which is pretty cool! I hope it works...
I drove all over town looking for a 21mm socket to remove the hotwater fitting on the engine. The first couple stores had 19, 20, 22, and 23mm but no 21mm... what gives??? More running around for me! I finally found one at the Sears back in Tacoma. I haven't tried it yet since I didn't really feel like a dirty midnight workout again.
I also got to try the new boat covers out. They're made of some special material, I forgot the name... sorry! Greg the canvas guy made up two large covers that cover the boat from bow to stern plus a sailing bimini with a window in it! He had to take the whole lot back to the shop for some adjustments. I really wanted the dark green, but he talked me into the white for the tropics to keep cool. Everyone that walked by said that it was a great idea going with white... oh well! we'll see how it works- maybe this winter in Mexico! Already planning for WINTER! I can't even get away from my slip...
Tomorrow is supposed to be a hot one for Seattle, 80's, so I'll be outside working on rigging, covers and probably the engine. I'll try and get some more photos on here soon...
Goodnight from Gig Harbor.
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Yesterday was a semi-productive day, filled with alot of "O-Crap!'s"
First order of business was to install the new 2000 gallons-per-hour bilge pump. I knew it was a tad bigger than the old 800 gph pump, but it was Longer and not much wider... so I thought! Have you ever tried to put your foot into a shoe that was two sizes to small??? Well, that's what I was attempting to do with the pump and bilge. ugh! I could not figure out why the pump was hanging up on something under the motor, so I had to dive deep into the engine room and almost on my head peer into the bowels of the bilge. 1st "OH CRAP!" I ended up pulling all the floor board, the aft water tank and tying a line to the pump from the front and pulling it as close to the water tank as I could. This seems to work, but it's really not right. OK, finally got into position, threaded the new discharge hose up and toward the rear of the boat.... 2nd "Oh Crap!!" my hose isn't long enough now that I moved the pump forward... sigh! Time for a beer!
Project number 2: removing the OLD hotwater pluming from the motor. I was able to remove the old fitting from the pump with relatively little hassles and install the new plug. Then it came time to remove the top tube. The only way to get at the nut was to cut the copper tube and then hope the socket will not stip out the old fitting. The cutting worked fine... (see photo) however; I didn't have a 21mm socket anywhere on the boat..... so, that one is on hold.
Project 3: Engine tune-up. The fuel filter came off easily enough, but decided to spit out diesel fuel everywhere! The oil filter was not gonna budge... The filter wrench would only contact a fraction of the filter, so after alot of slipping off and cussing, I got the darn thing off! The fresh water pump was another new project for me. Looked simple enough... remove five bolts holding the cover plate on, pull old rubber thing out and insert new rubber thingee, put cover plate back on-DONE! Well, it didn't quit work out like that! I had about a 1/2 gallon of water spraying everywhere, the rubber thing didn't want to let go and I couldn't find the paper-thin gasket. I ended up taking a beer break... looked in the box again and there was the gasket. Goes to show, that frequent breaks lead to better project success! :) especially when it's close to midnight!!!
Next thing is to change oil, adjust the engine valves and go buy a 21mm socket to remove that pesky fitting. Then top off the coolant, prime the fuel lines and light the fire! I sure hope she starts!!! I also have to go back into Seattle to get that special size hose. ugh!
Here's to good Aussie Beer and project completion!
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THE RADAR IS MOUNTED!!! YEAAAAA! A major hurdle has been overcome! The Quests guy suggested some adjustments to the system and walaaaa! It's UP!
I also pulled the Hot water lines, cleaned the bilge, rebuild the manual bilge pump and installed white plastic covers on all the shrouds.
Next BIG TO-DO's: Tune-up Volvo motor (replace oil and fuel filters, change oil, valve adjustment), install new bilge pump, install bow anchor roller and finish the wiring job, all in a week!!! ya right!
I better get a crack'n!
cheers from Gig Harbor, Washington!!!
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Ahoy Mates!
Today proved to be yet another fun filled radar mount disappointment followed by a afternoon/evening in the dirty bilge.
I called up the Quests Company and had a long talk with them... I sent a bunch of photos and we talked some more, still couldn't figure out why it didn't fit correctly. Looks like the only fix now is to bend the cradle tube so it clears the support pole.
I decided it was high time to get the bilge pumps working again, so I replaced the guts of the manual Henderson pump. That went relatively smooth. I now have a working hand pump!!! Cha Ching! I decided I should clean the bilge before I install the new electric pump, so off to the marine store for some bilge cleaner and long brush (you don't want to know how much that little trip cost!).
I had to pull the aft 35 gallon Stainless Steel water tank to get down to the nasty bilge (more cuts and bruises) Once I had a clear shot to the bilge, it was time to scrub and suck with the wet/dry vac for the next 4 hours!
I also got side tracked as I often do.... :) I started pulling the plumbing for the hotwater system and figuring out how I'll lay out the cold only water system. Long story short... I'm still not done with any of todays projects, but I look like I got into a cat fight and didn't fair to well....... tomorrows another day to excel. I'd cross my fingers but their to sore.
Night!
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This is Cliff the Rigger. He runs the West Marine Rigging Shop in Seattle and is down helping me finish up the standing rigging (all the cables that hold up the mast). Originally he came down to take measurements then make up all the cable in his shop. I then picked up the new cables and installed one by one by my lonesome! Up the mast, back down the mast, up the mast, well you get the picture! I was POOPED by the end of that day!
Cliff is smiling now, but neither of us were smiling about 1/2 hour later. I think the sailing gods are having fun at my expense! It turned out to be an allllllll day job to replace the two roller furler cables and tune the rig... and I'm still attached to the dock! What gives????
Here's to the sailing gods!
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Well, sports fans... I've run into even more problems with this Quests Self-Leveling Radar Mount!!! I had to go buy a tap to thread a whole that was supposed to be threaded all the way thru and wasn't. After spending all day messing around with that problem... we finally got the whole thing together and found that the arm would not swing in it's intended arc without hitting the support tube!!! (see photo above) I'm ready to pull the whole thing off and throw in the water!!!!
Some other items that I can cross off the To-Do-List are, put all three sails on, hooked up shore power, changed out halyards and installed new roller furling stays... sounds like alot, but I'm still dead in the water at the dock. I hope to make a major dent in the projects tomorrow!
Here's to crossing of projects from THE LIST!!!
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Here's the new teak block mounted with the radar mounting tube attached.
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I've had nothing but problems with this Questus Self-leveling radar mount!!! The latest issue was the bracket would would not work as advertised, so my friend Gary and I fabricated a teak block into something that would work. After alot of cutting, drilling and filing I was finally able to get it mounted. I thought it was a done deal until it was time to install it.... The stern anchor roller was in the way! So, out came more tools to remove the roller... Well, I think it's just about ready to mount the upper mount! That thing better fit!!!!!
Tomorrow is finishing up the standing rigging replacement (both roller furling cables) and then tuning the rig. I can't wait to put the sails on her!
More later!
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Along this flight North, we saw some stunning anchorages. I can't wait to drop the hook at spots like the one above!
I expected to see alot more boats heading North than the half dozen that we actually saw. I'm not sure if it was due to the high fuel prices or it was just early in the cruising season...???
We did fly over a couple HUGE Princess Cruise Ships! I sure hope I don't have to dodge these monsters of the sea!!!!
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I got to fly up the inside passage of British Columbia and Alaska all the way to Anchorage, AK. It was such a COOL trip (Literally! It was down right COLD!)
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