10/12/2007, Northwest Creek Marina, New Bern, NC
Capt Ken>
Pam received her tag this week. See the picture. This helps us remember where we want to be and our goals for the future. Plus it drives a lot of conversations as most folks in Cary are curious.
We got a late start due to my work and Pam's to-do list was still long. A busy week had left us behind schedule with many family responsibilities left to do: Groceries, Brad's Alergy shots; etc..
We stopped on the way at New Bern's Wal-Mart super Store and purchased supplies. They had some great looking shrimp and Pam was whining about needing a heater. We also found her a Heated Blanket; this should quieten her down a bit..
We arrived at the Lady in Red a little after 7pm; it is already dark. Loading the boat in the dark was fun; you never know if you have everything...
We had a Wal-mart chicken, Green Beans and Uncle Ben's rice for dinner and there was nothing left of the whole chicken after Pam and I dug in...Very good.
Good to be back aboard. We had a mechanic aboard during the week and had the throttle/shifter cable replaced; I am eager to see how it works.
Goal for the week is to re-inflate the dinghy and to start on the running rigging replacement items.
Pam>
As Ken said, I was able to check several things off my to-do list. I can't say more good things regarding Coastal Marine in New Bern, NC. I called them on Monday and they were out to the boat by Wednesday. Even though they had to order a part they had the boat fixed and running by Friday. Also I contacted Mikes Dive Service for the bottom cleaning. It seems that we have pretty salty water where we are so I have set it up that they come and clean the bottom every month.
Normally I get to our local food store and do our supply shopping before Ken is ready to depart, but this day was different. It took us longer at the Doctor for Brad's allergy shot so that threw my plans out the window. I figured that Walmart in New Bern would work. Little did I know that everyone goes shopping on Friday nights, they were busy! We got everything we needed and more and loaded up the car and headed to the marina. I really don't think we have this packing thing down yet. We seem to always bring more then is needed hopefully we will get better at that. When we got to the marina it was well past sun down so we loaded everything in the dock cart that we "thought" we had. Loading everything on the boat went well and dinner was great.
The movie for tonight was Surfs Up. It was really funny. We have to make sure Brad watches it.
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10/07/2007, Northwest Creek Marina New Bern, NC
Pam>
We woke up this morning to fog. It was so foggy that you could not see the water on the other side of the dock. Seeing as though today is Sunday we knew we wouldn't be doing alot this morning. After Ken got his second cup of coffee we strolled the docks. We met a new lab named Chester (he was soooo cute!).
After breakfast of hot links sausage we filled the water tanks, cleaned up the boat, and loaded the car to head back to Cary world.
Capt. Ken>
Having completed our fuel filter job and having an issue for the mechanic; we took it slow today. We had a great breakfast and enjoyed a very foggy morning before heading home.
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10/06/2007, Northwest Creek Marina New Bern, NC
Pam>
Well the above title says it all. This weekend has been dedicated to "blue" jobs. Ken and I had planned that this weekend we would get those pesty fuel filters changed. Ken had stated "why don't we try and if we mess it up we can always call the mechanic".
Ken and I arrived at the boat Friday evening. The traffic coming from Cary to New Bern was awful. When we left Cary it was raining, not hard but still raining, and I think everyone completely forgot how to drive in the rain. There were countless wrecks. After arriving safely to the marina we unloaded the car and carried everything to the boat. We had planned on cooking on the boat, but Ken had said that hotwings would be good. So you guessed it, BB Hurricanes got our visit once again.
Saturday morning after breakfast and a quick computer game for Ken we opened up the engine compartment to have a look. We made note of the filter number that we needed and observed that there were two filters. After making the list of everything we needed we headed off to the Captains favorite store, West Marine. During our little shopping spree we acquired two fuel filters, fuel cleaner stuff, a net for vegetables, and a new pair of Sperry sandels for Ken. By the time we got back to the boat it was lunch time so we did what we do the best, we ate!
After lunch we started the process of taking off the old fuel filter, after working in a very small space and having to turn his body in many different directions the filter came off without no problems. Then came the problem, trying to take off the plastic bowl thing (the Captain will be more detailed than I am) on the bottom of the filter. It would not come off. Ken pulled pushed everything you could think of trying to get that thing off. During this process Ken cut his finger. But after two bandaids it finally stopped bleeding and he continued on. Finally after much discussion we took the filter up to Mr. Bud, the dockmaster, and he took us into the shop where he had a vise. The cap came off smoothly with that. We went back to the boat attched it to the new filter and installed and primed the lines and started her up. Yeah it started!! now lets do the next one.
Well in the process of changing the second filter Ken noted that the second filter was different model number from the previous one. So you guessed it we made another trip to West Marine for the correct fuel filters. After returning to the boat Ken got back down on the floor and started to work on the second filter. We determined after draining it that it did not need to be changed, it looked good. So we now have a nice supply of fuel filters. Ken went up and started her up and it sounds great but everytime you put her in forward, it stalls. Reverse works fine. So on Monday I will call a diesel mechanic to come take a look. I will also call a dive service to come clean the bottom of the boat also.
After cleaning up we had a great dinner of steak and shrimp. The shrimp were LARGE and very good cooked on the grill. The steak was great also. After dinner it was movie time. Tonights movie is SWAT.
Capt. Ken>
As Pam put it; this weekend was designated a "blue" weekend as we needed to tackle the fuel filters. The Starboard filter has a clear bowl at the bottom of the filter and it is full of debris. "Blue" jobs are "difficult" mechanical jobs where "Pink" jobs are the "easy" cleaning or appearance tasks...you guessed it; I have the primeship for the Blues and Pam owns the Pinks... Actually, we do both but have fun with each other over who is in charge...
I must confess that I have been apprehensive about tackling this task as I have never touched a diesel engine before. I have read what I could find and felt confident and we can always call a mechanic if I screw it up...
We tackled the Starboard filter first; it is on the starboard bulkhead of the Engine Room and is accessed easily from the Galley. Not that getting into the galley between the refrigerator and the engine room with my "largeness" is an easy task; but you take what you were given and do your best. The filter is a Raycor R20S. I started by draining the clear bowl attached to the bottom of the element then removing the dirty filter. I used several disposable diapers for backup below my catch jug; this is a messy job. Once removed, the clear bowl has to be removed and cleaned before attaching to the new element. After trying everything that I could think of; I could not get it to budge. I finally decided to seek help.
Mr Bud, the dock-master was in his office enjoying lunch when we took him our challenge. He offered to help while he finished eating. He has a nice shop below the dock-office and with the aide of his vise and chain filter wrench; it came loose easily.
We then cleaned the bowl out which was full of sludge. We filled it with fresh, clean fuel after reattaching to the new element; then reinstalled. First part complete. Now we had to bleed the fuel lines, starting at the filter, moving toward the engine to the primary filter. Once the line from the primary filter is flowing fuel easily with no bubbles; time to test-start. She started and fired on the second attempt although running a little rough. Back down to the engine room to bleed at the injectors; the second from the rear did the trick; a few bubbles and then she ran smoothly. Starboard side filter complete.
We then tackled the Port side filter which is accessed from the Master Stateroom Head. More room on this side...After touching the filter; I realized another mistake; this filter is not quite the same (R24T). This resulted in another trip to West Marine (oh darn!). I could live in that store...
Once back on board, we went to work. This filter when emptied was not dirty at all. We repeated the same process for bleeding the lines. Once started another issue. Although the engine was running smoothly at idle; it seemed low (500rpms) and would not idle up beyond 1000 rpms. Also when put into forward gear, the engine would stall. Reverse worked fine. I suspected a linkage issue with the gear shifter/throttle cable. We decided to have a mechanic look into this for us.
Tired from the Blue Job, we grilled up Filet Mignon and these really big shrimp on bamboo skewers. This is one good meal as the sun goes down. Then a movie with the Princess. Priceless.
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