Adventures of Orcinius

11 September 2015 | HOME - Vancouver WA
24 August 2015 | 46 11.4'N:123 51.4'W, Port of Astoria Marina
22 August 2015 | 46 42.0'N:132 09,4'W, 330 West of CR Bouy, Astoria
21 August 2015 | 46 41.8'N:136 13.8'W, 500 West of Astoria
20 August 2015 | 46 22.82'N:140 28.00'W, East end of High
20 August 2015 | 46 22.80'N:140 28.32'W, Middle of High Same as Fish
20 August 2015 | 46 22.79'N:140 28.57'W, Middle of High
20 August 2015 | 46 22.7'N:140 30.2'W, 675 Miles West of CR
20 August 2015 | 45 57.6'N:144 54.0'W, East End of the High
18 August 2015 | 44 38.2'N:147 57.0'W, 1000 NM to Astoria
18 August 2015 | 43 31.0'N:150 28.0'W, 1126 NM to Astoria
17 August 2015 | 41 40.1'N:153 00.1'W, 1200 miles West of Astoria
16 August 2015 | 39 30.1'N:154 53.1'W, West end of the North Pacific High
15 August 2015 | 37 34.5'N:156 00.0'W, 1011 North of Oahu
15 August 2015 | 37 04.5'N:156 23.0'W, 983 North of Oahu
14 August 2015 | 34 12.3'N:157 26.1'W, 800 North of Oahu
13 August 2015 | 31 50.0'N:158 06.5'W, 650 North of Oahu
12 August 2015 | 29 02.0'N:158 51.0'W, 330 North of Oahu
11 August 2015 | 26 32.0'N:158 59.0'W, 330 North of Oahu
09 August 2015 | 23 44.1'N:158 49.4'W, 140 N of Oahu

Frustration Plus

13 June 2015 | Savusavu
John
Yes it is a never ending saga. Something must go wrong or it isn't a normal day on a sailing yacht.

Two days ago we went out to fill our water tanks, empty our holding tanks and try to catch some fish. Yes that is the second time and that was after replacing our head to holding tank hose two day before that. We are motoring around trolling for anything we can catch.

Nothing happening but after about 3 hours the generator just up and quit. A few days before we changed the Oil in the engines and generator and also changed the first stage fuel filters for the engines. The next day we went out fishing with the guys and Josiai and all be darned if the port engine didn't quit. Changed the Primary filter on the engine and all was well. Then when we got into port we changed the primary on the starboard engine in sympathy for the port engine. So now starts the generator problem. Remember this is a brand new generator that we installed back in Port Denarau a little over a month ago. It only has 125 hours on it. Because I had a problem lifting fuel from my primary tank to the old generator I took to putting my first stage filter and electric fuel pump on this genset also. For whatever reason and whoever installed the original genset ran the fuel line all the way to the aft of the starboard hull then down through the engine compartment then back forward to the fuel tank, about 18 feet plus three foot of lift.

Well I figured that the old filter system I used might be the culprit I changed the canister filter. Did not fix it. I had also installed the inline fuel pump ahead of that filter and I came to believe that it might have been clogged so I replace it and put it after the filter. This fuel pump is connected to the generator fuel pump so both come on at the same time. After priming it several times and it sounds like it is full of fuel I start the genset and it runs for about a minute then shuts down. I have no way of measuring the pressure from the fuel pump so it is a guess as you go thing. I know for certain that it is a lack of fuel to the injector pump but don't know if it is loss of fuel or insertion of air. In the process of trying to eliminate culprits, I decided to eliminate about 8 feet of fuel line by altering it's route to the tank. Then we blew it out with some scuba air and checked the pickup to see if it was clogged.


In our cabin - birth pulled apart - checking out the hose.


What the heck is going on?!


Moses (lying on the genset, and Malo - working it from outside)

The entire day is spent chasing this down when we finally try and set up a day tank using one of the 14 jerries of diesel fuel. After about an hour of tinkering and using my spare jerry the engine seems to run perfectly well set up so the onboard fuel pump does not have to lift fuel from the tank but only take it at the same level. So we modifiy a lid and a lid insert on one of the spare jerries and connect a feed and return line to the jerry to run the diesel from this make shift day tank to the genset. Ben running ever since. I am still not done but today is a day of rest (Sunday) and I am giving the guys a break.

Probably more of a break from my frustration than the work because I think once we get back into again tomorrow I might have a better attitude that they can deal with. All for now and will let you all know how it turns out.

John
Comments
Vessel Name: ORCINIUS
Vessel Make/Model: Lagoon 440
Hailing Port: Vancouver, Washington
Crew: John LeDoux & Lisa Danger
About:
Sailing since the mid 90's. Prior to this trip, 4 sailing adventures from Vancouver WA to the San Juan and Gulf Islands in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Bought ORCINIUS in West Palm Beach Fl in April 2010. Sailed her South through the Panama Canal and back up the West coast to home port. [...]
Extra: Lisa is the real captain. I have never been at the helm when docking or anchoring, she has a great touch to docking.
Home Page: www.orcinius.com

Who: John LeDoux & Lisa Danger
Port: Vancouver, Washington