24 November 2016 | 26 41.15'S:153 7.72'E, Mooloolaba, Australia
13 November 2016 | 25 54.12'S:153 01.72'E, Tin Can Bay, Australia
12 November 2016 | 25 31.69'S:152 57.91'E, Fraser Island, Australia
31 October 2016 | 24 45.38'S:152 23.72'E, Bundaberg, Australia
30 October 2016 | 23 52'S:153 55'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
29 October 2016 | 23 28'S:156 47'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
28 October 2016 | 22 57'S:159 54'E, On Passage - Noumea, New Caledonia to Bundaberg, Australia
27 October 2016 | 22 40'S:163 13'E, On Passage - Noumea to Australia
26 October 2016 | 22 22'S:166 10'E, On Passage - Noumea to Australia
18 October 2016 | 22 16.60'S:166 26.40'E, Noumea, New Caledonia
17 October 2016 | 21 37'S:168 13'E, between Vanuatu and New Caledonia
14 October 2016 | 19 31.57'S:169 26.66'E, Port Resolution, Tanna I, Vanuatu
14 October 2016 | 19 31.57'S:169 26.66'E, Port Resolution, Tanna I, Vanuatu
14 October 2016 | 19 31.90'S:169 26.98'E, Mt. Yasur, Tanna I, Vanuatu
12 October 2016 | 19 31.58'S:169 29.65'E, Port Resolution, Vanuatu
09 October 2016 | 20 14.36'S:169 46.63'E, Aneityum, Vanuatu
03 October 2016 | 20 14.36'S:169 46.63'E, Aneityum, Vanuatu
02 October 2016 | 19 39'S:172 03'E, On Passage from Fiji to Vanuatu
01 October 2016 | 18 43'S:174 16'E, On Passage from Fiji to Vanuatu
27 September 2016 | 17 40.88'S:177 23.16'E, Vuda Marina, Fiji
it's not always a pleasure cruise
13 October 2014 | 33 27.59'N:117 42.33'W, Dana Point, California
Mark
Today was no fun at all.
Our plan was to pull up the anchor in Two Harbors and head to Avalon for the night before crossing back to Dana Point on the mainland.
But, the anchor did not want to come up. No, it wasn't stuck and no the windlass wasn't broken. But, for some unknown reason the chain decided to become horribly twisted as we raised it and constantly jammed and jumped off the chainwheel every few feet. I wasn't sure if we were going to get it up at all. Compounding the problem was that we were anchored in very deep 80' water and so had lots of chain out. I would be able to raise the chain a couple of feet and then, wham, it would jam hard. After backing it out a foot or two I was able to raise it a bit more. What a start to the day.
Then, as soon as we started motoring towards Avalon I could see the the starboard engine was puking black smoke - never a good thing. It also had no power at all and couldn't keep up with the port engine. The good news here is that we have two engines and so were not completely stuck! We changed our plans to start making our way slowly to the mainland as I began to troubleshoot the engine. I changed all the filters in case there was a fuel problem. Checked the air filter. I also dove under the boat while about half way to Dana Point to check if the prop was fouled and causing the engine to work too hard. After three hours of trouble shooting without success I finally pulled the mixing elbow off the back off the engine and found the problem. It was almost completely clogged with carbon and rust. Luckily I was able to hammer out enough of the clog to get the engine running again. But, I will definitely need a new elbow. In fact, I'll buy one for each engine since if one if clogged, its brother is probably not far behind.
Since bad things come in threes, the tachometer on the other engine decided to have a fit today, as well. It is working again, but for a while there I was certain that there were some active gremlins on the boat.
That's enough for now. I need to start hunting the local marine dealers for parts - after I have a beer.