Monday, February 23, 2009

Fuel economy of Universal 5432 4 cylinder diesel: .68 gallons per hour

Just a quick note for all those equally interested in fuel economy these days. I just filled my tank and was able to do a precise calculation of fuel economy based on over 60 hours of motoring time in all conditions. Turns out Aeolus burns .68 gallons per hour in her Universal 5432 (M40) diesel. My boat speed averages something around 6 knots all things considered. I'm very happy with this efficiency.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Westsound trip and witness to boat fire!




Just back from a wonderful overnight to Westsound, Orcas Island with the boys and we had a bit of drama soon after arriving. I'll get to that in a minute. We left our slip in Friday Harbor at 11am and enjoyed a blue sky north wind trip tacking right up San Juan Channel. Maybe 10-15 knots of wind, which is just enough to get Aeolus to lean over and enjoy herself. I was able to get that "Oh my gosh I'm so damn happy" feeling and all was absolutely deeply right in our world for those three tacks up to the Wasp Islands.

We dropped sails for the serpentine motoring through Wasp Passage and turned north into lovely Westsound. Dropping anchor in about 40 feet of water just south of the county dock, I had no sooner prepared lunch and sat down in the cockpit than my son Elliott says "Dad, look at that smoke!". We were maybe 75 yards from the Westsound marina and sure enough there was ominous black billowing smoke coming up from a moored boat.

Well, suffice to say she was soon, like in seconds, fully engulfed in flames and became raging inferno. Wow, boat fires are scary things. So many combustibles aboard. As it spewed flames out every window and sent columns of smoke polluting the air, I watched as a small handful of people on the dock looked distraught about their seemingly ineffectual efforts. Much time elapsed before I heard sirens, maybe 20-30 minutes it seemed, though I know time gets distorted.

Next thing I know the boat is drifting back out of its slip ( I was later told by one of the dock employees that he had cut her free to keep her from burning her neighboring boat anymore and to avoid a wholesale marina fire) with the faint north wind doing the pushing. This whole time I had my boys staying low in the cockpit as I feared our close proximity and the potential of this big old powerboat having a large gasoline tank. I was waiting for the big explosion. As the boat, the Coho, drifted back, it was headed straight for the nearby island. I was guessing it was going to drift right up on that beach and catch that whole island on fire, and it seems only luck prevented that from happening. Any shift of wind could have had that burning thing drift right back north into me!

It didn't, but keep going south and out into the sound. Eventually the Friday Harbor fire boat arrived and the Coast Guard sent a small boat. Together they sprayed the fire out, but I must say the Friday Harbor fire boat had a very, very, unimpressive amount of water power. They seemed to be having trouble with their pumps or hoses as they pulled alongside the burning boat and then drifted there for many pregnant minutes trying to get things ready. After a long time, maybe 15 minutes, their small bow hose began working and shot what looked like a robust garden hose amount of water. They also had a hand hose or two, but really, nothing impressive compared to the size and ferocity of the fire needing quenched. Those guys were brave to be so close to a burning boat that could have exploded any second for all I knew. The Coasties applied some more impressive water power. The photo here is of the adjacent house boat badly burned by the Coho fire.

Eventually, burned down to her gunwales and looking more like a canoe than a proud wooden power boat of a bygone era, she sank. Immediately, my mind went to her fuel tanks and her engine and I thought of oil slicks and such. Fortunately, an oil boom was brought in and most of the fuel, diesel it turns out, had burned in the fire.

Anyway, quite dramatic. We dinghied over to the county dock and walked around Westsound and played on the beach to our hearts content.

Saturday, Amy ferried over with the car and we went over to hike up the south side of Turtleback Mountain. It's about 1.3 miles up to the Ships Peak lookout and worth every steep step. Views out over Crow Valley, north to BC, and just over to everywhere in the world. This photo is actually out over the Wasp Island and Westsound toward the Olympic Mountains. Turtleback Mountain is paradise and I'm so proud to work for the organization that helped preserve it forever.

After our hike, Amy caught the ferry back and we decided to head home too.

I have to say a few words about my son Elliott and what a competent sailor he is becoming:
To raise our anchor, the windlass controls are inside the boat at the inside steering station. We had out 120 feet of 3/8" BBB chain for our 3:1 and so I had no interest in bringing it all in by hand. Amy normally does the job, but with her gone, I trained Elliott in our hand signals and he did a 100% perfect job. Quick on and quick off and no trouble. I was so proud of him being 8 years old and my being able to trust him so much with an important thing. On the motor back (no wind), he continues to take the wheel for long stretches and knows how to steer by compass and hold a bearing. I even had him practice MOB procedures and he can handle all the engine controls himself too. When we got back to our slip, I had secured the stern and midship lines and Elliott was ready on the bow to throw the bow line. Knowing he is a dead and accurate aim, I had no worries. The bow began to drift off and was now maybe 7 or 8 feet away from the dock. Some people standing nearby started saying "Oh, look out" and such things. I said nothing, but calmly walked up to the spot and readied for his throw. When he skillfully heaved it, having already coiled it and made sure it was free of anything, it came straight to my shoulder. Perfectly. He then did the same thing with the port bow line. The people were stunned to see this little boy be so skilled. I was just all the more proud of my beautiful and capable boy.

Home safe and sound and better than ever for yet another adventure aboard the good ship Aeolus.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

New Hella cabin fan to help Force 10 diesel heater

Living in the NW means certain things are true about using our boat. One is that it is possible and desirable to sail year round, as the weather in winter is cold but not bitter, and the wind is better than summer. It is also wonderful having the San Juan Islands to ourselves from October to May! Cruising these off months means that besides never putting her away for the winter or winterizing, you must have a good cabin heater arrangement. I get a real kick out of looking at other Gulf 32's for sale in lower latitudes and seeing them without dodgers or cabin heaters.

It seems nearly every day on sailnet there is an active discussion about cabin heaters. Buddha knows there are lots of choices and arrangements. All I will say here is that what I have works beautifully and I hope to keep it forever. In fact, I just got on Ebay and bought a brand new factory wrapped replacement burner for my no longer made Force 10 diesel cabin heater. Parts cannot be obtained anymore really, not even from Fisheries Supply here in Seattle.

Anyway, quick note on fuel. I tried everything to run biodiesel in the Force 10 and no go. Biodiesel has a higher flashpoint than even dino diesel and it just doesn't get hot enough in the burner assembly to vaporize and burn. I smoked the boat a couple times after massive priming efforts before I gave up. I now burn only Kerosene, as it is super clean and never seems to leave any carbon.

Separate from the stove, which really pumps out heat, Aeolus came with a Guest cabin fan mounted right by the exhaust pipe. Damn thing was way too loud and I have always wanted to replace it. Well, finally I have. I got a Hella Turbo large and installed it today. So quiet in comparison, something less than half the noise, and uses 1/4 the amps: .2 instead of .8. Win-Win.

Between the heater and the fan, Aeolus is perfectly toasty inside on the coldest NW night. Meaning, you can be only in your pajamas and read a book and not have your fleece hat and down jacket on! And this even though she has all these new tempered glass windows and the hull is not insulated.

My friend and intrepid Alaska explorer Peter Frost of nwexpeditions.com took his 27 O'Day and painstakingly insulated her whole hull, I think, and added a wood burning heater. Hard core. Now he, and she, are both truly NW winter worthy!

Dri Dek cockpit flooring done


Just a quick post to say I have finished installing Dri Dek in the cockpit and am happy about it. Not too cheap, even from Defender, but the benefits in drier, cleaner feet should be worthwhile. Also think it will be good to protect the cockpit floor from the inevitable impacts of dropped things.

My primary concern had been that the tiles would slip around under my feet, but it turns out there is enough friction in the system and it touches enough edges that it doesn't happen. You'll see I didn't buy the edge pieces. Turns out on a Gulf the cockpit is perfect width for two tiles to cover all but the drain sides, which don't need it anyway. At the very back, behind the wheel, I cut the tiles to just fit up against most of the edges. Seems to lock it all into place quite well. Figure this should be fine until we head down the coast someday and get rolled over 80 or 90 and the whole thing flops around!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Unrelated but hilarious photo of our dog with his head in a bucket!


This has nothing to do with Aeolus but I just have to post this for family and friends. Our Cardigan Corgi named Oski, stuck his head into a plastic chicken feed container tonight, and Amy found him outside stupefied. It was truly pathetic and hilarious. We had to cut the damn thing off his head, and he barely moved the whole time.

Oski is a seafaring beast and so maybe that is my link to the purpose of this blog. Between his short legs and lack of head, it is truly a sight!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Windrope boys to Jones Island


The Windrope boys of all three sizes headed off to Jones for adventure while Amy is away on a ski trip of her own. Rounding Shaw to catch some different scenes, we came to view the beautiful expanse of water laying between Lopez, Shaw and Orcas. On cue, the sun burst through the fog and we lunched drifting along while bathed by photons.

The course between Shaw and Orcas so delightful and twisty, a treat for all the senses. Blind Bay here, Turtleback there, West Sound and Crane Island and all those little isles. Went through Pole Pass for the first time and as we approached Elliott said "Dad, do you know where you're going?". Now that's a good first mate.

Tucked into the north cove of Jones as SE winds were forecast. Dinghied over and hiked the West loop backwards compared to our normal start from South Beach. Every step a joy. Every step a chance for Elliott and Owen to feel the freedom of wild places. They run ahead, they fall behind, they're up a tree and down a ditch. They can do no wrong here: nothing to break or to fear. It dawned 28 degrees this Saturday morning, but by the time we started our walk on Jones at about 2pm, it was a balmy 40 or so.

By the time we made it around to South Beach, happy and refreshed, the sun was there and we were able to play for a while. The boys took off to be humans, and I layed on the beach to absorb myself in thoughtful sunfilled reflection. Hearing them cavort around made my daddy heart sing. I realize this may sound silly, but there is nothing silly about the importance of kids having free time in a wild place. They invented all sorts of fun games and had each other in stitches, climbing the cliffs and throwing rocks in the water.

A cozy night on Aeolus with the cabin heater keeping us warm above the chill outside. A nearly full moon lighting the water all around.

This morning we headed out for our adventure of rounding the East side of Jones, where there was once a trail but now no more. It was perfection. My little Owen, just four years old, just motored all over the fallen logs and along the cliff edges while big brother Elliott showed the way. There was just enough sign of the old trail for it never to be in doubt, and just enough downed logs and such to make it feel adventurous to the boys. Beautiful pocket beach after beautiful pocket beach after beautiful pocket beach. Astounding.

This was a perfectly normal and uneventful weekend of a dad with his two sons. Yet so much more. It was yet another deposit into the bank account of their personal development and connection with the natural world. It was another opportunity for them to realize how free they can be in nature, how close to the source, how unfiltered an experience. No matter their adult preferences, they will never forget that they had a ton of great times away from urbanity, and perhaps, that it is a place they can always return to for refreshment. For me too.

We had to motor back as the forecast 10-20 SE wind never came.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

New Sunbrella wheel cover

Just finished my new wheel cover and it was a complicated sewing project. Old cover was toast but I used it for a template. New one was made with a bit more slack and isn't perfect looking, but works perfectly. A really fun project, and it really spruces up the boat. Now with the new cockpit cushions, wheel cover, dodger (which I didn't make myself) and sail cover, the canvas is all Sunbrella Captain's Navy and I think she looks mighty Bristol! I've also recently installed DriDek in my cockpit which makes us happy about dry feet and a clean surface to walk on.

More winter maintenance: Racor and Exhanger Zinc

More winter maintenance projects. Time to change my primary filter, which is a Racor 15S 2 micron on my Universal 5432 diesel. It had been just over one year and about 150 hours since the last change. Way premature, you may say, but an ounce of prevention... Also changed my heat exchanger zinc. I can never say enough about how much I believe in maintenance schedules. Virtually every engine and boat problem I hear of or experience could have been prevented with regular maintenance. Things need a little love, and they return it. In that regard, it is just like humanity.

I've learned that some folks are maintainers, and some aren't. Just that simple. I once had a 1968 VW bus that needed one quart of oil every fill up. She ran beautifully, and the rear seal was a major pain to replace and oil was cheap (never mind the environmental issues). Sold the van, told the guy 20 different times and different ways that she needed a quart every time you filled her with fuel, and not two months later, he had fried the engine. All he could do was hang his head and confess to having forgotten all about it. Now, there is nothing wrong with forgetting, but people I call maintainers just don't forget these sorts of things, or create systems so they don't forget them. It's not an intelligence issue, of course. It's just a personality type, like Meyers-Briggs or Emotional Intelligence. Anyway, back to Aeolus:

During the interval between fuel filter changes, however, I had used the filter to do a little fuel polishing as I had run my electric fuel pump and then drained the output right back into the tank. I figure at that time I ran about 150 gallons worth of fuel through, and the tank had about 50 gallons in it. I had agitated the tank pretty well with a fuel hose that I blew bubbles into as it moved around the bottom. So the shorter change interval was even more on my mind.

Pulling the old filter off required all of my fading 40 year old strength :-) and upon inspection the old filter was only lightly darkened from stuff. The bowl had a noticeable amount of crud in it too. Putting the new filter on is simple, but then I hit a snag. The primer pump wasn't working. You don't want a filter full of air as it will introduce more air into the system than the bleed off can handle. After taking everything back apart and checking the suction cups and the rest and finding nothing wrong, I finally decided to check the ball valve. Sure enough, there was a little wad of lint and dirt that had formed near the ball and kept it from seating properly. Without this ball seating, the Racor primer can't work. Once this was cleaned up, she primed just as she should and the job was done. Pictured on my finger is the little strand of junk causing the trouble with priming.

A quick tale that the PO (who evidently was not a maintainer) had had to swap this filter while crossing the Columbia River Bar, one of the nastiest pieces of water in North America. Bad enough to have your filter clog right then, but to not have the new one prime because of lint and crud around the check ball could really jeopardize your ability to quickly motor out of danger. Knowing these systems in detail makes all the difference between well found peace of mind, and misery waiting to happen. This filter photo shows the inside of my old filter, and this after 150 hours and using it to polish the fuel. This shows a clean tank, and one of the benefits of using biodiesel (after the first tank) and having a good clean fuel regiment.

The heat exchanger zinc on Aeolus lasts about 100 hours. I swapped mine out even though it had only been on for about 80 hours. It was about 20% gone. A good rule of thumb is to replace them when they are 50% gone. So, I was a little soon, but the damn things cost pennies and I was in the mood to do the belly work, so there you go. Now good through the summer pretty much.