Tumbo Island adventures

We had been looking forward to this trip to Tumbo Island ever since we were last there in June of 2011. The boys and I had gone, without Amy, during a week we were unable to do a planned backpacking trip due to the late season snows. It turned out to be a magical trip and we discovered the really special attributes of Tumbo Island. The boys had been talking it up to Amy ever since, and we had penciled in this Memorial Day trip to Tumbo several months ago.

View toward Poet's Cove from anchorage

Getting to Friday Harbor on Saturday afternoon, as the ferry schedule in spring is still dreadful for getting to the islands, we were uncertain whether we would make it all the way to clearing customs at Bedwell Harbor that night. I had checked and knew the station was open until 8pm, and we also knew it was a good 3 hour trip from Friday Harbor. We got underway at about 4:30pm and began our motor north. We figured we would head to Prevost Harbor on Stuart and make the call once there on whether we had time to make it to Bedwell. We were of two minds, with clear advantages both ways, but decided to forge ahead and cross the border so it felt more adventurous.

The Joy of Maintenance-Really!

Went up to Friday Harbor by myself to invest some time into maintenance projects aboard Aeolus. It seems no matter how often you perform the necessary tasks, or how diligently you track your maintenance needs, that there comes a time when they cluster up and require a burst of effort. This was one of those times.

Fortunately, I love all things maintenance on our boat, and as anyone who has ever read this blog will know, I find particular satisfaction in having a well-oiled machine that then allows me to safely adventure far and wide. Can't have one without the other.

View inside heat exchanger. All clear.

On this weekend I tackled a potpourri of items. Loving this machine so she will love us back:

• Adjusted the valves. Last adjusted three years ago and I forget how many hours. No valve was tight. Normal settings from .007 to .009. A few were loose to .011. Most needed no adjustment. Doing the valves is so easy aboard a Gulf 32 because access to the diesel is from the top and you have full access to all parts of the motor. 
• Changed the transmission fluid. Last changed about three years back. Slightly dark and smelly. Sucked out old. Filled over full with new. Spun prop shaft a while to stir things up, and then sucked out the new and refilled with fresh fluid. I like taking this extra step as I figure I'm already there and the extra bit of grime I get out by the flush might make her happy for a while longer.