Wonderful Jones overnight with a full boat

 Went up Friday night to begin a nice weekend get away. We were joined Saturday morning by our son and his five college friends. The weather cooperated with calm conditions and no rain. We motored to the north side of Jones, enjoying it very much. It's always wonderful to expose new people to the joys of sailboat travel and the islands reachable only by boat. 

We did the usual Jones things, but quite unusually we tied to the dock! This was to make the comings and goings of the kids easier, but I feel so domesticated and stuck when I'm tied to a dock. Really changes the whole experience for me in a negative way. Prefer free floating! We walked around here and there, doing the West side and seeing Orcas. 

A favorite thing was rowing the dinghy a fair amount around the cove. So many gorgeous little nooks and crannies. And the exercise of rowing is very satisfying. 

A good night's sleep, with most of the kids ashore. With 8 on the boat, we can't sleep that many. 

The journey back today saw us travel through some of the great clapotis and eddies that inhabit the north side of Jones on a strong ebb. Just magical. I could stay there quite a while admiring the chaos and energy of it all, but alas, we moved along. Catching the ebb hurried our way back south and soon enough we were back in our slip. 

A great trip on Aeolus, who performed flawlessly. She is ready for Desolation Sound!  The kids had a great time and maybe they will want more? 

Quick trip to test engine and clean her up

 Just a quick trip this weekend, with my primary motivation to take the boat out and make sure everything I've done is working to expectations. Sure enough. Only went about an hour but no issues at all. Checked Racor vacuum gauge when I got back to my slip and it hadn't budged off bottom. For some reason my cockpit temp gauge is not reading correctly, but the gauge on the instrument panel is fine. When I go back again I'll have to trace that wire to see where I put it! 

The boat was an exterior mess. Some big bird, likely a heron, pooped all over my stern cockpit area. Between that and the algae and atmospheric dust and other random bird gifts like shells, the boat needed the thorough cleaning I gave it. I also put on my summer sun shield, as I use it between the equinoxes. 

Sooner than later we will be headed up to Desolation Sound where our own boys and several groups of friends have plans to join us. Can't wait. The fuel tank is full of renewable diesel and I now trust the engine stalling issue has been found and eliminated. 

Fuel system diagnosis and solution-Air was the problem

 In the end I found it was air and not dirty fuel that was causing my occasional problems. How do I know? I temporarily installed a clear hose from the first valve to the primary filter and I was getting bubbles. Who knows how many other places I was getting air, but that was all I needed to know. For this reason, I went in and simplified my fuel filtration and upgraded some things. I had previously tore out the prior three way valves that I now know are not great. I removed the new three way valve shown before that was relatively cheap from Amazon and used one I got from McMaster Carr that is much better with flouroelastic seats and high resistance to vacuum and pressure. I replaced my old Racor 500 with a new model that uses ORB hose barbs instead of tapered hose barbs. ORB uses Orings and I upgraded the orings that came with the parts I ordered to Viton. Viton is even more resistant to fuels and solvents of various types. 

The final set up

The orings were hard to specify and here is the information for anyone else interested: 

A 3/4-16 (-08) male ORB (O-Ring Boss) fitting uses an AS568-908 O-ring. In the hydraulic industry, the standard for ORB O-rings follows a simple rule: the size is 900 + the dash size of the port. Since a 3/4-16 thread corresponds to a -08 dash size, the correct O-ring is a 908. 

Key Specifications for AS568-908

• Inner Diameter (I.D.): 0.644 inches (16.36 mm).
• Cross Section (Thickness): 0.087 inches (2.21 mm).
• Outer Diameter (O.D.): 0.818 inches (20.78 mm).
• Hardness: Typically 90 Durometer (Buna-N or Viton) is used to handle high-pressure hydraulic applications. 

The fiittings on the Racor are this size and type:

90-Degree Steel Adapter, 3/4-16 (-08) Male Adjustable ORB x 3/4-16 (-08) Female ORB, 5000psi × 4

This is an elbow and then you add a hose barb that is also 3/4-16 ORB of whatever size, in my case 3/8. 

I removed the second filter altogether, as it just added fittings and valves and complications. I have never seen the vacuum gauge on my primary Racor get up anywhere near a plugged filter, and so this simplification makes sense on Aeolus, given the work I've done to clean and repair my fuel tank and all I do to keep the fuel clean with BioBor and Startron. Besides using Renewable Diesel that is not hygroscopic! Love that stuff. 

All new fuel hoses. Had to change the fuel barbs on the Walbro to 3/8, which was easy. So now it is 3/8 hose everywhere except from the fuel tank to the three way valve. Why do I have a three way valve you ask? I don't need one there. But the fuel tank fitting is 1/4 and this lets me convert it to 3/8. Eventually I will remove and replace the fuel tank fittings to make them 3/8 as well. 

Here you can see the three way valve. Out of the shot is the fuel tank. 

I plan to leave the bleed valve cracked open just enough to allow a continuous flow of fuel and any air out of the secondary filter and fuel system back to the tank. That's another thing, I used to always leave that closed up tight. No need to do that. The Walbro is rated to 18,000 hours and can run continuously at full pump speed. I'll never get close to that in the lifetime of the boat, having only put 2,000 hours on the diesel in about 18 years. 

More fuel system progress and electrical efforts

 Another overnight on Aeolus and made progress on diagnosing and fixing my engine dying problem. Previously, I reported on my suspicions with a vacuum leak. On this trip, I brought along my clear hose and installed a stretch between the existing three way fuel valve and the Racor 500. Sure enough, when I turned the fuel pump on that draws suction on this side, I was getting air bubbles. I would get more air bubbles when I switched the valve off and on, simulating start up. 

So I installed the new ball valve style and connected the same clear hose and no bubbles. Hooray! 

New ball valve not  yet mounted. No leaks!

Going forward, I still have several projects to do. I will replace the ancient Racor 200 backup filter that is really nothing but trouble. The priming pump doesn't work anymore and is likely a source of vacuum leak, the ball valve nightmare I've written about before is a poor design, and since I already have a Racor 500 I can avoid having to store different types of filters on the boat. I already have the new Racor 500 with a heat shield on order. I also have an additional three way ball valve to replace the second of that style in this system. For all I know now it is also a source of vacuum leak, but I haven't tested it. Doesn't matter, I don't trust those and it's getting replaced. 

Also going forward I will routinely open the bleed valve to siphon off any accumulated air that SHOULD NOT be in the system anyway. 

While aboard I also installed my new PVC oil catch can to reduce the amount of vaporized oil I was feeding into my air intake. I found it oiled up my KN air filter too quickly and don't like the thought of whatever it was doing to my intake valves and combustion chamber. 

New oil catch can installed. You can see the direct route from the crankcase breather. Ater taking this photo I ran the output back into the KN Air filter that has a hose fitting mounted into it. 

Also finished up installing heat shrink on the newly formed terminal block crimps and then lightly coated each junction at the terminal block with No Ox ID Special A as that area sits in a bath of crap. 

Diagnosing engine death, upgrading wiring

 For several years, we have had intermittent engine death at some better and worse times. About annually. And it has defied easy answers, with the pressure gauge on the Racor 500 not showing an increase in vacuum, and no other obvious causes. This latest time caused me to need a tow about 100 meters back to my slip in FH. How embarrassing for this careful boat maintenance sailor. 

I posted my problem on the cruisers forum and have had some helpful replies. I went to the boat this President's Day weekend and learned useful things. 

Here you go: 

• I learned there is an internal filter screen in the Walbro 13-2 that is accessed by removing the bolt from the bottom and removing the lower housing. Straightforward. This screen on mine was clean, minus a few bits of something. Nothing close to being clogged. Be careful putting back together as the Oring does not stay put and is easily misaligned. 
• I ran the output from my Walbro lift pump back into the air vent hose that on Aeolus has a junction near this area. I ran the pump and watched as fuel ran through the Racor 500. For one thing, the fuel was clean, showing no signs whatsoever of any gunk even after gallons had gone through. 
• HOWEVER, and this is a big HOWEVER, I noticed that there were air bubbles coming out of the turbine. Light bubbles at all times, as the pump was pulling about 4inHg which is about 2psi. When I turned the fuel flow off at the three way valve I have installed, the pump would stop, and when I turned it back on the there were big and numerous bubbles from the turbine area. Didn't matter whether I turned the fuel flow off at the three way valve, or at the tank. When I turned it back on, bigger and more bubbles. 

SO, I think, my problem all along has been air in the system accumulating. I've purchased some clear tubing, and this is a great way to install temporarily to see if the bubbles are coming from the tank, from the three way valve, or out of the Racor 500, or all the above! 

This is the current style that is reported to be often faulty and leaking air. 

I strongly suspect the culprit is the brass three way valve as a comment on Cruisers Forum said he has had several of these leak air. If so, shame on them for building a fuel valve that leaks air! I've already purchased a different style three way valve that is a ball valve style said to be rated to 350psi! 

Another trick is that you can leave the manual fuel bleed valve open fully or partially and that will bleed air out of the system continuously. Best to fix any air leaks, but no harm in having the Walbro work continuously at full tilt as they are rated for 18,000 hours! 

While in there, I also went ahead and finally tackled the old RV style wire junctions that are so famously bad. Rather ashamed I had not already done this, but I'm not perfect! The hardest part is physically working in the tight space while bruising your ribs and such. I put padding down on the floorboard supports but it's still pressure on your chest. 

You can track which wire goes to which pretty well by their colors, but it's not exact. For some reason due to fading or whatever, they do not match perfectly. But the process is simple but laborious. You cut each wire and do all the butt connecting and ring terminal installation and attach them to the terminal block. I use Blue Sea connectors and a 30amp rated 8 position terminal block. While doing this you also replace the crappy inline glass fuse that is on the starter activation wire. I had my engine fail to start this last episode of engine death, which added insult to injury. It turned out to be a oil fuse in that crappy car style in line fuse holder. I replaced that with a proper waterproof ATC fuse holder and used a 30amp fuse. I need to get some more shink wrap to finish up a few spots, as you will see in the photo below. I used cable protectors to neaten things up and prevent oily exposure to the wires themselves. 

This photo shows the current state in need of some more shrink wrap and adjustments. There is another one of these on the Gulf 32 behind the electrical panel. That will be easier to access and will be the next one I tackle. 

Mostly done. Convenient support board for mounting terminal block. 

Good stuff

Rip these out! 

Stuart Island on blue sky January days

Escape to Stuart Island on this three day weekend and we were delighted to have blue skies every day. Saw humpback whales in San Juan Channel! Wow! Two adults and a young one. Haven't seen them there before, only further north. Then saw large groups of sea lions at Speiden, per usual. About twelve bald eagles on the south side of the island, in the usual spots. 

Two nights in Reid Harbor and hikes all around. What a time to be up on the mountains and out to the Lighthouse. Group of sea lions at the lighthouse too.

Sea Lions!

Upsetting thing is that the motor died right at the entrance to Friday Harbor. Despite all my considerable efforts to keep the fuel tank clean with bug killer and lubricant, using R99 fuel, I keep getting fuel cut off engine death. I polished the fuel last year and it was quite clean, so what gives? I even then had the starter stop working. Had to get towed by Boat US the few hundred yards back to our slip. Upsetting and embarrassing for this careful boat mechanic. 

Winter Jones is always wondrous

I remain baffled why people don't use their boats in the winter. Most often, the weather is benign and the temperatures mild, and you have the islands to yourself. We sure did on this trip, as usual, have them to ourselves. Leaving the slip in Friday Harbor on Saturday morning we were the only boat in San Juan Channel. There was a light southern wind pushing us north toward Jones. For fun and variety, we went through the Wasp Islands a bit and up the East side of Jones. We were alone in the north cove and on Jones. Just incredible. In summer, it is overrun with hordes of folks. We walked all around, circumnavigating the island and saw a remarkable number of seals. We tossed a frisbee. We watched birds. We admired the cactus that grows on Jones. CACTUS! Saturday night had some wind but as forecasted, it was from the SE and SW and were fine in the north cove. Boy those king tides are the real deal, right now. Never seen them higher at Jones. Overnight is the low low, and the speed of that change had to drain about 12 feet of water out of the Salish Sea. Amazing. We came back Sunday morning for an early ferry back to the mainland. Once again, the calendar says a brief weekend turn around, but it feels like we are gone for far longer. Clocks and calendars only tell one version of the truth!

Haul out at Jensens, big surprise!

 I let more time go before this haul out than any other I can recall. It had been three full years since I last hauled. In that time we did a big summer trip up to Desolation Sound and countless shorter trips around the San Juan and Gulf Islands. I fully expected to find a prop well covered in barnacles and a missing anode, with maybe even hard growth somewhere on the hull. 

This was the condition after 3 years

But what to my wondering eyes should appear out of the murky depths but a perfectly clean prop! Let me say that again, after THREE YEARS a PERFECTLY CLEAN PROP. 

No words can convey my delight at having found a prop treatment that does this. For the entire time I've had Aeolus I've tried various things, usually Lanocote and found problems with hard growth and algae growth before a year had passed. I would have to snorkel down on the boat to scrape off barnacles and mussels on the prop to not ruin the performance of the little beastie. 

So this is what I want to announce to all my sailor friends out there, I tried something new and it worked a dream. After cleaning the prop, I sprayed two coats of Petit Zince Prop Coat. Many people stop there, but it says right on the can that for longer protection apply Hydrocoat bottom paint. Hydrocoat is a non-metallic ablative bottom paint that I use in black. This combination kept my prop absolutely clear of any growth, despite being pretty well worn away after three years and a lot of use. Astonishing. 

I also found that the aluminum prop anode lasted those three years, and was still intact and about 30% present. Never get that from a zinc anode, and I haven't had any change in the performance of the corrosion protection visible on the prop. 

This haul out was initially going to include the PSS Shaft Seal, as they recommend replacement every 6 years and it has been about 10 on mine. But I inspected it closely and the darn thing looks pristine, like brand new. Absolutely zero sign of any rubber aging or flaking or fatigue. So I put the replacement off for another haul out in the future. 

Same treatment and ready to go for a few more years!

She's not too clean or made up pretty, but boy she's a beauty

So this one was just bottom paint, prop treatment and a few odds and ends. Was only out Friday to Monday morning. 

One thing I always do at haul out is put lanolin on the balls of the ball valve. I keep a tub of lanolin on the boat that will last me my lifetime, I think, and it comes in handy. By putting lanolin on the valves, it keeps growth from happening on them and keeps them easy to exercise. I routinely exercise all the ball valves on Aeolus as a regular thing to do, but when I treated them this time, I could see with a headlamp that they still had lanolin visible on them and no growth. 

A word on bottom paint. I've been using West Marine PCA Gold for many, many years. This will be my last time. The can I bought was nowhere near the product it used to be. It was so thin and light compared to the copper content the prior versions had, and they no longer use Igoral or whatever it was because it's been banned as nasty stuff. I'll do some research and use a different product next time. 

My time at Jensens is always easy and delightful. Being on the island is always so fulfilling. The weather cooperated and I had an awesome few days with a friend and even Amy came up for the weekend. 

Aeolus is good to go for our big 2026 trip to Desolation Sound environs. Can't wait! 

P.S. I had two different guys walk up to me and offer to buy Aeolus while she was hauled out. She was flattered. Another person left a note on her asking if I would sell her. Sorry folks, she's mine for a good while longer. I tell people that if I won the lottery and had millions more, I'd keep her and just fix her up some more. There's not a boat in the marina that would do better what we do with her. 

Gratuitous Cattle Point shot looking toward Olympics. One of my deep home places. 

New Windlass batteries for Lofrans Tigres

 I checked my windlass batteries the other day and saw they were new in 2009! Though they still seemed to be holding a charge, I knew it was time to replace them. 16 year old wet acid batteries are a testament to the quality of the Interstate batteries from Costco. I use two of them to power our Lofrans Tigres windlass that pulls a lot of power, and I always do this with the engine running, alternator powering, and the windlass batteries linked with the house batteries, also two deep cycle. So in effect, there are four batteries putting power to the windlass. We never lack power for pulling up our rode! 

High Summer seas and trails

After an awesome family backpacking trip at Glacier Peak wilderness, we had a few days to get to the boat and head out for some water time. It was a relief to be back near the sea, with moisture and cooler temps, after the intense solar radiation and blue skies of the mountains. It was just Amy and I aboard, which makes it easy and lovely. We went to Jones first, enjoying a night in the north cove and a bit of walking on our tired legs. The next day we went to Prevost Harbor, which always feels more like Canada than the San Juan's because of how it orients. We wanted that view and the shorter walk to the lighthouse, as we were still recovering from our hike. Glorious weather and the lighthouse was open for the usual summer tourist season. What's remarkable is that even in summer it's really not that busy in these places. I mean, they are far busier than in winter, when we have them to ourselves, but considering how many boats are in Puget Sound, it's not a high concentration of them. And once you get out and walk, you are alone enough to not mind the few you pass. Heard a story of a big sailboat, 50+ feet, that ran aground near John's island last week because they were too close to shore. We all make mistakes, but with modern chartplotters and GPS, there is really no excuse for running aground in that area.

View from our favorite high spot near the lighthouse

Another day at the prettiest spot in the San Juan Islands

Prevost view out

To Jones with visiting family

 Such a pleasure to have taken so many friends and family to Jones over the years. It was packed this weekend with boaters and campers, and reminded why we enjoy it in winter so much. But we were able to anchor in the North Cove in about 50 feet of water. 

Conditions were benign this weekend, with mild temperatures and light winds. We had family visiting with their young son, which brought back all sorts of memories of raising our own sons in the islands. We dinghied around, hiked around, played around. Going feral in the islands is one of the greatest pleasures in life for all, but especially for little kids. They don't get that freedom at most homes, or in cities. 

We all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and noted the benefits of being in that semi-wild place while the world seems to crumble around us. I thought often of Wendell Berry, Edward Abbey and Thoreau. Thank you Aeolus. 

Tumbo Gumbo-Memorial Day Funbo

What joy! Both boys and a best friend aboard Aeolus for the three day weekend. To Tumbo we go. 20nm direct from Friday Harbor but a necessary stop at Bedwell Harbor customs adds a few. More importantly, that stop means you must traverse a good long way east to round East Point on Saturna and you had better have the current with you when you do that. We had bluebird skies on Saturday, warm and lovely. Caught the flood. 

Cabbage Island is sadly closed to day use, at least above the high tide line. This is evidently for preservation of cultural resources but I know of no other island paid for with public funds that is closed to public use for preservation of cultural resources. Surely all the others have that same claim. Surely Russel, and Portland and Jones and so on and so forth. While part of the Gulf Islands National Park mandate is obviously respecting and preserving First Nations cultural resources, this should be done by closing specific smaller places on Cabbage and not a blanket closure. Truly a shame. The signage says it is until further notice. Perhaps they are waiting for public outcry. It is outrageous to sea kayakers, and for other boaters. The solution is education and enforcement, not closure of the whole island. 

View into Reef Harbor

Best view in all the lower Salish Sea

The cycle of life-a harbor seal 

Found fun is all around on the south beach

Anyway, we enjoyed Tumbo as always. So special. Saw two river otters, loads of bald eagles, seals, norther flickers, swallows, and deer. It's the most fecund place we know of anywhere in the Salish Sea. 

The trip back was incredibly fast. It was a very strong ebb on the new moon day. Caught that ebb all the way back, with only the usual slowing and difficult as you transition to President's channel from the rush of water trying to go out Boundary Pass. Did 9.6 knots, sustained, in President's channel. Total travel time back to Friday Harbor was only 3.5 hours. 

Lovely Jones escape with puppers

 What a gorgeous weekend to be on Aeolus and escape to Jones. Sunny and calm, verdant and spring. We've acquired a new creature in our lives, a puppy we call Calvi, and he's a real charmer. This was his first trip to Aeolus and he seems to fit right into the boat life. Not alarmed at anything, mellow, eager to have fun. He's not quite potty trained but caught on quick to using the cockpit for his business when not ashore. 

We walk slowly with him as he's a hound and smells everything pretty intensively. Going slowly is just fine, as consciousness moves at the speed of a slow walk. He brings your attention to every leaf and bug. 

I recently changed the thermostat on the engine as it kept running cool down to about 165 or 170 even though it was an 180 thermostat. I brought it home and tested it in hot water and it seemed to work OK, but I didn't trust it. The new one functions properly and brings the motor slowly up to 180 and sits there. 

Another interesting thing is that I changed the engine oil some 11 engine hours ago. Normally, the engine oil turns dark black within an hour or two of operation. But I've gone to only using renewable diesel, which I have to acquire in Portland and drive up in 5 gallon containers to Aeolus. It's clear, and burns cleanly. Well, my oil is still looking clean and amber 11 hours after replacing it. Unheard of. I can only think that is due to the renewable diesel, as nothing else has changed. 

The Space/Time continuum

 On this three day weekend we went up to Aeolus and once again experienced the disconnect between time, space and our perceptions of time and space. We went to Jones for the overnight as we didn't get to the boat until Saturday night. Despite the benign weather and three day weekend, the hundreds of fine boats at Friday Harbor remained in their slip and we were the only boat at Jones or out and about. Astonishing. Boats with names like Intrepid, Adventurous, Why Knot, and who goes out? Aeolus! 

We startled quite a few animals on our circumnavigation of the island, as clearly they do not expect two legged creatures this time of year. We came across a very large river otter on the west side rocky bluffs. 

The forecast was for E winds only 5-10, but there was a steady 10-15 blowing NE down President's channel that made our decision to go to the North Cove seem a bit silly. It was a bumpy night, and the forecasted calm winds overnight did not happen either. For anyone not familiar, the north side of Jones is open to a lot of fetch to the N and NE. You can always hop around to the south cove in such conditions. 

The trip back to our slip was quick with the ebb helping us along down San Juan Channel. We did 6.5 to 7 knots all the way for a quicker than normal return. 

There is absolutely no way to understand how a mere 36 hours in the islands on Aeolus can be part of the same space/time continuum as the one in town back home. It defies any comprehension how it can be so rich, complete, and lengthy. Guess we will just have to keep doing this! 

West side toward San Juan

Only green clothes I own and all on at the same time! 

Perfect Madrone skin

North to Waldron and Orcas

A trip amongst boat maintenance weekend

 I went out alone this weekend and managed to fit in a trip to Stuart Island amongst an enormous amount of boat cleaning and maintenance. Winter is always a magical time to travel in the Salish Sea, and while I am a diurnal fellow and will always prefer summer, the winter has charms that are unique to the season. Chief among these may be the fact that no one else goes out! 

I got to the islands on Friday and left for Stuart on Saturday morning. It was a calm and lovely morning, with no wind and mild conditions. Motoring up to Spieden Channel and through it to Reid Harbor is always a treat. There were no sea lions this time, but the usual bald eagles and non-native goats on Spieden. If I was rich, I would buy that island just to sterilize all the non-native ungulates so the poor flowers and trees have a chance to grow and regenerate. The current owner does not seem to have any ecological interests. There are only old trees growing on Spieden now, especially on the sunny south side. It won't be long before these die and nothing else can grow in their stead. 

Anyway, arrived at Reid and was the only boat in the harbor. I dropped the hook and immediately began some boat cleaning. The top sides were in bad need of scrubbing. This being done, I went to land and cleaned the growth off the dinghy. Yikes, it had mature forests of mussels and barnacles! I walked the eastern side of the State Park isthmus to stretch my legs, and to my delight came across a male Hooded Merganser in Prevost Harbor. So magnificent in his breeding plumage. Then I heard his mating call. Of all the life on Earth, the Hooded Merganser is among the most beautiful things. 

It was a quiet night with only moderate winds in Reid. The Cubic Mini gets so hot and toasty it's a game changer. I finished reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, and that's a dark tale of Americana. 

On Sunday morning I did a quick four mile walk on Stuart and then departed for Friday Harbor to resume my boat maintenance in earnest. To my surprise when I exited Reid, the Around the County race was headed noth out of the Roche area and right in front of me. Had to be more than 100 boats. They must have changed the course this year from last to avoid the forecasted 30+ knot winds later on Sunday in Haro Strait. That's such a cool race. I don't race or know any racers, but it would be fun to do it sometime. 

The 2 hours back to the slip went happily by, and I spent the rest of Sunday tackling a very long list of projects. So purposeful and satisfying. Because we went to Europe this summer instead of Desolation Sound, the boat did not get the normal use and maintenance that trip brings about. 

What a 3 day voyage!

 We had dear friends join us on Aeolus for the past 3 days and they were about the most perfect days one can have. We picked them up at SeaTac and went straight to Anacortes, making the ferry after parking and walking on by the skin of our teeth. We so often make ferries by the skin or our teeth that I think our teeth must have lots of extra skin! 

Friday night was quiet and we were away first thing Saturday. These friends are global travelers, Peace Corps veterans, and just delightful humans. He's a physician, and she works on climate change as a big brain for the State of California. On Saturday we went to Prevost to set up the rest of our trip. 

I'll pause here and say that we truly enjoy having guests aboard Aeolus as it is always wonderful seeing things through their eyes. We feel blessed to be able to expose people to the joys and adventures of sailboat travel and the wondrous beauty of the Salish Sea. 

So the voyage to Prevost was a highlight. Takes 3 hours from Friday Harbor in benign conditions, which we had. Once there we dropped anchor not by the State Park as most do, but by the public dock and Ericsen farm, and went to shore and hiked out to the Lighhouse. The lightouse was open for tours and we even got a tour of the big keepers house. A rare treat. From there we hiked up to a high point we love, and all together had about a 5 mile day with lots of elevation change. We are not young anymore, but tough as nails and know something about grit. 

Back at the public dock, the three of them wanted to swim back to Aeolus which was a good 120 meters out to sea. I rowed the dinghy, being less a fan of neck seizing water. Well done by them! 

A night of cards, and gorgeous light and conversation. These friends have been in our lives since college, more or less. There is so much to say, and so much that doesn't need said. Beyond this, they are both so bright and yet don't take themselves or life too seriously. It's a gift to be lighthearted in this life. Especially, if I may say, for men. We laughed, and laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Just silliness. All of us have advanced degrees but instead of being lodged in a place of stodgy intellectualism we can act like 13 year old misfits one moment and have deep conversations about global affairs the next. No pretense. No need to impress. 

On Sunday we cleared customs at Bedwell Harbor and were off to Portland Island and Princess Bay. This time our anchor caught on the first try, as opposed to previous trips that saw us grab a barrel of kelp. It's been hot and dry for days here and the whole trip was like this. We swam first, paddle boarded, and enjoyed the ease of leisure on the life aquatic. After some food we crossed the island to Arbutus Point and came back on the East side. Portland is so botanically and culturally interesting. Thank you BC Parks and Gulf Islands National Park system for all you provide to mariners in British Columbia. 

We dropped them off in Sidney this morning as they continued their journey on Vancouver Island to see other friends, and we did the 3 hour trip across Haro Strait and back through Spieden Channel to Friday Harbor. It got a bit choppy in the Straits, with maybe 15 knots of wind kicking up some seas as it went against some light current. Aeolus smiles. 

A 3 day tour of the near waters and what a joyous time. I changed the thermostat in Aeolus a while back to my 195 model to run her hotter and burn off anything I could burn off. But running her at 195-200 makes me nervous that any problem will spike the temperatures to unsafe levels. So I swapped back to the 180 thermostat in Princess Bay, using a gasket I made myself from good material I had purchased. Did the trick and back to steady 180. 

I will never cease being grateful for Aeolus. What a day today, 4 hour boat journey through some of the most scenic places in the lower Salish Sea, and then a 3 hour drive home. Yes, we will sleep well tonight.