Engine Makeover

When finishing my last trip, I had heard a high pitched whine in my Universal M-25 diesel engine.   After I had rested and cleaned up the boat, I turned my attention to my engine and was shocked to find that the front part of the engine had turned black.  I feared I had roasted my engine and that I was in for some serious repairs.  

YIKES! What have I done now?

Now, I am fairly competent with normal gasoline engines and at one time I had torn our trusty VW engine apart all the way to splitting the case.   I somehow got it all back together and it ran.

With diesel engines, I somehow had lost my confidence and this brings in my new best friend, Hobie.   I called another person who had worked on my boat and was very reasonable and asked him for a reliable diesel mechanic.   He gave me Hobie's name and number and within a few days Hobie was at my boat.

As we talked, Hobie said something that I couldn't believe.  He told me that I had helped students of mine for my whole career and that he was going to help me out and that it wouldn't cost me a lot of money.  Hobie explained that my engine didn't show signs of major damage and that the black was just from the belt that was seriously worn.  The high pitched whine was from a small temperature sensor that could easily be replaced.   He also has had off shore experience and when he found that I wanted to go off shore, he told me he would make me a list of all of the things I should do, not only to the engine, but to my electrical and some other systems in my boat.   He told me how to clean the engine (a product called 4U and water) and he wanted me to not only replace the worn belt but to replace all of the hoses on the engine.  

Within a couple of days, he sent me a detailed list of all I should be thinking about

Looking much better now.

doing before heading out and the names of places and people that would inspect/clean some vital equipment (injectors & heat exchanger) on my engine.   He also told me how to avoid the expensive marine supply prices and go directly to an automotive parts house for some of what I need.  He stressed me doing the work and that if I get into trouble, he would help me whenever I needed it.

What a total blessing it was to find Hobie and even though he has not asked for one cent, I will pay him and thank him for allowing me to have the confidence to learn my engine by doing.   THANK YOU HOBIE!                                       

Whew!

                                              

SOLO 2- Visiting four islands

May 4, 2014

This screen shot shows my actual track around and by the four islands.

Goal for Solo 2- Sail either around or close by the four islands, Catalina, Santa Barbara, San Nicholas & San Clemente Islands.  (Approximately 200 nm)

Well, finally success in finishing what I had started on Solo 1.    Last month when I tried to do this same trip the first time, I failed to make it around even one of the four islands.   I headed back to Long Beach (See Solo 1) to regroup and plan my next attempt.   One thing that Solo 1 had taught me was that even though I hadn't used even one gallon of fuel, I had not gotten very far.   LESSON #1   If I have a good diesel engine and plenty of fuel, I shouldn't waste time bobbing around out in the ocean with no wind.   This time (for the most part) when the wind died, I cranked up the iron jib and headed to my next way point at 4-5 knots speed.   I really only motored about 1/4th-1/5th of the time and enjoyed the speed at which the islands went by.   For example, it took me 24 hours to get just South of Santa Barbara Island on Solo 1 and in only about 22 hours this time I had already passed San Nicholas Island and was on my way to San Clemente Island.

NOAA Wind Report- GRIB files

I had already proven that I could get enough sleep on Solo 1, but I had also learned a LESSON #2- Be an opportunist when it comes to sleep.   On the first trip, I was too excited to sleep the first day and wasted that time without sleep.   This trip, I did catch and hour or two during the day time whenever I could.   It all added together to make my trip much more pleasant.

On Solo 1, I had my solar shower along and did not use it once.   LESSON #3- A clean Captain and crew feels better and can appreciate the beauty of the trip a lot more.  I showered every afternoon and it felt great.

On this trip I was tested in different ways.   I reached destinations (Santa Barbara Island and San Nicholas Island) in the dark.   This was not just an endurance race, I really wanted to see each island and to get video or still pictures of each island.  As you can see (if you watch the video) I had to show you my pictures of my chart plotter/GPS showing the display of me either rounding or sailing by the islands in the dark.   On San Nicholas Island, I really slowed up and   w  a  i  t e  d  for the sun to come up.  Why was I in such a hurry?    I was also tested on the first and second day by sailing in higher winds than I had ever sailed in.   My boat had previously reached 7.7 knots as it's greatest speed with me sailing it.   On this trip, Spirit Of Adventure set a new record of 8.4 knots of speed.   Amazingly scary speed.   Tor (MoniTor wind vane steering) was sailing as the boat speed increased, but when I hit that speed, I took over the tiller and slowed us down a bit.   Yes, I am seldom afraid, but this second night the combination of darkness and high speed frightened me.   Next time I will not be as frightened.   It happened again just as I was nearing the finish line in Long Beach.  High wind and I too much sail up.   I had thought this through and so I told myself, "What a better time to practice than today & now?"   I headed up into the wind and the boat immediately went into irons (with the bow into the wind).   The whole boat went from over 7 knots to ZERO!   I was impressed and actually had my tiller hard over and could let go of everything with the boat "parked".  The process is actually called being "hove to".    From this "parked" position, I could furl the head sail quite easily.   When I pointed the bow off the wind, the boat picked up to a comfortable, easily controlled 4.5 knots.   Easy!

Don't get me wrong.  I did love this trip and was elated at accomplishing my goal.  At one point, I was 65 nm out in the ocean and loved it.  My recent battery addition and re-wire served me well and my system supported all of my night time electronic needs. You will have to watch the video to see the brunette, red head and finally the blond that visited me and stayed with me for awhile.   Oh, Mary (my wife) approved.

My little boat in a big ocean.

My longest runs were the ones I enjoyed the most.   To watch the boat sail along at 5+ knots with only Tor steering was amazing.   I cannot say enough about how great Tor and my Tiller Master do their job.   The peace I feel when doing longer runs is extreme.   I can clean, organize, repair, sleep, cook, read or just relax and watch the ocean.   I am really loving these trips and when I get home, I can appreciate my wife and all that I have been blessed with at home.  My wife really is a saint for letting me do these trips.

Another special thanks to my great sailing buddy, Fred of "Later Gator" fame.   He stayed in communication with me as much as possible and as I was returning, he sailed his boat almost 1/2 way to Catalina to meet me.   I can't thank him enough for being my shore support on these trips.

I know that my daughter & her partner will be joining me for a week in Catalina in early June and  I am already planning another trip in June.   Maybe as far North as Morro Bay.   Mary may drive up and then we will play some wonderful golf while enjoying the boat on mooring in this beautiful area.   This is a maybe right now.

I am just now planning and looking for at least one crew member (Diana, Fred, Mike or ????) for the 2014 Baja Ha Ha (http://www.baja-haha.com/) that sails from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas (Mexico) at the end of October.   It will be a two week trip down there and then I may sail back solo to Long Beach or ?.   Is anyone up for an adventure....?   I want to register for this and they will not register me until I have a crew.   Let me know if this appeals to you.   You can read about this online.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

Please take a look at the 36 minute video of Solo 2 on YouTube.   Just click here here.
                                              http://youtu.be/SU9jtn65XhA