Transmission fix!

We didn’t have to replace the transmission after all. The problem turned out to be the oil cooler. The oil cooler is basically a heat exchanger that has raw sea water flowing through tubes, sealed off from, but surrounded by pressurized transmission fluid. What happened was the tubes sprang a leak and the pressure being greater on the oil side caused the transmission oil to vacate through the exhaust, via the cooling tubes. When the oil became low enough the transmission began to slip. In Santa Barbara I purchased a new oil cooler for $145.00, drained and flushed the transmission and filled it up with MD 111 fluid. I also drained the v-drive and replaced the 30W oil in it. As a result the drive train sounds/works great, so far.


We left Santa Barbara yesterday morning at ten, headed for Ventura Harbor. We decided to take a short cruise to make sure the transmission was going to work well. Our attempts to contact anyone at the marina were unsuccessful, so we went to the fuel dock to top off our tank and inquire as to dock/slip availability. Unfortunately, we discovered that they had a slip but the cost was $66.00 per night. It was out of the question to pay this exhorbatent amount for a slip in a stinky/ filthy marina! However, we were informed that six miles south there were slips available at Chanel Islands Marina. By the time we exited Ventura Harbor we had only two hours till dark. No problem though, I just kicked it up a bit to seven knots and we arrived in plenty of time to secure a slip. The Marina is beautiful here, and very clean. It has individual boat slips, much better than Santa Barbara. Although I must say, the blond receptionist is pretty and nice enough, but a bit lacking in the “giving directions department”. The docks are alphabetically marked well enough, but the numbers are not readable from the side of approach. If you go there make her spell it out. Make sure she counts dock fingers!

I spoke with our friend Gary and explained that our problem with the engine is a bad injector. We have been getting diesel in the oil when we shut the engine down. Not a lot, but enough to warrant very frequent oil changes. It seems that the main clue is that when the engine is started cold the exhaust is white. This I am told is due to raw fuel in at least one cylinder. Today I will replace the injectors with the new ones the previous owner was so kind to leave aboard.

Okay, confession time. When following our Canadian friends’ boat, I was unable to pick them up on radar, but I did have a shadow behind us. I knew this to be a shadow, because it was a clear day and there was obviously no boat astern. I later discovered that the boat astern was our friends' boat. How was this possible? Well it seems that when radars are installed they must be installed with the wires entering from the stern side. When I fabricated the solar/radar frame, I ran the wires through the pipe from the forward compartment to the stern. This made them exit the frame on the bow side and I hooked them up on that side, looked great! Unfortunately, this hooking up the wires on the bow side caused the radar to read backwards. Ops! Maybe if I have time after changing the injectors, I will turn the radar around. That’s all folks!

Trials and Tribulations

We left San Luis Obispo Bay on the morning of 11/17/10 at 7AM, headed for Santa Barbara City Marina. The visibility was ¼ mile due to morning fog which burned off by ten. The swells were almost nonexistent with no wind. It was again impossible to sail, so we were forced to motor around Point Arguello and Point Conception. We timed our trip to round the points at night due to the winds having a tendency to lie down at that time. We had been warned of the hazards of this area by many sailors. Fortunately the weather was beautiful and the seas calm. On the other hand nothing is perfect.


Upon approaching Pt Arguello at dusk our transmission began to slip to a point of increasing the engine RPM’s three hundred revolutions every couple of minutes. We then discovered the transmission had lost all of its oil. Upon filling it with engine oil for a temporary fix, and adding more every hour or so to keep it going, we finally made it around Pt Conception. My question is: (why does shit always have to happen at night?). Anyway we made to the harbor after a lesson from our Canadian friends on anchoring etiquette.

After a nights rest I again checked the oil in the transmission and to my chagrin it was discovered that, not only was the oil evacuating the transmission, but now it was a milky white. SHIT! The problem has gone from an annoyance to a major problem. It is not just a minor oil seal replacement problem, but now a major replacement problem.

We found a new transmission for fifteen hundred including shipping from New Jersey. Of course the final cost will be closer to $2000.00 when installed. I just discovered the transmission heat exchanger will have to be replaced also. The good side is “better here than in Mexico”. The big problem now is getting traveler checks in our account, so we can then pay for it with Pay Pal. No one seems to accept American Express checks and our bank is in Oregon. Oh well all will work out. I just hope the shipping doesn’t take too long, as this harbor is certainly NOT cheap!

My daughter came up to sail the rest of the way to San Diego with us. As soon as we complete our repairs we will head for Catalina. In the meantime Judy and Tammy will explore Santa Barbara.

Our Sailing Friends

Our Oregon friends Steve & Lulu (Siempre Sabado) and our Canadian friends Steve & Lodie (Wendelin) leaving Newport Oregon.
Siempre Sabado @ 

theyoders@yodersafloat.com

www.yodersafloat.blogspot.com

Judy!

Judy at the helm of Wind Raven & Her first loaf of bread at sea.

Tammy's Paintings

Here are a few more of her paintings. She has more, but her latest are the best. She has a natural born talent that she allowed to lie dormant for many years, but is now resurrecting it. Her work is improving rapidly now that she has the time to pursue it. Of course I am a bit prejudiced!

Tammy's art.

This is my daughter's latest painting. She also does marine life!

Watermaker

Steve and I worked on the water maker yesterday and found two major problems, solving one so far. Every time we tried to start it up the main fuse would blow. At first we thought the clutch was seized, causing the problem. After several fuses and closer inspection, we discovered the pump to be the culprit, not the clutch. The pump and the drive motor were seized. I had a spare wash down pump aboard that we installed. This solved the main fuse blowout problem. When we were searching for the fuse problem It was discovered that the switch module that diverts the water from the tank overboard was clogged with white stuff. Whether it was salt, corrosion, or lime, I have no idea. I cleaned it out and am soaking it in penetrating oil, in an attempt to free up the switch over valve. We believe this to be the reason for the waters failure to flow through the system, as it is activated electrically and must be free. We will try again today.

I thought I had my oil problem solved, but yesterday when I checked the oil it was overfull.Shit! First I was making oil with diesel, then using oil (leaking out), now gaining again. It seems that it never ends. The oil level was fine when we arrived here and was fine the next day. On the second day I failed to shut off the fuel line from the filter to the engine. The filter is above the engine so I think gravity came into play and fuel must have flowed down to the sump. The problem with this theory is that the engine oil does not smell like it has diesel in it. The engine only holds 4.25 qts of oil so the oil level on the dip stick changes dramatically with very little addition of any liquid. I wonder if the oil could take three days to drain back down completely? Nah! But then I did add oil on the trip down. A dilemma.

Stuck again

At least this time we are stuck in a modern well equipped marina here in Monterrey. It is a treat to have clean docks, hot showers, and a town with real stores. Upon approaching the marina there is a very narrow area that appears almost too tight to navigate through. When we reached this point, to our consternation, there were two little dinks sailing around circles, bouncing off of the pilings, precariously close to capsizing in the middle of this very narrow spot. One even hung the top of its mast under the pier. I thought for sure they would capsize, but miraculously they escaped the piers clutches. We proceeded through as soon as they cleared the area. Actually it was quite entertaining. It is nice to not be the brunt of the laughter for once. I'm sure our time will come again soon though. With this in mind, we somewhat stifled our laugh.

We were going to leave yesterday, but were once again thwarted by the weather. Next Monday looks good at present. Hopefully it will stay that way and we can get on with it. If so, our next stop will be Ventura and then Catalina. My daughter will join us in Ventura for the final legs to San Diego, as she wants to spend some time with us in Catalina.

Steve came over yesterday and checked out our electrical for us. He fixed several possible causes of our electrical maladies. We are keeping our fingers crossed. I'm sure it will be okay, as Steve is a shipwright and has plenty of expertise in such matters. He will be returning today to help fix the water maker. When working properly it is supposed to put out 20 gal an hour. This will be advantageous to other cruisers as well, as we hear water is sometimes hard to come by in the Sea of Cortez. Yes, we share!

Yesterday I replaced the control line on the jib and both sheets. Judy will whip the ends today. Shure am glad we bought a lot of extra double braid poly on e-bay to take with. I had to purchase the 3/8" control line from West Marine at 96 cents a foot. This was the third time I have replaced it. The first was due to wear.The second was due to operator error (mine). The third was due to changing the rout/#coils and moving the clutch back to a more convenient place in the cockpit. This time I made it extra long. I hope this was the last time as it's getting rather expensive.

Judy & Lodie went exploring yesterday. She said she had a great time and really likes Lodie. I'm glad she has some female company, ladies seem to need female companionship, or they get cranky! Men don't need any such trivialities, we're cranky all the time/on demand?

Monterey Bay

We left Charleston OR. At dark thirty in tandem with Erick on his steel hulled Blue Note. The plan was to head south together as far as possible in the current weather window. As we entered the channel Erick was waiting off our port bow. When we came abreast he began to fall behind to follow us out. Before he had room to complete this maneuver, a very large fishing vessel appeared out of the fog astern. It proceeded to pass on the starboard side in the narrow channel. It was touch and go for a bit, but the captain obviously knew what he was about. We fell in behind and followed him out across the bar. Upon crossing the fog became thicker and we lost sight of Blue Notes masthead tri-color. Which was the only light on the at that time. We attempted to contact Erick on the VHS to no avail. We then slowed down to wait but he never appeared, nor did he respond to our calls.


We did make contact eventually, discovering that as soon as he crossed the bar, he turned south. We on the other hand continued west for ten miles before heading south, as this would give us the safety margin we desired to clear obstructions along the coast prior to going around Cape Blanco. Erick sailed at around three miles from the coast. When we finally made contact, we changed course to intersect and continue in our attempt to sail in tandem. This however, did not work. We lost contact with the cells, and never could make contact on the VHS. Erick did make contact again and informed us that he was going into Humboldt Bay to rest and for us to go on without him. We wished each other well, and sailed on to Bodega Bay.

The weather was decent but very cold. The seas were kind to us, running eight to nine feet at around twelve seconds. The winds were too mild to hoist sail, or coming from astern just hard enough to increase the chill factor enough to make it extremely uncomfortable in the cockpit. Judy got her first sight of Dolphins in the wild. She was very excited and quite exuberant in her display gratification. She retired to her bunk that evening quite content with her decision to go to sea. Around one in the morning I smelled exhaust fumes in the cockpit. Upon investigation it was discovered that the heat riser had developed a hole the size of a dime. I cracked the hatch, opened the companionway and the lazerett lid to vent the carbon monoxide out. I then placed a carbon monoxide detector between Judy and Ken on the salon table. Checking to making sure they were okay. I awoke Judy on the second morning out to share a beautiful sunrise on an exceptionally flat sea. This was also a first time experience for her. We sat together in the cockpit for several hours enjoying this beautiful morning before she retired back to her bunk.

Upon approaching the coast at Bodega Bay, we discovered a gauntlet of crab traps blocking the approach. There were boats everywhere. We found the entrance to be very narrow and congested with power boats trying to exhibit their capability of excessive speed. Upon reaching the much needed fuel dock, it was discovered that we had timed our arrival to coincide with the opening day of crab season. Our boat holds 100 gallons of fuel and we took 87 gallons. Whew, that is too close. The opposing currents must have been much stronger than anticipated.

The following morning we walked to the top of the hill on the opposite side of the bay and purchased some “Quick Seal,” somewhat like JB Weld. I then cleaned off the offending riser elbow, hammered out two can lids to fit snugly over it. Setting them aside, I mixed up the Quick Seal and covered the offending area with it. Prior to its hardening I placed the newly shaped can lids over the elbow and secured them with hose clamps. The whole area was then wrapped with non-flammable cloth. Problem solved……………….. almost. It seems that when one solves a problem with what is available at the time, it is inevitable that Murphy’s law will sneak in. Oh, the repair held admirably, but oh the stink! It smelled like rotten piss, yuck-a-doooo.

We said adeau to Bodega Bay heading out. That night Judy decided to fix some baked chicken breasts for dinner. When they were about half done she discovered , to her chagrin, that we had failed to fill the propane tanks in Bodega Bay, Ops! I’m sure the crabs enjoyed the half cooked treats, while we ate cold sandwiches.

We are continuing to experience electrical problems, even though we purchased all new batteries. The person that rewired the boat got it wrong. We are going to hire a real electrician to find out what the hell is wrong. It is extremely frustrating to put out over ten thousand dollars for a job poorly done. Live and learn I suppose.

We decided to stop at Santa Cruz to fill the propane tanks. As we approached the entrance I radioed the marina for an entrance report. They gave us the go ahead, and we proceeded to approach the jetty. The swells were running about six feet as we approached and the wind was at six knots. At about 1000 yards, the wind increased to eleven knots and the waves began hitting the full length of the jetty at the same time. Not a good sign, but still do-able. At around 500 yards the wind jumped up to 19 knots. This was “NOT”acceptable! I aborted.

We then crossed the bay and experienced a very rough ride into Moss Landing. Upon searching for a slip we experienced another malady when the transmission linkage slipped. This caused the failure of the ability to engage reverse. Which in turn, almost caused us to kiss another boat. Whew! Close call. Once docked we had an excellent dinner at the local authentic Mexican restaurant. Then it was early to bed.

The following day I went to get propane. After inquiring with a local as to the whereabouts of propane, I loaded up the empty tanks on our trusty folding dolly and headed out. After dragging them around for an hour or so, I discovered that propane was no longer available at Moss Landing. I was told they no longer carried it because they only made around 15 cents a gallon on it. What ever happened to service?

Later that morning I decided to find out where our Canadian friends (Steve & Lodie) were. When I called them I discovered they were right around the corner in the Monterey marina. Well shit howdy! We didn’t waste any time leaving Moss Landing and are now enjoying the company of our Canadian friends here in Monterey!

Yahoo! We're On Our Way in Bodega Bay

11/7/2010

Well, HALLELUJAH! We got a weather window on Wednesday, November 3rd  at 9 pm after diligently watching the weather for 2 1/2 weeks as we were stuck in Coos Bay (aka HELL HOLE, to me). Accompanying us was Ken, the same sailor who originally helped Jay bring our boat up from Moss Landing California to Newport, Oregon 2 years ago.We set out with  a new sailing friend, Eric, from Alaska following us in his vessel "Blue Note,"with his trusty chocolate lab sidekick "Jazz."

We had decided days earlier to sail down together for safety and other reasons. Unfortunately as we left, motoring, in a thick fog following a fishing vessel with huge, bright lights, Eric turned West closer to shore than we wanted to sail and we lost track of him for about a day. Eric finally called us the next day telling us that he was exhausted and was pulling into Eureka to rest. We told him we were going on to Bodega Bay and if he wanted to he could catch up with us.  But since Eric is sailing alone while we have 3 on board to take helm shifts, and Eric was finding it impossible to keep up with us he decided to take it slower and head down alone stopping for rest as needed. We bid each other a safe trip and promised to meet up "sometime" in the Sea of Cortez.

The seas were wonderfully mellow all the way to Bodega Bay. The only bad part was having to MOTOR the entire way because we virtually had no wind at all to put up the sails. It was lovely Saturday morning and Jay woke me up to see the ocean at about 5 am as the water looked like a placid lake instead of the ocean. The sky was a beautiful golden orange and Jay took some great photos of the sunrise. A little while later we were visited by not one, or two but FOUR groups of dolphins at different intervals who delighted us with their graceful jumps and soaring thru the crystal clear bluish water along side the boat as close as a mere 1 foot away! Several "played" with us seemingly trying to race the boat.....their grace and beauty in nature was beyond belief to me and I thankfully and joyfully yelled my greetings to them in wonderment over these incredibly beautiful fellow mammals. I feel truly blessed from this experience thanking the Great Indian Chief in the Sky for creating such beautiful, intelligent seaward companions to share the earth and our ocean adventures with us. I have to admit that I am experiencing an incredible affinity with sailors who tell stories of falling in love with the sea! When out in the ocean I am finding a peace and quietude of spirit that I have never felt before.....like totally being part of nature instead of just a "user" of its resources.

After manuevering the incredibly long, circuitous bay route into Bodega Bay, all the while dodging a bazillion crab traps (wouldn't you know we would arrive on the FIRST DAY of crabbing season!) we arrived at the fuel dock at 4 pm. Having  to motor from Wednesday to Saturday without stopping we knew we were close to being out of diesel and the 85 gallons we put into the tank proved it----after paying for fuel and a slip for the night $30--we were nearly $300 poorer! We hope on our next leg of our trip we can sail and not have to pay for fuel. I can't wait for our next "leg" to begin. I am so glad to be in California where Jay and I both were born.

Window

It looks like today will be the day we have been waiting for. There appears to be a three day window opening today, maybe longer. High tide is around noon so we should get out of here around then if they open the bar and Ken (our friend from Portland) arrives on time. Waves are large but well spaced. Shouldn't have any problems. Wind Raven is very sea worthy. The further south we get the better the weather and seas look. If the weather holds and we don't have any more electrical problems, we should make San Francisco or hopefully Monterey Bay. Boy, wouldn't that be a treat after the last three weeks.

We are still finding glitches in the electrical. I am not able to separate the house batteries from the starting battery. I disconnected the + post on the starting battery and the engine still turns over, no matter where the master switch is turned. I did this by putting a cut off switch on the + side. This morning I will move it to the Neg side and see if that will work as a temporary fix.

Judy called around and located a refrigeration repair man recommended by Englund Marine here. He is an independent worker and not only amiable, courteous, and good, but very reasonable. He drove a half hour each way, worked over two hours, and only charged $75.00. To top that off, he gave me a badly needed education on my refrigeration system. Also he came over at 8PM after another job he was working on. His first name is Matt and (541)  551-0864. He also said that he can troubleshoot over the phone. I don't know how he would charge for this service, or if he only does it for existing customers. I recommend him highly!

Crew Member Lost Overboard

Yesterday we had to say good bye to a faithful crew member who was a part of our family for over a year. Everyone who came aboard met our cat "Boogie." He is so smart and attentive to his humans that we were even able to "potty train" him to use a human toilet----at least for #1........He tried very hard to become a good crew member, but at every sail outing he became violently ill with or without his sea sickness and anti-anxiety meds. Since, as we all know, cats can't "talk" in a language we stupid humans can understand he tried to "signal" us that he did NOT want to live on a boat......his messages were: 1) not using his cat box for #2 AND 2) sweetly snuggling up to Jay and I, acting all loving at first and then giving us a "bite" on the face.....day before yesterday he did it to Jay's cheek and actually drew blood. Then, we believe, his message became vividly undeniable: "Get me outta here you idiots, can't you SEE how MISERABLE I AM??????"

So we realized we had a decision to make----I called my daughter Moriah and she said she would take him if we could "send" him up----she lives in Sweet Home and we are in Coos Bay......we don't have a car so I called our faithful buddy, Gary, in Winchester who we met in Newport. He has a sailboat and lives on it also. Long story short Gary said his brother goes to Sweet Home every other day or so, so Gary called him and worked it out for us. So yesterday Gary came to Coos Bay, took us shopping and we passed on Boogie to Gary in his cat carrier with all his toys, dishes, etc. and Gary in turn passed Boogie and his acoutrements to his brother who then drove Boogie up to Sweet Home right to my daughter's door and delivered him! My kids and grandkids all love Boogie and it was especially meaningful to my granddaughter Haley as she took a shine to him and unfortunately her previous cat had been killed by a car just a few months ago.

As soon as Boogie is able to let Moriah's Chihuahua, Oscar, know who the "boss" is, I am sure they will get along. Sure beats having to make Boogie "walk the plank." I am sad but relieved as I know now that it wasn't fair to Boogie to have to endure all that sea sickness and boat life when his main career used to be hunting mice and other creatures on land. But I bet Boogie will have some great sea story adventures to share with his land lubbing kitty buddies........farewell, sweet Kitty Prince, you WILL be missed............Cat Mom Judy

Staying busy

Some more items we have worked on to improve the  condition of Wind Raven!

Completed as of 11/07/10


Install/Replace/Repair

Radar reflector

Shaft Shark

Manual bilge pump (1)

Macerator pump

Self release EPIRB

Cockpit speakers

Wash-down pump

Bilge exhaust system

Anchor bridle

Anchor bridle cleats

Engine hoses

Clean & inspect rigging hardware

Tune rigging

Build/install dual fuel filter system

Engine coolant flow meter