Oil Change

6070.6 hours
Took advantage of some of the crew being out of town to do some needed engine maintenance. First, I checked to see if there was any "junk" on the leading end (intake) of the oil cooler. It was clean. Next I changed the injector oil. Its been over 50 hours, but the oil looked fine. Next I tackled the main engine oil change. Since I had no commitments I took my time to change the oil. First I sucked the oil out of the dip stick hole using the little portable oil changer pump which went quicker than I expected. I didn't start the engine to heat up the oil like I normally do. Rather the day was kind of warm and just sucked the oil out "cold." I had to use 3 containers to hold all the oil - or about 3.9 gallons. Next I removed all the old "oil zorb" pads and pillow out of the engine room. I didn't have an oil filter so I had to go to the store and buy a new Fram 8A oil filter. So when I took the oil up to the oil recycling center I went to the auto parts store too. When I came back I changed the oil filter and cleaned up. A trick I learned was to remove the oil filter bracket from the engine, then loosen the filter, then put a plastic zip lock bag around the filter and screw the filter off. When the filter is off, simply seal up the zip lock bag - no mess and no fuss. Finally I enjoyed a couple of fingers of whiskey after the oil changing project to relax. I'm ready for doing a little local cruise.

The last time the main engine oil was changed was at 5952.7 hours or 117.9 hours elapsed.

Post Trip Stats

I came down to the boat to tidy some things up, enjoy a finger or two of whiskey and quietly reminisce about the recent 2010 summer trip.

Here's some cumulative 2010 trip stats:

• Total engine hours for the trip: 112.6
• Total trip miles (not including Zipper excursions): 628.7 nm
• Total running time (not including Zipper excursions): 105 hours
• Average trip speed (not including Zipper excursions): 5.98 knots
• Average trip rpm (estimated): 1750 rpm
• Estimated fuel used (not including Zipper excursions): 175 gallons
• Nights anchored/moored out: 19
• Nights at a marina: 5
• Time spent: Priceless
  

Day 24 - Home

Saturday, July 31, 2010
We left our Eagle Island mooring buoy at 0655 under thick gray cloudy skies and a W wind about 10 knots or so. The current was flooding so we took advantage of it - although it was not flooding as hard as it was yesterday afternoon so the benefit to us was not that great. As we motored along I was hoping for more of a push from the flood current but it just never happened. So we took it slow - we were in no hurry to get home. Besides that, late yesterday I noticed that the temperature was a bit higher than normal, so there's probably a bunch of "junk" on the intake side of the oil cooler. Cruising through Central Puget Sound yesterday I noticed a lot of debris - eel grass, bits of kelp, algae, and other junk - in the water.

We had that persistent W - SW breeze all the way home; around Devils Head, down Dana Passage and into Budd Inlet. As it always is, it was relieving to round the Boston Harbor light and get your first glimpse of the state capitol and the end of our journey. I remembered the sailor's dilemma, "Can't wait to leave port, can't wait to get back." As we motored down Budd Inlet we started packing some things instinctively into bags and preparing for the end of our trip. Passing the #5 day mark into Olympia Harbor I started my chores of taking down the mast, radio antennas, and putting out the fenders. Just outside West Bay Marina Kim took the Zipper in and helped me bring the Independence into our slip. I noticed that we have two new sailboat neighbors on the other side of the finger pier and end of the dock. We'll haul the Zipper out this morning, since there's no convenient place to keep her for a day or two.

Well, it was a good safe trip. Once again the Independence took us the whole way up and back without any problems or concerns - she's a good boat. Thanks be to God for a safe trip.

All in all we traveled with the Zipper and Independence 667.7 nautical miles! We returned to our slip at 0940.

Stats: 15.3 nm, average speed 5.4 knots, running time 2:49, ending engine hours 6070.6.

Day 23 - Down the Sound

Friday, July 30, 2010

It is terribly foggy, you can't even see to the end of the breakwater, so the "viz" is about 1/4 mile or less. A neighboring motorsailer left at 0800 only to return because it was so "pea soupy out there." Earlier I heard the Kingston ferry do a "5 horn blast" probably because of some boater being in the ferry's way. By the time we decided to leave the fog was starting to lift and I didn't even have to turn on the radar. We left late so we would make the Tacoma Narrows on time to take advantage of the flood current on our last leg to home. We left Kingston late at 1005.

We motored out of Appletree Cove and into the Central Sound. The morning's fog and clouds were rapidly lifting to another clear and sunny day. There were quite a few boats out fishing and we avoided them and by the time we hit President Point they were all gone. I made for a way-point just off of the east side of Blake Island. I turned the helm over to Kim for a bit and I rested on the settee. It really was kind of boring cruising - there was no wind or boats, just heading S in the open central sound. By the time we hit the Blake Island waypoint I took over to do my "Colvos Passage thing" - that is, cruise close to the W shore of Vashon Island to take advantage of the back eddy. Besides that it makes it more interesting to see all the houses and stuff on shore. We made about 6.5 - 7 knots along the shore. I deviated from my route about 2/3 of the way down Colvos - near the Colvos #3 day marker - since the back eddy was kind of waning and I wasn't getting the speed I wanted. So I went straight and followed my GPS course to Pt. Richmond. We made Pt. Defiance according to schedule at 1526 (3:26 PM) and proceeded to ride the flood current into the South Sound. We started to make supper by Hyde Point on McNeil Island. As we were passing Eagle Island in Balch Passage I noticed that a mooring buoy on the W side of Eagle Island was available. So we decided to take advantage of it and stay out one more night.

Originally we planned to be in Olympia on Friday night to travel to Wenatchee by car on Saturday to pick up a new pup. But just before Eagle Island the lady we were getting the pup from called and said that Saturday was not available to pick up the pup. This further justified our staying out one more night. Besides that it was a beautiful sunny evening and now we were not in a hurry. We tied up to the mooring buoy at 1700.

We had already enjoyed supper so we lazily motored around the island in the Zipper enjoying the evening and sipping some after dinner drinks. There were plenty of Harbor seals about and a pair of bald eagles. A pair of Kingfishers were not happy with our interruption of there fishing and let us know with a noisy call. I then finished off the day with a cigar on the bow of the Independence.

As the evening wore on to night the weather changed to lots of low clouds and a 10-15 knot W wind which ended any sort of a peaceful evening and sleep.

Stats: 41.4 nm, average speed 6.0 knots, running time 6:56, ending engine hours 6067.5.

Day 22 - On to Kingston

Thursday, July 29, 2010
We untied from our mooring buoy at 0610 under foggy skies. Visibility was about 1 mile or less. I turned on the radar just to be safe. We cruised against an ebb current making only 4.5 knots or less to about Strawberry Point, Whidbey Island and Skagit Bay. Once we passed Strawberry Point we rode the southerly ebb to our advantage out of Saratoga Passage. It was pretty easy cruising in that there weren't too many boats out, and the weather was fairly calm. I laid down at about Columbia Beach (just after we passed the Clinton ferry) and let Kim take the helm until we reached about Possession Point - about an hour later. We had low clouds all the way to Kingston when it quickly burned off. Just by the Kingston ferry dock in the outer cove, Kim got into the Zipper and met me at the dock. We got to Kingston and tied up at the dock at about 1320 (1:20 PM). Initially we pulled into a slip because the gas dock was busy, however then we went over to the gas dock and filled up with diesel.

I put 150 gallons of diesel in at $2.90 a gallon for a total of $435.02. We last got fuel at 5967.7 hours which calculates to be 92.3 hours which calculated to be 1.63 gph! Most of our cruising rpm was at 1750 rpm which was a bit lower than years past.

It's good to be in Kingston. We've cruised 102 hours so far. We'll have a long cruising day tomorrow. We went up to Bella Luna for our traditional supper of a "Morgan's Special Pizza." As always it was very good. We ate about half, boxed the other half for tomorrow's breakfast and lunch for the cruise down.

Like yesterday, there was a minus tide around 1230-1300. As we were coming into to Appletree Cove I hailed a 30' planing cruiser boat on the VHF which was headed towards Appletree Cove Point but a bit too close to shore. I said, "You're cruising a bit to close to shore and as you get to the point it will be shoal." He was cruising fast and I don't think he payed attention to my radio call. As he approached the point he came to a dead stop. I think he discovered the shoal.

We met another boater from Olympia who had a blue heeler dog just like Hank. We chatted for a bit. He was just starting his vacation while we were ending ours. I passed on some of my boating knowledge during our conversation since he was a relatively new boater.

Stats: 43.6 nm, average speed 5.9 knots, running time 7:22, ending engine hours 6060.0.

Day 21 - Short cruise day

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I got up early to get doughnuts at the "doughnut shop" in Friday Harbor - cinnamon rolls, maple bars, and chocolate covered cake donuts - one with sprinkles and one with nuts. This is kind of a tradition that we've doing over the past few years.

x

Left Friday Harbor at 0815 under foggy skies. We turned the radar on after just getting out of Friday Harbor for our cruise up Upright Channel. We used it until we just got past Flat Point in Upright Channel. I was worried about a ferry encounter like we experienced last year, but we could easily see the ferry regardless of radar or not. He passed us heading S down Upright Channel just before Flat Point. We rounded Upright Head and worked our towards Thatcher Pass, passing Leo Rocks to our starboard side. The boat traffic was increasing; it seemed that most boats were leaving the San Juans, but a few are coming into the San Juans too. After Thatcher Pass we turned down the small channel between James Island and Decatur Island riding a pretty healthy ebb right into Rosario Strait. As we passed the southern end of James Island I worked our way towards Bird Rocks and was making a good 9 knots or more taking advantage of the ebb. Using this ebb to our advantage, we crabbed our way across the Strait moving more S than E. Again it was strange pointing the bow to the E, but the course was more southerly. In the center of Rosario Strait it was a bit rolly from Juan de Fuca Strait but not too bad - it just made our ride a bit uncomfortable with a side-to-side roll. We made Deception Pass at 1130 which was a bit early for slack but it was no problem working our way against the ebb current in the pass. We rounded Hoypus Point on Whidbey Island and headed towards Hope Island where we hoped we could get a mooring buoy for the night.

There's four mooring buoys at Hope Island State Park; #1 is the farthest W and #4 is the farthest E along the N Hope Island shore. Initially we took buoy #2 but found that we were almost touching bottom. There was a minus tide. According to the depth sounder (located at the stern) we only had ONE foot of water between the keel and the bottom. I took a look and could see that when I engaged the prop we were churning up muddy water. Too shallow for me. So we moved on to buoy #4. Buoy #4 had 7 feet of water but it seemed way too close to shore. After we tied up to the buoy it seemed that there was only 15-20 feet between us (stern of the boat) and the shore. I still chose to take this buoy since the tide was rising and there was more water beneath us than at mooring buoy #2. The next low tide was not really low and we would not be challenged with low water. We tied up to mooring buoy #4 by 1218.

We made lunch and then about 1330 the heavy clouds begain to clear and by 1400 we enjoyed clear skies. After lunch we took the Zipper over to Skagit Island and the marine trail campsite where we spent the afternoon on the beach. We then came back to the Independence and had a nice supper of European wieners and home fried potatoes. Later, Josef called us and told us he was signing with the Oceanside (Parksville) Generals.

x

Stats: 24.3 nm, average speed 6.0 knots, running time 4:02, ending engine hours 6052.4

Day 20 - Back in the US

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

An absolutely still night made for a very good sleep. There wasn't a ripple or a breath of wind all night long.

We untied from the mooring buoy at Montague Harbor at 0615 for the next leg of our journey - on to Friday Harbor and the US. We left under clear skies and that persistent NW wind of about 10 knots. As we motored down Trincomali Channel, into Navy Channel, and into Plumper Sound we had a brisk SE wind of 10 knots. We seemed to be fighting the current most of the way to Friday Harbor. Crossing Haro Strait/Boundary Pass was lumpy. We crossed the border at about 0846. There were quite a few boats out.

One funny comment, as we were crossing Boundary Pass, we saw a large cruise ship heading W. The VHF radio crackled "This is the Princess of the Seas, calling the Pacific Pearl." "This is the Pacific Pearl. " Princess: "Good morning skipper, what are your intentions?" Pacific Pearl: "We're going to pick up speed and try to cut across your bow." Princess: "Are you sure skipper? We're doing almost 30 knots. I don't think that would be too wise. We're pretty heavy." Pacific Pearl: "Okay skipper we'll slip in behind you." Princess: "Wise choice skipper. Have a great day." Pearl: no answer. Kim and I laughed and laughed. We're familiar with the Pacific Pearl. It's a 40+ foot cruiser. It also proves my axiom, "Never ever mess with a ship."

Once again we found ourselves crabbing across Boundary Pass. I had the bow pointed almost towards Jones Island but the current was pushing us W. We were not making good speed, only about 4+ knots. Once we passed our waypoint W of Jones Island and in San Juan Channel we stared picking up speed towards Friday Harbor. We called Friday Harbor for a slip and were put on a waiting list at #6. Meanwhile we headed for the customs dock. After what seemed to be an eternity a customs agent came down to the boat and asked for our papers and just looked at the boat from the dock. He asked a few questions then left. He told me to wait and then pick up the customs phone. Next thing you know the customs phone rang, I answered, and it was a different customs agent. I answered their questions and was granted permission to enter the US with clearance #: 301420100727142547. One interesting thing I did find out though was that this was the busiest pleasure boat port of entry in the US.

When I returned to the boat, Kim told me that we had received our slip assignment: E21. Kim went off in the Zipper to meet me at the finger pier and help me in. Fortunately the current was not running and I got into the slip - bow in, starboard tie - without any problem. We finally got all tied up at 1150. I was exhausted.

We called Ted Leche - our good friend and retired Episcopalian priest who's wife had recently passed away - to see if he wanted to visit. We enjoyed a beer and snacks down at the boat and then went up to Herb's Tavern for supper. Kim was in the mood for a cheeseburger. Kim had a blue cheese and bacon burger, and I had the beer batter fish and chips. It was really good. After supper I came back to the boat and crashed. I always get so nervous about going through customs and the current in Friday Harbor. I know, I know there's nothing to worry about. And there wasn't.

Stats: 28.1 nm, average speed 5.3 knots, running time 5:20, ending engine time 6048.0.

Day 19 - Early morning beating the "Dodd Crush"

Monday, July 26, 2010.
Left Newcastle Harbor at 0515 - very early to get through Dodd Narrows before maximum ebb. Slack was at 0436 and I figured that the ebb current couldn't be more than 3-4 knots. Maximum ebb was about 0730 at 5+ knots. As it was we went through Dodd Narrows at 0620. A tug announced his N bound transit and then I caught a glimpse of a second tug down S of the rapids. He did not announce his transit through the rapids. Unfortunately we met in the narrows just as we were going S by a N bound tug. He slowed down for a moment but then sped up again. The tug made quite a wake and "rolled up" the rapids. After the tug, we shot through the narrows at 10 knots or more. There were a few standing waves about 2' high but no whirlpools or currents that we couldn't handle. What was amazing was that the tug we met in the rapids was the only other boat - not a single other boat. Wow, after all these times when we transited the narrows and experiencing the "parade of Bayliners" we only saw ONE boat. I like these early morning transits of Dodd Narrows.

After Dodd, Trincomali Passage was fairly calm with a NW breeze of about 10-15 knots making a 1' chop. We passed Round Island, made our way S towards Reed Island, and then down towards Walker Rock. As we got closer to Montague the seas abated to only a ripple. Very few boats out but as we approached Montague Harbor the boat traffic increased. They are probably leaving Montague to get through Dodd Narrows at the next slack which was about 11:30. We rode a good ebb down Trincomali sometimes even doing over 8 knots, but generally 6.5-7 knots. We found a mooring buoy that we're familiar with - the last one on the W side of the bay, close to the island. We tied up at 0925. We noticed that all the mooring buoys were taken by noon.

Weather is still clear and sunny along with the persistent NW wind. The wind was appreciated during the day because it didn't make it so hot.

We relaxed then went to the beach where we threw the stick for Hanky and then walked the Point Grey trail around the island. We then came back and made supper - Vindaloo Pork Chops and grilled shrimp skewers. We then had a leisurely evening. Our last night in Canada on the boat for 2010. I enjoyed our last night in Canada with a couple of tots of Canadian whiskey.


Stats: 27.9 nm, average speed 6.5 knots, running time 4:17, ending engine time 6042.5.

Day 18 - Surfing

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Left Boho Bay at 1000 for the final crossing of Georgia Strait to Nanaimo. Its forecast to be windy and it is. I was quite nervous. My hope was that by leaving at 10 AM the wind would die around noon and we'd have a nice easy crossing. The wind is blowing at 15+ knots out of the NW. From Bull Passage we set a course to Clarke Rock just out of Nanaimo. Fortunately "Area WG" is not active so we can cut directly across. Once we cleared the lee of Lasqueti Island the waves and swell got bad. The wind was over 15 knots and seas were at least 3' moderate with a few 4' seas thrown in. We quartered the waves and swell, or should I say we surfed with the waves and swell. At least we were not pounding into them. We were doing 6+ knots but every now and then we'd catch a wave which would catch the stern and thrust us forward to the point we would be doing over 8 knots. I kept watch and would notice that the big waves came in sets. I would say, "Okay, here come a few bad ones." Then I would make sure to point the bow more to the S so we would not get too beam to which would cause us to rock too much side-to-side. Again, I was glad we were riding with the seas and not pounding into them.
x

As we approached Clarke Rock we saw that there was a "Bathtub Race" going on. Each bathtub was powered by an outboard and had a chase boat with it. We must have seen at least 8-10 bathtubs racing. The bathtup racers were moving NW against the wind and waves. The bathtup racers would soar into the air as they hit a wave. The chase boat would stick close to the bathtub racer but they too were getting tossed about. There was a huge "bathtub" boat just past Clarke Rock that would greet each racer. As we approached Clarke Rock the wind freshened to 20+ knots. As I listened to weather radio the report at Entrance Island (about 2 nm away) was wind at 25 knots and seas were 4' moderate. The seas were definitely a 4' moderate. It was a relief to pull into Nanaimo Harbor. As we pulled into Nanaimo we saw the huge finish line celebration for the bathtub racers. The beach was packed and there were so many boats.

At the N entrance to Newcastle Channel the RCMP were handing out speeding tickets to any boats that were exceeding the 5 knot speed limit. (Never saw that before!) I made sure I was just under 5 knots. The channel was packed with boats coming and going. We finally pulled into Newcastle Harbor at just before 2:00 PM and set the hook in 23' of water right at 2:00 PM. We found a spot to anchor near an existing mooring buoy. If a boat decided to tie up to the buoy we'd be close. So I decided to move a bit more to get more space. Fortunately no boat ever tied up to the mooring buoy.

After getting settled, we went to the beach and took a walk. After surfing down the Strait, I'm sure Hank enjoyed the walk on dry land. Then we went to town and got some more groceries. We came back and enjoyed the evening. For supper we had pan fried potatoes and grilled pork chops finished with the Vindaloo glaze. I had a nice big caesar with lots of ice. Then a Gibsons on the rocks too.

Stats: 24.3 nm, average speed 6.2 knots, running time 3:52, ending engine time 6037.9.

Day 17 - Going South

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Weighed anchor at 0555 under clear skies. There was a light NW breeze blowing when we left and it blew the whole time until we anchored in Boho Bay, Lasqueti Island. And, it kept blowing. There was a 1' chop through Desolation Sound, and seas started building again after Lund. Just past Harwood Island the seas started really building as the wind and waves came right down Algerine Passage (the passage between northern Texada Island and Harwood Island). They rapidly went from a 2' chop to a 3' moderate or maybe more. Just by Grief Point I laid down and left the helm to Kim. I resumed the helm just before NE Point on Texada Island. At times the NW wind blew hard, maybe 20 knots or more especially around NE Point on Texada Island. Fortunately we were riding with the waves so it wasn't too bad. However, the few boats going N did not have a smooth ride. You could see them pounding through the waves. Every now and then they'd hit a wave and spray would rise above the boat and cover the whole boat. Fortunately, not only were we riding with the ebb, but the wind pushed us along too so we were making great speed and time. But, it was still tiring since in a following sea the Independence likes to yaw a bit, so you have to work the wheel to keep the bow forward and not let the boat pitch. I considered anchoring in Anderson Bay on Texada, but it was busy with several boats. So we kept on going. The seas calmed right down to just a ripple at the S end of Texada Island - Upwood Point. As we came round the S end of Texada, the NW wind blowing down Sabine Channel hit us hard, sending spray over the bow and onto the windows. Entering Bull Passage there were very strong NW winds. We pulled into Boho Bay and dropped the anchor near a small bight were it gets narrow and out of the wind.

x

We dropped the anchor in 36' of water at half rising tide at 1425. I put out all 100' of chain because of the wind which must have been blowing at least 20-25 knots and higher with gusts. When we pulled in a nearby sailboat pulled up his anchor and left. Not sure if it was because of me or not. I wasn't that close to him at all. Strange. There were 2 other sailboats and a powerboat anchored to the E of us, nearer to Boho Island. The NW wind continued to blow and at times hard.

Later a couple of small powerboats came into the bay and I helped one try to do a stern with the Zipper tie since it wanted to anchor near me to be out of the wind, but it just didn't work because the wind was blowing so hard. They moved out into the center of the bay and did their best with the wind. I was impressed with the crew because she must've pulled up the anchor at least 4 times while they tried to anchor. There was no windlass just her manually pulling up the anchor. The skipper (presumably her husband) manuevered the boat and barked out orders. They finally traded places and he set the anchor. The poor gal was probably exhausted.

I took a few minutes to check things over in the engine room. I looked good. I then settled down with a cold beer. I listened to the weather radio to get what the current reports were and what might be the forecast for tomorrow. We still had to get to Nanaimo and the worst part of the Strait - between Lasqueti Island and Vancouver Island. Current reports were that the wind was blowing 25 knots at Ballenas Island and at Entrance Island. Lighthouse reports at Entrance Island was that seas were a 4' moderate. Tomorrow the weather and winds were supposed to be more of the same - NW winds at 15-20 knots, although they said that winds may diminish to 10-15 knots near mid-day. So we might leave a bit late.

As the evening wore on the wind continued to blow. For supper I made some European wieners and home fried potatoes. Normally we do a Zipper exploration of Jedediah Island but it was just too windy. So we just stayed put.

Stats: 55.7 nm, average speed 6.5 knots, running time 8:32, ending engine time 6033.9.