Well….Bev disappeared several days ago, and now I know why. Right after her mysterious disappearance, the floating steel tube isn’t floating anymore. Now, when I look out of the cockpit, nothing but asphalt…a long way down.
That’s just the beginning; Jim has torn the boat apart! Tools and boat parts everywhere, I can hardly find a place to nap. And it’s hot in here!
Jim’s really done it now; I’m afraid she’s not coming back. Wish I had stowed away in her backpack!
Storm
Most sailboats are sloop rigs which is a single mast with one headsail and one mainsail. The headsail is known as the jib. For greater power the jib is sometimes enlarged and becomes larger than the triangle formed by the mast, deck, and forestay. When this occurs, the sail becomes known as a genoa or “jenny”. Sailors refer to the engine as the “iron Jenny”.
As we left Brewerton, with our new starter, full fuel tanks, and full water tanks, we planned stops in Phoenix, Fulton, and Oswego, along the Oswego Canal. Once out of the canal, we planned one stop on Lake Ontario before entering Canada where we would spend the next six weeks. The first day went well as it was a short 10-mile trip with only one lock. The dock wall in Phoenix only had 15-amp power connections, so with no adapter we were unable to use shore power to cook or charge batteries. Not a problem, batteries were fully charged before leaving Brewerton and Phoenix had one open restaurant. We were joined dockside by a couple living and traveling aboard their 52-foot trawler.
Tuesday found us up and ready to head north through two locks to Fulton. The Oswego Canal follows the Oswego River and is very scenic running through rural NY. As we entered the first lock in Fulton, the iron jenny died. Bev was able to maintain both lines in the lock while I went below to find our batteries had boiled out and died. A quick change to the other battery bank, the engine came to life and we exited the lock under our own power.
There is about 1/2mile between locks 2 and 3 in Fulton and between them lies the Fulton Marina. We managed to enter the marina basin only to find that the docks had not been placed in the water for the season and there was no power or water. Nor was there any means to access the town over the very high basin wall. So, we left Fulton with a new plan to stop in Minetto. Here we would assess the cause of our battery issue and recharge them. Alas, no power on the docks in Minetto. After some time spent in the engine compartment, I determined the internal voltage regulator in the alternator had failed.
Looking back over our travels, it is obvious that we have spent a great deal of time making repairs and indeed altering our stops and anchoring plans due to engine problems. And, being in the canals of NY and Canada with the masts lowered, the iron jenny is our only source of propulsion. So, with all of this taken into consideration, the likelihood of spending six weeks in Canada and not having some kind of major engine failure, was very slim. Therefore, we decided to return to Brewerton, to Ess-Kay Yards to replace the 28- year old iron Jenny. Ess-Kay Yards is a small family owned yard that will allow me to make my own repairs. These yards are becoming very rare, so the possibility of finding another location would be unlikely.
We made it back without incident and have ordered a new engine. We hope to have delivery by the middle of next week and be back under way within two weeks. Meanwhile, we will keep you posted on our progress and be sure to look for Bev and Storms comments on living in a boat that is “on the hard” being rebuilt. Should be interesting!!
I guess the combination of nine months off the boat, three anesthesia’s, and the winter freeze was more impactful than expected. We knew that the marina staff was unable to get the engine started when they launched Stealaway. So, when we arrived Sunday night, we expected to spend a couple of days making repairs. Opening up the boat I could not find the hatch screen. Bev was at the same time searching for the companionway screen. After several minutes she looked at me and asked, didn’t you take the screens home to repair them? Then came the realization that yes, I did. However, not only did I forget to bring them back, I also forgot to repair them. Wow, senior moment at its finest.
Monday began our first day of repairs and preparations for our 4 to 5-month adventure. First, we got power to the boat to charge batteries. Once the batteries were charged the engine still would not even turn over. Further investigation proved that the starter was indeed burnt up. Kim at the marina is very resourceful and located a replacement for our “obsolete” starter. After driving 60 miles north to retrieve the replacement we discovered that the mounting was different. Then it was a 20-mile trip south to secure new bolts so that we could mount the starter. Note to self, keep repeating “old boats are fun”.
Now on to the primary reason for not starting. The stop valve on the motor wasn’t fully closed and would not allow fuel into the engine. We adjusted the stop cable, changed fuel filters and engine oil. Success, engine is running well for five minutes, then over temp alarm goes off. Oh yea, the marina winterized the engine and drained all the coolant. Senior moment number two. Replaced coolant and all is well.
Next up was provisioning with food, water and other needed supplies. So today, Friday, we first hit the laundromat then finally returned the rental car. We are boat-bound once again. Tomorrow morning, we will take on fuel and begin our trek west to the Oswego Canal. Once there we will spend a few days on the canal before crossing Lake Ontario and entering Canada. Since the spring has been so rainy, combined with the spring thaw runoff, Lake Ontario is five feet above normal water level and many marinas are closed. Those that are open have limited power and services. All part of the adventure.