Too Much Excitement

[hummingway]

Amongst my thoughts today were: you know how you'd planned to try sailing to anchor some day ... and I guess I should have checked the fuel filters like I also planned.

My tank actually does empty from the bottom so I guess it really was a case of needing to check filters. I have two filters one which is the large one before the engine and one that is part of pressure system. I'm guessing now I will need to go through the whole system and that would be a good time to decide if I need to add another filter. In any event it's time to learn to bleed the system and all that good stuff. More hanging upside down in the engine compartment

[Capt.Don]

Couple options I'm thinking about: I saw a photo of this on Pyewacket - install a dual bowl filter system with a vacuum gauge. Monitor the pressure on the vacuum gauge. When the first filter becomes clogged, switch to the second. The other option is a small day-use tank. Pump to/from the main tank through filters and you have clean fuel.
Don

[delmarrey]

There is a fuel tank related thread going on over here that might be of interest:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post578260

[Capt Phil]

Congratulations, Hummingway! In reading the description of your adventure in an area I am more than passingly familiar with (albeit, many years ago), what came through to me was you kept your head, evaluated your best case alternative, next best and down the line with several back up plans. When things go bad, they usually go bad to worse to worst! The skill that you demonstrated boat handling in a narrow channel, reading the wind and the current in changing circumstances allowing yourself to avoid problems and take advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves is a testament to your ability. You might be hard on yourself in critiquing your actions but the end result should be a great confidence builder. Well Done... Capt Phil

[hummingway]

Thanks Capt Phil. I do feel a sense of accomplishment and am really glad it happened somewhere where I knew the water fairly well.

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by hummingway

On the other hand Gabriola Passage is 100 meters wide at her entrance and full of the most magical currents.

...

On to the next issue. I had never sailed to anchor or a mooring ring. With only my headsail up and the winds so light I was moving slowly. I decide to try for my mooring bouy. I turned on power to the anchor windlass, got a line ready for the bouy and extended the boat hook and then got busy working the sail and wheel.

Great story! I especially enjoyed the "magical" currents quote above. I also liked the fact that after getting back to home waters you decided to go for it and try to pick up the mooring buoy by yourself, sails only, first time, never been done before. Nice! I've left a mooring buoy with no motor, but never tried picking one up! I think I would have taken the easy way out and anchored for a bit, but I admire your gusto!

Frank

[Bluefuss]

Glad it all worked out Hummingway, must admit his scares me a bit facing the same waters in something besides my stinkpot.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

I think I would have taken the easy way out and anchored for a bit, but I admire your gusto!

Frank

If it was summer when it's a bunch more crowded in the bay I definately would have dropped the anchor as soon as I was over good ground instead of aiming for the bouy but had I released the sheet a little earlier the bouy would have been alright.

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Bluefuss

Glad it all worked out Hummingway, must admit his scares me a bit facing the same waters in something besides my stinkpot.

I was glad to have the sails so I could try for a little control. Now two motors might have been nice :-)

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Well done Sir! Let us know how the tale finished (the engine) after you clean your drawers!

Indeed!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by hummingway

I was glad to have the sails so I could try for a little control. Now two motors might have been nice :-)

If I may.... Don't give up on the Sail/boat handling/mooring/anchoring practice Hummingway... it'll save you more often than your mechanic's.. I take every opportunity to 'not use an engine'..
I had to sail my Hunter 37 (2004) off the anchor in Taylors Creek, Beaufort.. up the ICW to Oriental and into the creek and tie up alongside at SailCraft B/yard, Oriental due to a bent prop shaft and bracket... touch and go but well worth it...
I was broke and they knew me so I felt I'd be trusted to 'make good'... I knew no one in Beaufort.... turned out a good decision...
Alan (the owner) supervised my work and put me right on things I was unsure about... and did'nt chain up my boat till the liftout/launch/berth bill was paid

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by boatman61

If I may.... Don't give up on the Sail/boat handling/mooring/anchoring practice Hummingway... it'll save you more often than your mechanic's.. I take every opportunity to 'not use an engine'..
I had to sail my Hunter 37 (2004) off the anchor in Taylors Creek, Beaufort.. up the ICW to Oriental and into the creek and tie up alongside at SailCraft B/yard, Oriental due to a bent prop shaft and bracket... touch and go but well worth it...
I was broke and they knew me so I felt I'd be trusted to 'make good'... I knew no one in Beaufort.... turned out a good decision...
Alan (the owner) supervised my work and put me right on things I was unsure about... and did'nt chain up my boat till the liftout/launch/berth bill was paid

You certainly may ... I was thinking that where I am, because of the currents, practicing with the motor on but not engaged would be one possibility. BC has more then its share of passages where a motor failure would be challenging.

[Capt Phil]

You are dead right, Hummingway. i was faced with a similar problem in Welcome Pass years ago and entered Secret Cove under full sail in westerly, doused the head sail after heading towards the far end of the cove and kept the main full all the way down dodging around others in the anchorage. Set the anchor up for a quick deploy as I got the head sail under control and raced back to the cockpit in time to round up, let the mainsheet go, began a serious luff and dropped the anchor just as I came to a halt and began to pay out anchor rode. Boat stopped on a dime right where I planned but if I hadn't got a good hold on the first anchor deployment, I was screwed and would have been on the gravel beach at the end of the cove. Exciting, yes... risky, yes... but it was a confidence builder for me! At the time my boat was an Ingrid 38 and singlehanding to a job up in Jervis Inlet. Capt Phil

[hummingway]

Everybody watching probably thought you were showing off

It's funny to think that not that long ago no-one had a motor. Capt Vancouver and entourage did Johnstone Strait without a motor. I believe he did have an "oh crap" moment or two though.

[Wand]

Originally Posted by hummingway

It's funny to think that not that long ago no-one had a motor. Capt Vancouver and entourage did Johnstone Strait without a motor.

Yes, it was only 5 minutes ago (ok, a few decades) when a motor was always referred to as an 'auxilliary engine'; these days maybe the sail is often the auxilliary.