So ... projects completed:
1. Last year (in October I believe), we tried to get the dinghy motor cranking, and she just wouldn't go. Turned out there was a lot of water in the gas tank ... it's just been hanging on the aft rail without a cover for something like a year and a half, and we had no idea when it was last used. We pulled everything apart ... dumped the gas/water out of the tank and dried it out ... took apart the carb and soaked and cleaned it (yuck!) ... put in a new fuel filter ... installed a new spark plug ... and figured we had done everything necessary. However, even with spraying volatile chemicals directly into the carb, we still could not get it to run. It would turn over, run for just a couple of seconds (at best), and then sputter out. Bummer. So ... back on the aft rail it went, and sat for another few months. In May of this year (2015) I was able to drag (well, not literally drag) the dinghy motor to a qualified mechanic and set him loose on it. I planned on being back to Lutra in July, and told him I would pick it up then. Late June came, and I got the call that the motor was ready to go ... apparently, the problem was that something whacky had been introduced into the carb that hardened the gasket. With a new gasket, and a little more cleaning, it was fit for duty! We were able to pick the motor up around the July 4 weekend, attached it to the dinghy, and after a few pulls got it roaring ... yay! Now Lutra has a baby sister! And we can begin crabbing!
2. We've also continued to fight with wiring. It's totally confusing, and it really shouldn't be. We've come to the conclusion that a lot of old wiring is still present. Not only that, but even though it has been disconnected from whatever it powers, it hasn't been disconnected from the power source, nor has it been removed. A recipe for trouble. While we have been able to run new (and correct colored) wiring for the forward nav lights, there is still much to do. Yeah, that's another goofy thing ... a lot of the old wire seems to have been either laid as all the same color, or painted over so that it all looks to be the same color. WHAT THE F@*K?! So, yeah, one major project yet to come it to pull ALL of the old wiring and start over (except for the basic nav lights and the salon/cabin/galley lights). But. at least we are able to legally sail at night now!
3. We've had Lutra out for a few day sails since July 2014 ... and she never disappoints! She's sails slow, steady, and stately ... exactly what I wanted. The best sail yet was during 4 July, just about a week ago. Wendy, Mad Dog, my older son Cullen and his fiancé Cecily, and I took Lutra out and shook out the sheets. The breeze was light, but steady ... the day was all blue skies and perfect temperatures ... and we had a blast! Below is a link to a video clip I cobbed together from all of the footage we captured during the day ... short, but sweet:
A quick day sail on Puget Sound with friends and family aboard Lutra!
However ... a couple of things we did notice during the day sail trips is that, while the jib is in great shape, the main is not. We've got a small rip around the lowest batten (maybe about 3 inches long), and at least one of the slider/slugs along the foot of the sail has been broken off. Not horribly disastrous in light winds ... but definitely needs to be remedied before any extensive sailing. I've also come to the conclusion that most all of the running rigging needs to be replaced ... it's all old, dirty, and worn ... and some of the hardware really should be replaced. Many of the blocks on Lutra are actually pretty cool ... wood housings! They're looking old and weathered, and should either be refurbished/cleaned, or replaced ... we'll get there! Bottom line is that Lutra can and does sail well ... and we're learning how she feels and behaves underway. She's a beauty!
4. Another basic project that I can check off is that I learned how to operate the head. Oh yeah ... sounds silly, but that's a necessary piece of equipment! Haha!! So, I spent some time figuring out the steps involved in priming, pumping, flushing, etc. Yep, it works, it's still clean ... and everyone on board can feel good about using the head.
Hmm ... let's see, what else? Other projects waiting in the wings ... installing the chart-plotter ... solar panels ... new batteries ... re-plumbing the propane system ... adding an SSB radio/modem. Those are probably the more important projects ... and I'm sure there will be others. We'll take it baby-steps at a time, and I'll be over on Lutra full time come next spring. We're shooting for a late summer jaunt down to San Diego ... from there a fall run down to the Sea of Cortez ... and after that - wherever the winds may blow us! Two old, out of shape, comical white guys ... should be a hoot!!
Well, until next time ... steady breezes!
Phil
