The LIST

We spent some time reviewing our TO DO list, and have moved some items to the 'not now' category, and tried to allocate tasks. Surprisingly...a majority of the tasks have my name next to them. I'm not sure why that is...especially since I'm not the one who is recently retired!!

Courtesy Flags

I got these for John for Valentines Day.

It is customary when sailing into a foreign country to fly the flag of that country. I've started to collect a few flags...so far, I have the USA, Mexico, Equador (Galapagos) and France. Haven't been able to find a French Polynesia flag - so France will be our fall back. I'm still looking...

I've also got a yellow quarantine flag. It is flown when you first enter a country, to indicate that you have not yet cleared customs.

The Engine Springs to Life

It's been almost a whole year of engine woes. We've become near professionals at removing and replacing the engine. I've even read a whole book on diesel engines, and troubleshooting. We've hummed, we've haaa-ed. And now - we have success. It seems that the ol' Perk is running just as smooth as can be. Pressure is right where we want it. Wahoo!!! We'll return it to it's rightful place IN the boat, next weekend. When we have finished cleaning the fuel tank, and making the engine compartment sparkly and new! Finally - good news. Now...we can really get excited. This trip might just happen after all!! :O)

Vancouver Boat Show

We went to the show...and we survived. We didn't even have to dive into our line of credit. Hurray. We had lots of great conversations with various vendors. We talked with engine manufacturers, got quotes from sailmakers, and just wandered around and oogled all the millions of gadgets that we 'need' to have on Renova. In the end, John bought me a present - a cookbook by James Barber - One Pot Wonders! And I bought a handy pair of boat boots. The best part was that we met up with cruising friends for coffee, had dinner with Brandy, and we even bumped into Mark and Jayson as we were leaving!! Great chance to catch up with old friends!

Engine Woes

The engine saga just won't end. We though that we had solved all our problems and were ready to reinstall the ol' Perkins - finally. But as we were lowering the engine from the crane, we noticed that oil was already seeping from the seals. &*%#. Never mind. Back into the truck. Back to square one. Tow the boat back to the slip.

Snug as a Bug

Here's a pic of Renova in her new berth. Huge fenders in anticipation of the winter winds...

Renova Has Moved!!

Hurray! After about 18 months on the waiting list, we've finally secured a slip at the marina. We've loved the time we've spent at the government docks - it has a great sense of community, we enjoy walking down to the boat, and the price is right. We'll miss our harbour neighbors. Yet...we are looking forward to having a designated slip, always knowing where we'll tie up, and not be so vulnerable to other boats.

We had a glorious, sunny day yesterday so John rounded up a couple friends to help move the boat. Without an engine, this task isn't as easy as it seems. We had to tow it with our little aluminum boat, and the outboard wasn't very happy with the freezing temperatures. Apparently, it was a gong show, and we've already managed to gain quite a reputation at the new marina. I'm glad I wasn't there.

A Sad Day

Yesterday, John came home with some bad news from our diesel engine mechanic. Following our third re-build this year, he is now convinced that the motor itself is fine. There seems to be other problems. The backing plate between the transmission and the engine seems to be warped, perhaps indicating alignment problems. George is hesitant to work on a fix. In addition, he is wary of our exhaust system. The multiple 90 degree elbows and convoluted routing system could also be causing problems. Although these seem to me like fixable problems, he and John are both convinced that we'd be throwing good money after bad. So...we're finally considering re-powering. The bad news is that a new engine is not in the budget, and would require us to delay our departure by another year, in order to save enough money for the engine. The disappointment is overwhelming.

SEA FEVER

I MUST down to the seas again,
to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life.
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

~John Masefield

Torture

We've got glorious fall weather this week. Yet, Renova is STILL engine-less (and they don't have a clue what is wrong). So we're still home bound. I had visions of sailing through fall and winter. Or at least moving the boat to a more protected slip in time for our winter storms. Right now...it's not looking so good. I guess there will be no escape from the drywall project after all...