Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

Greetings from Fiji,
A quick, slightly longwinded, note to report what happens to a boat
left alone with her keel in a hole for too long...not pretty.
We expected the mold to be growing on almost every surface since we
knew there would be very few nice days for our boat-minder to air her
out, and had already been informed that the solar charge controller
had gone kaput so the batteries would be flat and the fans not
operating. Since the engine couldn't be started we kind of expected
some probems there too.
The reality of things was kind of shocking, though, and I doubt I'll
ever leave our girl alone like that again. Bottom line is what we've
always known- the worst thing you can do to a boat is not use her for
too long.
Getting her cleaned up really wasn't too hard; just wipe everything
down with bleach and you're good to go. Luckily all four golf cart
batteries were tough enough to come back since they cost about $500
each here to replace, and the new solar charge controller we brought
back was a cinch to install. Most of the pumps and motors still
worked, which was cool, but the bilge pump float switch had given up
the ghost- no prob there, had a spare. Then came splash day.
The short trip from the travel lift to the tie-up spot would have been
comical if it weren't so stressfull on poor Ladysailor. There really
wasn't a practical way to test the engine before we hit the water
besides a quick crank, or at least that's what I thought, so there we
were, hanging in the straps, cranking the old Isuzu, running down to
bleed some more fuel, trying again, etc. with a very patient lift
operator wishing we'd hurry up and just s**t or get off the pot. We
could have gotten a tow to our berth, but no, gotta get this beast
going I'm thinking. Finally with a cloud of smoke she sputters to
life, whoopee, happy time now, she's smoothed out and purring like a
kitten. Ha ha.
Transmission seems to work OK, something I actually had tried in
advance, so off we go for the 200 yard voyage across the little lagoon
that is the marina here. "Why's all that smoke coming out of the
cabin?" shrieks Ladysailor as we pull away from the launching area.
"Oh, nothing too major," I answer after a quick look, "just a belt
slipping a little," as the engine alarm starts buzzing loudly. "No
problem" says I, reaching for the kill handle that is rusted solid and
unmovable, "just put her into neutral and we'll coast in." You
guessed it, the trans lever no longer wants to move and we're stuck in
forward, heading for a really hard sea wall. All was well once we did
a quick donut and I somehow was able to budge the kill lever on the
engine enough to shut her down, but I think we both grew a few new
grey hairs that afternoon. Turns out the alternator was rusted solid
and the belt that also spins the water pump just melted down going
over the stationary pulley.
Amazingly enough, almost everything seems fixed now, after going
through a can of WD-40 and Tri-Flow, and we may actually get out
cruising in a week or two, or at least do a sea trial. Here's a link
to Fijian-style boat storage http://www.sailinglinks.com/IMG_1709.JPG
Seaya,
Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella, a Swift 40
www.sailinglinks.com

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 17, 3:40*am, wrote:
On Fri, 16 May 2008 19:24:57 -0700 (PDT), cruisin
wrote:

Greetings from Fiji,
http://www.sailinglinks.com/IMG_1709.JPG
Seaya,
Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella, a Swift 40
www.sailinglinks.com

Having the anchor deployed was a nice touch! :')- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, have to be prepared for tsunamis y'know. :0) Group seems a
little quiet, BTW. Sure hope it's because everybody went sailing ...
M

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,
A quick, slightly longwinded, note to report what happens to a boat
left alone with her keel in a hole for too long...not pretty.............
... The reality of things was kind of shocking, though, and I doubt I'll
ever leave our girl alone like that again. Bottom line is what we've
always known- the worst thing you can do to a boat is not use her for
too long.

Yep, gremlins invade boats that are left too long... it sounds like
you all had some bad ones, but made a speedy recovery. Glad to hear
everything worked out.

Just a suggestion: it may be cost-effective to replace the electrolyte
in your batteries. Batteries that are left flat invariably suffer loss
of capacity. It may be a relatively easy & cheap way chase out a few
electrical gremlins.

Putting the keel in a hole for dry storage may be common in the
tropics... that's the way boats are kept in much of the eastern
Caribbean. Harder to work on the bottom, easier to work on everything
else!

It's good to hear from you!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 18, 6:05*pm, wrote:
cruisin *wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,
A quick, slightly longwinded, note to report what happens to a boat
left alone with her keel in a hole for too long...not pretty..............
... The reality of things was kind of shocking, though, and I doubt I'll
ever leave our girl alone like that again. *Bottom line is what we've
always known- the worst thing you can do to a boat is not use her for
too long.

Yep, gremlins invade boats that are left too long... it sounds like
you all had some bad ones, but made a speedy recovery. Glad to hear
everything worked out.

Just a suggestion: it may be cost-effective to replace the electrolyte
in your batteries. Batteries that are left flat invariably suffer loss
of capacity. It may be a relatively easy & cheap way chase out a few
electrical gremlins.

Putting the keel in a hole for dry storage may be common in the
tropics... that's the way boats are kept in much of the eastern
Caribbean. Harder to work on the bottom, easier to work on everything
else!

It's good to hear from you!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Yeah, except in this part of the world I think they're called
menehunes, polynesian cousins of the gremlins. I always like it when
they decide to fix something they've screwed up- it actually does
happen sometimes when you leave them a plate of coconut cookies at
night.
All we're waiting for now is a small, lightweight, brave soul to
ascend the mizzen mast to r/r the windgen blades, and a very laidback
NoCal vendor to ship a new contactor for the windlass.
So how does one replace electrolyte in batteries? Gotta get the old
stuff out somehow and find an all night electrolyte store for a few
quarts of new juice? I might try equalizing them first, something
I've never had very good luck doing.
Yes, it was kind of handy to have the boat set down low for getting on
and off, and polishing the hull. Also didn't have that scary feeling
of about to tip over like when she's on stands.
Any of the rest of the old regulars ever check in here anymore? I
mean besides WilNeal? Barb and I had an 11 hour layover in Auckland
and thought about looking up your old pal the Navigator as we drove by
the university, but couldn't remember his real name. Who knows if he
even teaches there anymore.
We're still hoping to take a trip south when we get to Queensland and
see if we can't find Tadpole. We're looking forward to winetasting
our way there.
Please say hi to katysails for us if/when you see her. Tell her we're
soon on our way to Vanuatu for reals. Been getting out sailing on the
new boat much?
Best,
MandB

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

In article ,
wrote:
cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,
stuff deleted

Yeah Mike/Barb... nice hearing from you!

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...
On May 18, 6:05 pm, wrote:
cruisin wrote:
Please say hi to katysails for us if/when you see her. Tell her we're
soon on our way to Vanuatu for reals. Been getting out sailing on the
new boat much?


Saying it is about the only way she'll get the message . . .

Didn't you hear the very sad and disturbing news? She is going or went
blind. Macular degeneration or some such. So sad! It almost makes me cry.

Wilbur Hubbard

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 19, 8:43*am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
"cruisin" wrote in message

...
On May 18, 6:05 pm, wrote: cruisin wrote:

Please say hi to katysails for us if/when you see her. *Tell her we're
soon on our way to Vanuatu for reals. *Been getting out sailing on the
new boat much?

Saying it is about the only way she'll get the message . . .

Didn't you hear the very sad and disturbing news? She is going or went
blind. Macular degeneration or some such. So sad! It almost makes me cry.

Wilbur Hubbard

No, hadn't heard, that is a real bummer. My parents both had that
happen, said it was like viewing the world through a broken
kalidoscope(sp?). Luckily they each had one eye less affected than
the other, still not fun. Really, really sorry to hear this.

Mike

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 19, 12:04*am, (Jonathan Ganz) wrote:
In article ,*dougki wrote:
cruisin *wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,

stuff deleted

Yeah Mike/Barb... nice hearing from you!

Thanks Mon, hope I didn't disrupt the off topic stuff that seems to
dominate the group too much!
You guys had a major heat wave lately diidn't ya.
Say, do you ever do any business with Swendsens Marine? Those boys
have been dropping the ball big time as far as getting me a windlass
part, and won't communicate with me as to what's going on. Kinda
frustrating being all the way over here and powerless to make anything
happen. They make West Marine customer service look good!
Mike

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 16, 6:24*pm, cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,

Bula !

So howmuch does it cost to have your boat there? Are you abouts Suva
or the dry side?

Vanakavaka levu,
Bob

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 19, 10:09*pm, Bob wrote:
On May 16, 6:24*pm, cruisin wrote:

Greetings from Fiji,

Bula !

So howmuch does it cost to have your boat there? Are you abouts Suva
or the dry side?

Vanakavaka levu,
Bob

Bula Bob,

Funny you should ask, since I just got the marina bill today. It's
about $100 FD a week for in the water, plus $3 FD/day for
electricicity, and includes free WiFi. A bit more for dry storage,
which we found sort of surprising. We're on the "dry" side (hasn't
been too dry lately) between Nadi and Lautoka.
Sounds like you've been here?

Mike

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 20, 2:15*pm, cruisin wrote:

*We're on the "dry" side (hasn't
been too dry lately) between Nadi and Lautoka.
Sounds like you've been here?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yup I got to spend three months there in the late 70s. Spent most my
time in a small vil called Vatukarasa. its a few miles east of
Singatoka. sorta between Nadi and Suva. Not much there then but a dirt
road and about a dozen burre. But the underwater was unbelivable.
Govenment was a bit dicy then ;)
Im gearing up to take my Freya down there in a couple years.
Humm, $400 FD per month ?? guess paradise has been discoverd :(

Thanks for the reply,
Chris

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...
On May 19, 12:04 am, (Jonathan Ganz) wrote:
In article
,
wrote:
cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,

stuff deleted

Yeah Mike/Barb... nice hearing from you!

Thanks Mon, hope I didn't disrupt the off topic stuff that seems to
dominate the group too much!
You guys had a major heat wave lately diidn't ya.
Say, do you ever do any business with Swendsens Marine? Those boys
have been dropping the ball big time as far as getting me a windlass
part, and won't communicate with me as to what's going on. Kinda
frustrating being all the way over here and powerless to make anything
happen. They make West Marine customer service look good!
Mike


Sure did... just got back from Alaska to find it's been in the 90s... I
suppose that's better than the 30s. LOL


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 20, 7:44*pm, Bob wrote:
On May 20, 2:15*pm, cruisin wrote:

*We're on the "dry" side (hasn't
been too dry lately) between Nadi and Lautoka.
Sounds like you've been here?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yup I got to spend three months there in the late 70s. Spent most my
time in a small vil called Vatukarasa. its a few miles east of
Singatoka. sorta between Nadi and Suva. Not much there then but a dirt
road and about a dozen burre. But the underwater was unbelivable.
Govenment was a bit dicy then ;)
Im gearing up to take my Freya down there in a couple years.
Humm, $400 FD per month ?? guess paradise has been discoverd :(

Thanks for the reply,
Chris

Oh yeah, there are lots of boats here, but even more stay away due to
the unstable local situation. Especially Aussies since their High
Comissioner (like consul) has had his life threatened twice recently,
and an Aussie yacht was attacked and robbed by thugs a few weeks ago.
They were tied up at a remote wharf near Suva, though, an area to be
avoided of late. They said they had over 8K stolen! Can you imagine
being naieve (dumb) enough to carry that much cash aboard?
Anyway, back to boat chores for me.

Mike

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 20, 7:44*pm, Bob wrote:
On May 20, 2:15*pm, cruisin wrote:

*We're on the "dry" side (hasn't
been too dry lately) between Nadi and Lautoka.
Sounds like you've been here?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yup I got to spend three months there in the late 70s. Spent most my
time in a small vil called Vatukarasa. its a few miles east of
Singatoka. sorta between Nadi and Suva. Not much there then but a dirt
road and about a dozen burre. But the underwater was unbelivable.
Govenment was a bit dicy then ;)
Im gearing up to take my Freya down there in a couple years.
Humm, $400 FD per month ?? guess paradise has been discoverd :(

Thanks for the reply,
Chris

Oh yeah, almost forgot, the monthly rate here at Vuda is about $390FD,
translates to $261USD, really pretty cheap when you break it down to
less than $10/day for free water, WiFi, close store and laundry, etc.
Lots cheaper than many marinas in Mexico!

Mike

Back on de boat-after a 6 mos hard on
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...
Greetings from Fiji,
big snip


They must sell some really strong Viagra over there . . .

But I'm concerned about ladysailor. Take it easy on her, huh. ;-)

--
Gregory Hall

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 19, 1:42 pm, cruisin wrote:
On May 18, 6:05 pm, wrote:



cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,
A quick, slightly longwinded, note to report what happens to a boat
left alone with her keel in a hole for too long...not pretty.............
... The reality of things was kind of shocking, though, and I doubt I'll
ever leave our girl alone like that again. Bottom line is what we've
always known- the worst thing you can do to a boat is not use her for
too long.

Yep, gremlins invade boats that are left too long... it sounds like
you all had some bad ones, but made a speedy recovery. Glad to hear
everything worked out.

Just a suggestion: it may be cost-effective to replace the electrolyte
in your batteries. Batteries that are left flat invariably suffer loss
of capacity. It may be a relatively easy & cheap way chase out a few
electrical gremlins.

Putting the keel in a hole for dry storage may be common in the
tropics... that's the way boats are kept in much of the eastern
Caribbean. Harder to work on the bottom, easier to work on everything
else!

It's good to hear from you!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Yeah, except in this part of the world I think they're called
menehunes, polynesian cousins of the gremlins. I always like it when
they decide to fix something they've screwed up- it actually does
happen sometimes when you leave them a plate of coconut cookies at
night.
All we're waiting for now is a small, lightweight, brave soul to
ascend the mizzen mast to r/r the windgen blades, and a very laidback
NoCal vendor to ship a new contactor for the windlass.
So how does one replace electrolyte in batteries? Gotta get the old
stuff out somehow and find an all night electrolyte store for a few
quarts of new juice? I might try equalizing them first, something
I've never had very good luck doing.
Yes, it was kind of handy to have the boat set down low for getting on
and off, and polishing the hull. Also didn't have that scary feeling
of about to tip over like when she's on stands.
Any of the rest of the old regulars ever check in here anymore? I
mean besides WilNeal? Barb and I had an 11 hour layover in Auckland
and thought about looking up your old pal the Navigator as we drove by
the university, but couldn't remember his real name. Who knows if he
even teaches there anymore.
We're still hoping to take a trip south when we get to Queensland and
see if we can't find Tadpole. We're looking forward to winetasting
our way there.

If you get as far south as Tasmania, I'm still here. May not be in
another 12 months tho.

PDW

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 22, 9:57*pm, Peter wrote:
On May 19, 1:42 pm, cruisin wrote:

.

If you get as far south as Tasmania, I'm still here. May not be in
another 12 months tho.

PDW- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey Peter, a blast from the past! Yes, as long as we're in the under
part of downunder we'll undoubtably want to check out Tasmania. Gotta
see a Tasmanian Devil in his native habitat! Probably won't have the
boat with us, but will try to look you up for sure. Any good winerys
in Taz?

Cheers,

Mike and Barbara

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 24, 5:57 pm, cruisin wrote:
On May 22, 9:57 pm, Peter wrote:

On May 19, 1:42 pm, cruisin wrote:

.

If you get as far south as Tasmania, I'm still here. May not be in
another 12 months tho.

PDW- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey Peter, a blast from the past! Yes, as long as we're in the under
part of downunder we'll undoubtably want to check out Tasmania. Gotta
see a Tasmanian Devil in his native habitat! Probably won't have the
boat with us, but will try to look you up for sure. Any good winerys
in Taz?

Lots of boutique wineries that specialise in the cool climate
varietals. One is right across the road from my place.

As for wildlife, you could look on my front lawn any evening and see
wallabies, pademelons, bandicoots and a few other creatures. Grey
kangaroos are around too. Taz devils are getting scarce in the wild
but there's a park down the Arthur Peninsula with plenty, and the Port
Arthur ruins are a must-see.

Best time of year, climate-wise, is probably Feb thru April. December
& Jan can be hot & sunny or windy & rainy but by Feb it's usually
warm, calm and dry.

My hotmail address gets to me eventually, when I remember to check it.
If you do bring the boat there's good anchorage out the front of my
place and I have a mooring there for a 42' Gazelle, tho it's in fairly
shallow water. Colvin designs don't draw much.

PDW

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 27, 10:45*pm, Peter wrote:
On May 24, 5:57 pm, cruisin wrote:





On May 22, 9:57 pm, Peter wrote:

On May 19, 1:42 pm, cruisin wrote:

.

If you get as far south as Tasmania, I'm still here. May not be in
another 12 months tho.

PDW- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey Peter, a blast from the past! *Yes, as long as we're in the under
part of downunder we'll undoubtably want to check out Tasmania. *Gotta
see a Tasmanian Devil in his native habitat! *Probably won't have the
boat with us, but will try to look you up for sure. *Any good winerys
in Taz?

Lots of boutique wineries that specialise in the cool climate
varietals. One is right across the road from my place.

As for wildlife, you could look on my front lawn any evening and see
wallabies, pademelons, bandicoots and a few other creatures. Grey
kangaroos are around too. Taz devils are getting scarce in the wild
but there's a park down the Arthur Peninsula with plenty, and the Port
Arthur ruins are a must-see.

Best time of year, climate-wise, is probably Feb thru April. December
& Jan can be hot & sunny or windy & rainy but by Feb it's usually
warm, calm and dry.

My hotmail address gets to me eventually, when I remember to check it.
If you do bring the boat there's good anchorage out the front of my
place and I have a mooring there for a 42' Gazelle, tho it's in fairly
shallow water. Colvin designs don't draw much.

PDW- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks, Peter, for the kind offer. Maybe we'll enter Arabella in the
Sydney-Hobart and sail down! Do they have a "Furniture Class"? We
could get the trophy for slowest elapsed time no doubt.
One way or another, we will get down that way, I'm sure. We're
planning to spend at least 6 months to a year checking out Australia
and hopefully selling the boat in the meanwhile. Can't afford the
commuter-cruiser lifestyle anymore.

Mike and Barb

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...


Thanks, Peter, for the kind offer. Maybe we'll enter Arabella in the
Sydney-Hobart and sail down! Do they have a "Furniture Class"? We
could get the trophy for slowest elapsed time no doubt.
One way or another, we will get down that way, I'm sure. We're
planning to spend at least 6 months to a year checking out Australia
and hopefully selling the boat in the meanwhile. Can't afford the
commuter-cruiser lifestyle anymore.

S'matter Mike? Did the old lady abscond with the contents of your bank
account like she did her former boyfriend's? If not now, sooner or later,
just don't make her mad. Remember you are now and forever her slave or else.
Keep this in mind as she gets bigger, older, lazier and crabbier. So she's
making you sell your boat and give up cruising? It figures. I tried to warn
you about that woman but you wouldn't listen. I tried to tell you she was
trouble but she managed to pull the wool over your eyes.

Wilbur Hubbard

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On Jun 1, 5:19*pm, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
"cruisin" wrote in message

...

snip
I tried to warn
you about that woman but you wouldn't listen. I tried to tell you she was
trouble but she managed to pull the wool over your eyes.

Wilbur Hubbard

Yeah sure Wilneal, we all know you really just wanted her to join you
in your purple-upholstered passion pit of a v-berth!

Mike the Bunyip-hunter

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...

Yeah sure Wilneal, we all know you really just wanted her to join you
in your purple-upholstered passion pit of a v-berth!

Oh come now! If you're talking about the v-berth in Captain Neal's, world
famous, blue water, Coronado 27, surely you jest. There is no way in Hell
Ladysailor could fit in that small space. Besides, the Good Captain would
only want her to stay in the galley where old women belong provided she's a
good cook and dishwasher. For the v-berth the upper age limit is 30 years
old and the height limit is 5'2" and the weight limit is 110 pounds.seems
like I remember him telling me something along those lines.


Wilbur Hubbard
Allied Seawind 32, "Sea Isle"

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On Jun 3, 8:34*am, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:
"cruisin" wrote in message

...

Yeah sure Wilneal, we all know you really just wanted her to join you
in your purple-upholstered passion pit of a v-berth!

Oh come now! If you're talking about the v-berth in Captain Neal's, world
famous, blue water, Coronado 27, surely you jest. There is no way in Hell
Ladysailor could fit in that small space. Besides, the Good Captain would
only want her to stay in the galley where old women belong provided she's a
good cook and dishwasher. For the v-berth the upper age limit is 30 years
old and the height limit is 5'2" and the weight limit is 110 pounds.seems
like I remember him telling me something along those lines.

Wilbur Hubbard
Allied Seawind 32, "Sea Isle"

Right-o Willie, keep up the good work and remember, reality is what
you think it is!

Your best pal and fellow Mariner,

Mike

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

On May 16, 7:24*pm, cruisin wrote:
Greetings from Fiji,
A quick, slightly longwinded, note to report what happens to a boat
left alone with her keel in a hole for too long...not pretty.
We expected the mold to be growing on almost every surface since we
knew there would be very few nice days for our boat-minder to air her
out, and had already been informed that the solar charge controller
had gone kaput so the batteries would be flat and the fans not
operating. *Since the engine couldn't be started we kind of expected
some probems there too.
The reality of things was kind of shocking, though, and I doubt I'll
ever leave our girl alone like that again. *Bottom line is what we've
always known- the worst thing you can do to a boat is not use her for
too long.
Getting her cleaned up really wasn't too hard; just wipe everything
down with bleach and you're good to go. *Luckily all four golf cart
batteries were tough enough to come back since they cost about $500
each here to replace, and the new solar charge controller we brought
back was a cinch to install. *Most of the pumps and motors still
worked, which was cool, but the bilge pump float switch had given up
the ghost- no prob there, had a spare. *Then came splash day.
The short trip from the travel lift to the tie-up spot would have been
comical if it weren't so stressfull on poor Ladysailor. * There really
wasn't a practical way to test the engine before we hit the water
besides a quick crank, or at least that's what I thought, so there we
were, hanging in the straps, cranking the old Isuzu, running down to
bleed some more fuel, trying again, etc. with a very patient lift
operator wishing we'd hurry up and just s**t or get off the pot. *We
could have gotten a tow to our berth, but no, gotta get this beast
going I'm thinking. *Finally with a cloud of smoke she sputters to
life, whoopee, happy time now, she's smoothed out and purring like a
kitten. *Ha ha.
Transmission seems to work OK, something I actually had tried in
advance, so off we go for the 200 yard voyage across the little lagoon
that is the marina here. *"Why's all that smoke coming out of the
cabin?" shrieks Ladysailor as we pull away from the launching area.
"Oh, nothing too major," I answer after a quick look, "just a belt
slipping a little," *as the engine alarm starts buzzing loudly. *"No
problem" says I, reaching for the kill handle that is rusted solid and
unmovable, "just put her into neutral and we'll coast in." *You
guessed it, the trans lever no longer wants to move and we're stuck in
forward, heading for a really hard sea wall. *All was well once we did
a quick donut and I somehow was able to budge the kill lever on the
engine enough to shut her down, but I think we both grew a few new
grey hairs that afternoon. *Turns out the alternator was rusted solid
and the belt that also spins the water pump just melted down going
over the stationary pulley.
Amazingly enough, almost everything seems fixed now, after going
through a can of WD-40 and Tri-Flow, and we may actually get out
cruising in a week or two, or at least do a sea trial. *Here's a link
to Fijian-style boat storagehttp://www.sailinglinks.com/IMG_1709.JPG
Seaya,
Mike and Barb
s/y Arabella, a Swift 40www.sailinglinks.com

Here is the edited version of this post as it was printed in Latitude
38 magazine June addition, Changes in Latitudes section. I submitted
it via their e-mail when I posted it here. Anyway, I'm just curious
to hear what you think about the edit: Here are my thoughts:

1. Was it clearer? Yeah maybe.
2. Shorter? Yeah I guess.
3. Better grammar and less wild use of punctuation? Oh probably.
4. More fun to read? I don't know, maybe...what do you think?


Arabella — Swift 40
Mike and Barb Fulmer {misspelled my name, no prob}
Six Months On The Hard In Fiji
(Channel Islands)

What happens to a boat that gets left alone on the hard for too long?
It's not pretty.

Having left our boat in Fiji, with her keel set in a hole to reduce
the chance she'd get blown over by a tropical cyclone, we expected to
return to find mold growing on almost every surface. That's because we
knew there would be very few nice days for our boat-minder to air her
out, and we'd already been informed that the controller for our solar
panels had gone kaput, meaning the batteries would be flat and
therefore the fans wouldn't work. Since the engine couldn't be
started, we expected there would be some problems there, too.

Even though we expected such things, the reality was so shocking that
we doubt we'll ever leave our girl alone like that again. The bottom
line is what we've always known: the worst thing you can do to a boat
is not use her for a long time.

Getting Arabella cleaned up wasn't really too hard. We just wiped
everything down with bleach, and she was good to go. And luckily our
four golf cart batteries were tough enough to be brought back, because
replacing them would have run about $500 each down here. The new
controller for the solar panels was a cinch to install, too.

Most of the pumps and various motors still ran, which was good, but
the bilge pump float switch had given up the ghost, But we had a
spare, so no problem there. Then came splash day. The short trip from
the Travel-Lift to the berth would have been comical if it weren't so
stressful on poor Barb. There really wasn't a practical way to test
the engine before we hit the water besides a quick crank, or at least
that's what I thought. So there Arabella was, hanging in the straps,
with me cranking the old Isuzu, running down below to bleed some more
fuel, try to start her again, and so forth. All the while the very
patient lift operator was wishing we'd hurry up and either **** or get
off the pot.

It's true, we could have gotten a tow to our berth, but no, I thought
to myself, I've gotta get this beast going. Finally there was a cloud
of smoke and she sputtered to life. Whoopee! Happy times now that she
smoothed out and purred like a kitten.

The transmission, which I tried before we went into the water, seemed
to be fine, so off we went on the 200-yard voyage across the little
lagoon that is the marina here.

"Why is all that smoke coming out of the cabin?" Barb suddenly
shrieked as we pulled away from the launching area.

"It's nothing major," I replied, having taken a quick look and seen
that the belt was slipping a little. Just then the engine alarm
started buzzing loudly.

"That's not a problem either," I said while reaching for the kill
switch, which had become rusted solid and unmovable, "put her in
neutral and we'll coast in."

But as you might have guessed, the transmission level no longer wanted
to move, so we were stuck in forward, unable to take the engine out of
gear or shut her down. And we were headed right for the sea wall.

Fortunately, we were able to do a quick 180 turn before hitting the
wall, and I was eventually able to somehow budge the kill switch
enough to shut the engine down. After further investigation, I
discovered why the engine alarm had gone on: the alternator had rusted
solid, and the belt that turns the water pump had melted down on the
pulley.

Amazingly enough, after going through an entire can of WD-40 and Tri-
Flow, everything seems to be running well again, and we may actually
get out of here in a week or do. Nonetheless, I think both Barb and I
grew a few new gray hairs that afternoon.

— mike 05/15/08

Back on de boat-after 6 mos on the hard
 

"cruisin" wrote in message
...

It's better and good reading but I can improve it for you somewhat gratis:
Mostly I've used more varied and descriptive verbs, corrected some grammar
problems and tried to make it more personal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


What happens to a sailboat in storage on the hard for a long time?
More than one might expect and it's not a pretty sight.

Having left our boat in Fiji, with her keel set in a hole in the ground to
reduce
the chance she'd get blown over by tropical cyclone winds, we expected to
return to find mold growing on almost every surface. That's because we
knew there would be very few nice days for our boat-minder to air her
out. Also, we'd previously been informed that the charge controller for
our photovoltaics had gone kaput, meaning the batteries would be flat and
the fans not working. Since the engine couldn't be started, we expected
there would be some problems there, as well.

Even though we expected such things, the reality was so shocking that
we doubt we'll ever leave our girl alone like that again. The bottom
line is what we've always known: the worst thing you can do to a boat
is to not use her for a long time.

Getting Arabella cleaned up wasn't really too hard - just a good deal of
elbow grease. We wiped everything down with bleach, and she was good
to go. And, fortunately, our four golf cart batteries were tough enough to
be brought back, because replacing them here in Fiji would have set us
back about $500 for each one. The new controller for the solar panels was
a cinch to install. Most of the pumps and sundry motors were operational,
which was a relief, but the bilge pump float switch had given up the ghost.
We installed a spare, so no problem there.

Then came splash day. The short trip from the Travel-Lift to the berth
would have been comical if it weren't so stressful on poor Barb. There
really
wasn't a practical way to test the engine before we hit the water other than
a quick crank, or at least that's what I thought. So there Arabella was,
hanging
in the straps, with me cranking the old Isuzu, running below to bleed fuel,
trying
to start her again, and so forth. All the while, the very patient lift
operator was
wishing we'd hurry up and either poop or get off the pot.

It's true, we could have gotten a tow to our berth, but no, I thought
to myself, I've gotta get this beast going. Finally there was a cloud
of smoke and she sputtered to life. Whoopee! Happy times now that she
smoothed out and purred like a kitten.

The transmission, which I tried before we went into the water, seemed
to be fine, so off we went on the 200-yard voyage across the little
lagoon that is the marina here.

"What's all that smoke coming out of the cabin," Barb suddenly
shrieked as we motored away from the launching area.

"It's nothing major," I demurred, having taken a quick look and
seeing that the alternator belt was slipping a little. Just then the
engine alarm commenced buzzing raucously.

"That's not a problem either," I mumbled while reaching for the kill
switch, which had rusted solid and was unmovable, "I'll put her in
neutral and we'll coast in."

But, as you might have guessed, the shift lever picked that moment to stop
moving, so we were stuck in forward, unable to take the engine out of
gear and could not shut her down. Besides that, we were closing rapidly on
the sea wall!

Fortunately, we were able to do a quick 180 degree turn before striking the
wall, and I was eventually able to budge the kill switch enough to shut the
engine down. After further investigation, I discovered why the engine alarm
had sounded: the alternator drive shaft had rusted solid, and the belt that
also
turns the water pump had melted down on the pulley.

Amazingly enough, after going through an entire can of WD-40 and Tri-
Flow, everything seems to be running well again, and we may actually
get out of here in a week or so. Nonetheless, I think both Barb and I
acquired several new gray hairs that afternoon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Wilbur Hubbard