This is the sleeping Captain, returned from the dead [of sleep], now at 0715 on B.Day 5!

As the boss said, the lengthy effort written yesterday disappeared, so here is a summary. It was a busy day; definitely fatiguing. While waiting for the mechanics to arrive, finished almost everything required before departing: installed both cameras [on stern to see what I'm going to hit when docking; and fwd under sunshade to record what I might be about to hit]; reorganized the flybridge/sun deck lockers (the extra lines, bike stuff, etc); checked both the anchor and bow lockers [the former is via the head of our bed - you might imagine what the Admiral said when I crawled across the newly made bed]; adjusted the swim platform ladder, to stop it rattling ; completed my inventory update/review.

The mechanics arrived and showed me the problem is two failed relays: the 'clicking' is the electric fuel pump but the relay [allows a smaller circuit to trigger a much stronger voltage in another one] wasn't being completed and when he 'slapped' them it jolted the contacts and presto, the genset started! An easy fix!!! He will get 2 replacements , hopefully today, the 18th.

They worked on the hydraulic engine system: they admitted they didn't have a lot of experience with it, but had read the on-line manual; and have loads more experience about bleeding systems. Lot of black particulate crud in the port side, similar to the starboard side last summer; also, lots of air, which didn't make sense since we have not lost any hydraulic fluid or pressure from the system; concluded the air was bypassing the bleed screw under the bleed hose; therefore, the air was a false positive event. That was my suggestion and it seemed logical and unanimous.

They fixed a new 'catch' in the port throttle as it approached idle; the catch occurred because it wasn't achieving a full range of movement related to the cable linkage placement, so they reset the linkage.

Picked his brain [certified Cummins mechanics on contract to Horizon] about oil in the air channel between the aftercooler and the turbocharger, and he says that is 'normal', because the oil comes from the PCC/Positive CrankCase Ventilation and is supposed to be burned off but unless one is running a hotter engine [i.e. higher speeds, which we aren't], it won't be burned. I can now relax.

As reported on Sunday, the local rental Toyota RAV4 was falling apart and so he gave me his own, an aging Caddy 4 door landau top [see photo], to use until we leave. Haven't been in one in years; rides a bit like an overstuffed but comfortable recliner!

Now 17:00/5pm.

Took the caddy to the ACE hardware store for essentials [coolant, replace a broken 3/8" socket driver, WD40, Lithium grease, garbage bags, gloves, etc]; great store to wander through.

Now, it's time for a scotch and a few chips. Tomorrow, will clean the door tracks and apply the lithium grease as suggested.

Photos: one of the crud from the portside hydraulic engine that we bled; sunrise from our boat; one of Doc's Aweigh and looper friends boat, Here's To Us.

Planning: Have been watching the three primary wx sites I use [all are NOAA based], particularly two that use computerized prediction models, and the wx looks great for us to leave here Friday for Oswego, 74 mi. to the southeast shore of L.Ontario. Wave height predictions are, so far, 0-1ft westerly; which are wind driven and winds are predicted to be 7-10mph from the West.

Called Oswego and reserved a space [stayed there last fall]; also reserved Sat. & Sun. at Rochester Port Marina, 53mi, west of Oswego. Although we are trying to avoid weekend travel, it's early enough in the boating season and the S.shore of L.Ontario is rather open, so we should not have any crazy weekend boater issues!

From the Desk of the Admiral:

Rob pretty much covered yesterday's activities. I did make some muffins in the morning. But they were not a total success. I forgot how hot this oven is, especially on the bottom, so they got a little too brown! Truthfully, the bottoms were kinda burned. Also need new baking powder. Oh well. But they taste much better than they look.😁 [capt.note - they taste great!] I mostly stayed out of the way while mechanics were here. I was needed to move the throttles occasionally so not totally useless. Ha!

Pretty low key day today. Washing sheets. The fun is trying to wrestle the fitted sheet back on. An ordeal! I have to pull the mattress towards the foot of the bed and then hope everything stays in place when I push it back.

An update on our rental car. We are keeping the big! Cadillac until we leave. The rental guy couldn't come up with a replacement for us. They don't make cars that big anymore. And its not a convertible, it has a landau top.😜 [capt.note - I initially reported to the Admiral that it is a convertible - didn't look close enough!]

Well, to carry on with questionable cooking skills, tonight I put together a chicken casserole, oven preheating, remembered to remove all the baking pans including several foil pans with plastic covers stored in the oven (almost forgot that once), then forgot to put the casserole in the oven!! It was hidden in the oven clutter. Dinner will be later. Hopefully, that is all for today.

Comments:

Ernie R - 19 May 2021 Rob, I think the caddy is a great match for you! A hammer is a must on board tool for lazy solenoids and quirky relays. Am so glad the mechanics pointed out to you that you need to be running faster to burn the PCC oil!

Robert & Margaret - 19 May 2021 I yield to your experience. We will be able to exercise the diesels better on the Great Lakes -- won't have a NWZ [no wake zone] to contend with and can be deliriously excited at 12 mph -- so they should be in great shape by the time we start down the Illinois. :)