AND by the way...

Just got word today the motor is ready to be picked up. Early ! Woohoo! We will go down tomorrow and get it. The compartment is ready for it.

On a different note, I picked up a book in Tobermory called An Interview with Paul Watson. It is without a doubt, the scariest book I have ever read. Everyone who is a boater of any sort; or who likes to swim; or eat fish; or who likes to breathe should read this book. The man started Greenpeace and when Greenpeace went big business and started helping poachers and whale hunters, he quit and formed the Sea Shepherd.

Our oceans and waterways are dying and if we don’t stop the pollution and the indiscriminate slaughter of ocean life, the planet will die... and that means us. It may not be in my lifetime or yours but your children and their children will suffer. 

As I write this, I realize that I am sitting here in the middle of the Salmon Derby where hundreds of fisherman come every year to kill fish for the opportunity to win a new boat or a whole pile of fishing stuff to replace the stuff that they already have. Thousands of plastic beer cups and bottles and cans are being generated.

 The irony is not lost on me and there isn’t much that I can do about it. However, I have resolved once more to try to make sure that whatever I have to buy comes in glass or metal...a true biodegradable container, and I will attempt to purchase clothes made only of pure cotton or linen, wool or silk. And how many clothes do we really need??

So, please read the book, and if you can’t handle reality, try The Neverending Quest. by Susan Corey, a marine biologist who has researched the fields of chemical warfare, ocean degradation and other science topics rolled into one compelling  mystery that also will scare the daylights out of you!

Aftermath

The new motor won't be ready until Thursday. That will give us time to remove the old one and get the bed ready. Then we can head up to Thunder Bay, behind Ted and the boys. When we finish up there and get back it will be mid-Sept and we will be moving down the Trent-Severn or the Erie Canal to beat the snow south.

Some pics taken in between panic sessions

A good day of motoring

A not-so-good day

A hitchiker

Heywood Island refuge

Flower pot Island

Looking thru the skylight. Am I bored?

Pushing the Goose - the little engine that DID

Sky following us the last 2 miles.

The Little Engine That DID!!

THE  LITTLE  ENGINE THAT DID!

We left Tobermory at 7:30 am. We like to leave ahead of the wind and storms so we can try to out run them!

We had a fairly flat sea and light (non-existent) winds so any breeze that we created was on our nose.  None the less we put the main up just in case. We got to Wingfield basin around 11:30 am and as we passed it we could see a couple of masts sitting in there. It was a crappy day...dull, rainy, misty and cold. We could see our breath again.

 We rounded Winfield and started south. About 4 miles below Wingfield, the motor quit. We screwed around for about 20 minutes trying to start it... no luck, so we put out more sails. The only useful wind was going to push to Killarney... not good, so after another half hour of dickering with the sails, Rick rigged up the dinghy to push us.

That little Yamaha motor (a 1983) could only do 2 knots in the rough seas, but she was steady only ran out of gas once. Thank God we had 3 jerry cans for the dinghy.  We were doing ok until dark. When we got close to Cape rocker and could see the light on the point, it was 9:30.  Just about two miles from the light, a fog bank rolled in and we lost our mark! I sat on the front deck trying to guide Rick by the stars I could sort of see above us, as he tried to keep us on course. The waves coming around the Cape were pushing us one way, the dinghy ropes were getting looser and the dinghy was changing our heading.  Finally as we hit the mark on the GPS, the light came back into view.

Normal people would have pulled into Melvin Sound before dark, but hey! We’ve done night runs before... no big deal. Right? Except the ocean isn’t black.

 It was like looking through gauze. Our running lights were so bright we felt like we were inside a Christmas tree...the red and green lights just shone back onto the deck, blinding us.

We decided to head to Little Port Elgin, 4 miles away, and our first anchoring spot when we left a month ago. The fog cleared enough to get our visual bearings again.  We managed to get another 2 miles before the fog dropped on us again.

When we got to within a mile of shore, Rick got into the dinghy and I watched our depth and direction. When I reached 20 foot mark, I flicked the lights. He cut the motor and went forward to drop the anchor. It was 12:54. Am.

We shut everything down and crashed ourselves.  Thank God Todd was already home! I don’t think either one of us could have managed his “help” for that!

THURSDAY August 21

Up and off anchor at 7:45 am. We did really well hitting the mark last night!

We tried the big motor...not going to start, so we started the dinghy and headed out.  NO wind coming out of the bay, but as we passed Colpoys Bay, the west wind finally picked up!  We can use WEST wind!!! We are going southeast...this works.

Except that as soon as we got out into the Sound, the fog dropped on us again.

We have 2 gallons of gas left in the dinghy and we need at least one of them to get into the Marina, so we are going to SAIL down the Sound! We hope.

It’s 4:30 pm and we are on the dock in Owen Sound. It took less time than we thought because we actually had wind! Of course we had to tack back and forth so we almost ran out of gas because we needed help from the motor.

So if any of you are looking for a good motor to buy for your boat...think Yamaha!!!

Some thoughts...I now know why sailors drink so much...to relieve boredom or fear!!

We do not have a sailboat... we have a trawler with a lot of extra wires and canvas in the way!

We expect to spend the weekend removing the old motor, cleaning the motor compartment (that would be me), and Monday we will go get the new one. It will take a couple of days to install and set up, and we will be ready to shove off!!! Whohoo!

Taking a road trip to TBay first to see those we missed and so I can complete my job,then heading south for the winter... finally snowbirds!

I will continue when we head out again.

Love to all those following us... stay safe! 

Pics along the way

Dodging traffic in St.Mary's River

Flowerpots Island

Rabbit guarding Gargantua entrance

Superior is beautiful

Tobermory

August 19, 2014 Tuesday?

Good thing cell phones have dates on them!

We got up this morning and Todd was packed. Think maybe he’s anxious to go home? He even hesitated when we asked if he wanted to go for breakfast in case he missed his Mom’s arrival. At 7:30???Yeah, right!!

So, after breakfast, we walked by the tourist place -Blue Heron Tours. I dropped my “business card” on the desk and told the girls selling tickets who I was and what the Waterway Guide did. Then I mentioned that one of their boats nearly swamped us coming in the day before. They both looked horrified and said they would mention it to the captain. Not a half hour later Rick got a call on his phone for me (we used his phone number) The owner - Captain wanted to tell me how sorry he was and that he would speak to the person driving the boat.

Liz came after lunch and Todd wanted to meet her at the car with all his stuff. Natasha and Quentin were less than thrilled to see us and him.

After they left, we tried to leave, heading for Wingfield Basin but the waves were head on and we could only do 3 knots. We were plowing through 2 meter

waves and it would have taken at least 6 hours to get there. It was already 4:30pm.

We got out a mile and decided to turn back. Looking east was nothing but grey rain and no horizon. When we turned we did 4.5 knots coming back! We got the same dock. We will leave first thing in the morning...as soon as we get up. If the weather is good and winds co-operate we will get into Owen Sound tomorrow night. If not, we will stop in Little Port Elgin or White Cloud Island. We may not have service but we’ll do our best to let someone know where we are.

Happy sleeps!

Omigod it’s so QUIET...no-one saying “So, Gramma... so, Grampa...”  I miss him already!

Saturday Aug.16

August 16, Saturday

We woke this morning to steady hard rain. The forecast called for it to clear by noon but as soon as the rain stopped, a heavy fog rolled in. Without the radar working (it keeps blowing fuses), we weren’t ready to try sailing for Little Current. We pulled off the dock and anchored in the bay behind the Marina. I baked soem brownies and Rick and Todd messed around outside the boat.

Todd built his solar powered boat ( a kit Rick picked up for him before we left) and ran it for awhile. Then we went to shore in the dinghy to get some groceries and butane. We met friends of friends from Thunder Bay, and some nice people from Michigan who are also live-aboards on a beautiful Nordic tug called Roxanne.

There are a lot of us! One of the boats was called “Assisted Living”, a 42 foot Endeavour Power Cat from Alabama.  The other one was called “Pour House”, a trawler. Another one was called “Home Free”, a sailboat.

The day cleared up around 4 pm but we decided to stay here for the night. The weather will be better tomorrow and we can clear Little Current bridge and park at Strawberry Island or Heywood Island and make the jump to Tobermory Monday morning. Todd is desperate to get home! He really misses everyone.

Rick called Tobermory Marine to see if there is a place there we can easily dock and remove the old motor and place the new one. We need to talk to them in the morning.  Of course the motor is giving us no trouble at all right now, (except it doesn’t want to start easily). This morning it didn’t even smoke when we started it! 

Right now Todd and Rick are rescuing part of his solar boat that got away!

The sky is on-off cloudy and the winds are from the north so we should have a good couple of days to complete the trip. Kinda sad, but it is also staggering to think that there is only 2 weeks of summer left!

So happy sails!

August 13-15

August 13- Wednesday- There is a new motor waiting for us at Yanmar in Toronto!

We spent the day working around the boat and getting stuff ready to move. We filled the fuel tank and diesels cans and Geoff brought us a gas can in case we need to push her with the dinghy....been there done that!

Chuck spent the last two days ferrying us around to get the extras we need and we have been trying to give Todd land time. He is starting to get homesick.

August 14-Thursday

We left the Soo at 10:30 am ... had to wait for the marina staff to show up to get gas for the dinghy and turn in our keys. It was a following sea and wind all day but going down the channel we couldn’t sail. There were too many ships moving and with a following sea, we had to use the motor for more control.  The winds picked up and as we turned at the bottom of St. Joe’s Island, we were crossing the waves. It got pretty rough.  We got into Milford Haven, a long protected inlet at the east side of St. Joe’s and went as far in as we could get. We spent a half hour trying to get the anchor set so we wouldn’t drift out. We passed a pretty Hans Christian on our way in anchored in the mouth of the inlet.

It was windy most of the night but the sky was clear all day and all night.

August 15 – Friday

Up early and off the anchor at 7:45... which is actually late for us.  The day was clear and the winds not too bad. That damned motor started without a problem and the oil leak that Rick patched was holding just fine! We headed out to the channel and headed east again. Of course there was a cloud of black smoke, then blue smoke for a bit as we took off.

The winds were light but behind us and we had a following sea again. By noon were already at Meldrum Bay so we decided to keep going and made it into Gore Bay by 6:45... about 60 miles.  We used almost a full tank of gas and very little oil. I always remember the line in Captain Ron...”diesels sure love their oil!” So we top it at every stop!! She ran for 10 hours today without so much as a cough! AND we used only 15litres of fuel.

BY the time we got to Gore Bay the winds were at 15-20 knots and we were surfing down the waves...not the best sailing but we got up to 10 knots at times.

Tomorrow if it is not too bad we will go to Little Current; if the weather is too bad, we will go out to the anchorage and wait it out. So talk to you tomorrow.

Happy Sails!

Next step heading south

NEXT STEP:

OK...so we’ve decided to go with the new motor. This one is probably worth fixing but if there are things we, as backyard mechanics, can’t do for it...that’s what will go on it. And we don’t have suppliers or contacts in the Caribbean.

When we get a new engine, we PROMISE it will be taken care of. I have a few brothers who might not believe that, but at this stage of life there are some lessons we have learned well. We did our best with this one ... just too late!

We are leaving the Soo in the morning and heading as far south as the wind will take us before dark. It’s a Northwest wind right now which means it will be at our backs. Hopefully we won’t have lumpy seas. Apparently Todd is more nervous of waves than he has let on, but it’s been a few days since he’s been on the boat. He’s also homesick in that he misses kids and siblings (Mom too).

 Todd and I went to the Bushplane Museum and saw some awesome planes and other machines! See pics!

Rick has finished the oil change and the servicing, as much as he can do. It started fine and still sounds the same, only loud! We are waiting for Yanmar to let us know how long for the new motor. Liz thinks we should stay OUT of Georgian Bay but I think we might risk Tobermory if we can find a space.

Geoff is coming for dinner again tonight. Last night he and Todd went to the movies and had dinner when they got back.  I expect Todd to have a meltdown tonight or tomorrow when he realizes that Dad will be staying here after we leave.

Catch y’all later. Happy sails!

IN THE SOO.. AUGSUt 12

AUGUST 12 --IN THE SOO:

SO, we are sitting here contemplating our options. The mechanic from Eagle Marine was here this morning. It must be a reputable marine place because Purvis (the tug company) recommended them.

We explained our perception of the problems. We started the engine and he said, “Ok shut it off.”  He figures either a pin or piston sleeve... not something we can do. It will require removing the engine and transport to the shop; strip down and rebuild. Not sure of the timeframe but they are swamped according to the mechanic.  Ballpark rebuild is $3500-$4500. Does this include parts at retail?? Rick can get parts at cost but will they accept this?

Here’s our dilemma: this Yanmar engine has been out of production for 13 years. Parts are accessible but we still wouldn’t have a modern engine. Rebuild warranty is one year, whether or not its run. We also need a boom truck to lift it out of here.  And we have to pay to stay in Marina...it closes Labour Day. Then we still have to get back south.

We might get it back to Georgian Bay. It seems to run (so it’s probably not a crankshaft) and we brought it up on only 1 cylinder 10 years ago. If all else fails we can get the dinghy to push it.

We can get a new Volvo / other engine $10-12000. With all the bells and whistles and a 2000 hour warranty. Much better. . But 3 weeks to delivery and where would we go to get it put in? Tobermory is closer and we would be travelling during waiting time, so two birds with one stone?? Or a new Yanmar at 25% off retail.  And we could sell this one

Any opinions would be welcome. We are still waiting to find out order time on Yanmar.  And we paid up for two more days here in Marina.

Its pouring rain and windy right now, can’t see across the river ... sort of matches our mood.

ON a lighter note, we had a visit today from a man who met us up in Gargantua. He was kayaking with his wife. He saw us when we pulled in because he keeps a pontoon boat in this Marina. He came by to see how we were doing and happened to mention that he is the RCMP officer that runs the local RCMP boat and works with the US coast guard. He also knows our RCMP friend in Sask...he used to be the officer in Fort Frances when our friend was in Kenora.  He texted Pete to tell him he was visiting us on our boat and got his phone number and email address for us.    6 degrees of separation???

Hope y’all are having better weather!

End of the Journey

DAY Whatever...Sunday  August 3..

Made Batchewana Bay by late afternoon.  We anchored at the north end of the Bay near the rver entrance and the gas station on the highway. Rick went ashore to check out the fuel and amenities. Todd went into the water... it’s a great long sand beach that runs along the Trans- Canada highway. He had a good afternoon .The water was not warm but there were a lot of swimmers there.

Just as we were getting ready to go back to the boat, a squall came through! Of course we were all wet from swimming but the boat had not been closed up properly so the chart book was wet, the hatches were open! Luckily it was short squall and we managed to get there before much damage occurred!

Lesson...DON”T leave the boat open!

We have had no wind since we got north of the Soo.  I visualized when we crossed into Superior it would be like Dorothy landed in Oz...bigger, brighter colours, larger than life shorelines...and it was! I didn’t count on there being a Wicked Witch of the West...no Wind! It’s very tedious listening to this motor run for hours at a time.

DAY  NOT SURE..Monday August 4 ...oh yeah, a holiday.

We went for breakfast at the Voyageur Cookhouse. We’ve been there before with Chuck and Marilyn but ths was Todd’s first time and it’s his new favourite restaurant. They cooked him a ham and cheese omelette bigger than he was and he couldn’t eat it all!  He had the bottom half packed up and promptly forgot it in the rush to get to the gift shop, which was closed!  Rick got more diesel an i checked out the groceries...hikers fare ut adequate.

We left Batchewana at 9:30 and headed up to Sinclair Cove...no wind...naturally! It was another tedious motor day and we arrived in Sinclair Cove at 7:30 pm. Wow, we are into Superior...you can see your breath while motoring. Socks and long pants !

DAY Tuesday august 5

Todd wanted to stay here for a day. We took the dinghy and went out around the cove to the Agawa pictographs. Rick and Todd got out to walk along the ledge. I opted to “mind” the dinghy and take pictures.  The entrance to Sinclair has a huge rock formation that looks like a dragon’s head resting on the water (or Skeksie...if you’ve seen The Dark Crystal)

We went along the outer islands and went ashore on the big rocks, Todd found tadpoles and frogs in various stages...he was happy and we got a science lesson about how they grow.  He has so much information crammed in that brain...he just can’t organize it to get it out!

We have had no luck fishing at all.  We decided that since there was nothing else to do we would head up to Gargantua Harbour. 

We left Sinclair Cove at noon and motored to Gargauntua. We were there y 3:30.  The Harbour is deep with a narrow neck  at the north end. We anchored in about 25 feet. We are now out of Whitefish Bay and into Superior proper. The water temperature is between 10-14 degrees. We cannot convince Todd to stay dry. He gets wet at every opportunity. The beach at our end is fine brown sand. There were a few campsites along it and some people watched us pull up and anchor. I got the feeling they weren’t impressed but when we went ashore they all came over to talk. It seems that these two families met here years ago and keep meeting up every year. One is from Michigan , the other from Burlington. The Burlington family has a daughter and son in Owen Sound: he teaches at St. May’s, she teaches at Notre Dame!(Mr & Mrs. Hogan?)

Three more sailboats came in this afternoon. One looked like our old Contessa, but it wasn’t. Rick and Todd went over to talk to them. He found out that Buck’s at Wawa has no fuel anymore. TSSA shut him down last year. Great!But we can get a ride to town to fuel the jerry cans, which will get us up to Marathon.

WEDNESDAY August 6

Todd wanted to stay here another day, so we did. In the morning we walked the trail (2 miles) along the beach. It changes from fine sand to cobbles.  Todd walked in the water!

He took the dinghy by himself and paddled me into shore while Rick did some work. He rowed me back when he was done. We did some math and some reading. School work is not easy to accomplish when the motor is so loud. Later he took the dinghy and rowed himself to the shore where he tried fishing... no luck. He is certainly adept at baiting his own hooks. We bought some worms at Batchewana. It’s getting tough for him with no other kids to play with. He’s too shy to talk when he does see other kids around.

There are lots of people in the park this summer. The trial had old and young people walking it. Some hikers, some just beach visitors, with babies and toddlers too.

THURSDAY  August 7

We saddled up around 7:45 and headed out for Michipicoten Harbour. We need fuel, so Wawa it is.

One mile out, something happened to the motor. It sounds like we’ve lost a piston. We headed  back into Gargantua and anchored again. (9:00 am). We looked through “Caulder”  and  Rick tried to adjust the fuell. One of the valves wasn’t working so we stripped it out and cleaned it up. Todd opened and cleaned the water pump and put it back together.  We went to change the oil filter but Rick didn’t bring any extra oil so we had to put the old oil back. We strained it as best we could.

The only solution is to head back to the Sault where we might be able to get help.  It’s  2 days back to the Sault or 5-6 days to Thunder Bay. The best decision is to go south.

We left Gargauntua around 4 pm and got into Sinclair at 8:00 pm. The engine is loud and there is definitely a knock. It starts with a puff of black smoke and ends with blue/white .  All indications point to a faulty valve or a piston problem.  Of course any help we might have gotten from the fishermen is not here now!

FRIDAY August 8, 2014

We left Sinclair at 8:30. It is a 10-hour day to Batchewana.  It would be good to have some wind! This noise is maddening. The forecast is for light winds from the southwest...great ...another day of no help from Mother Nature. Is the universe trying to tell us something?! It’s very hard but necessary to be cheerful for Todd’s sake. He is disappointed that we had to turn around but he’s anxious to see his dad again.