2023-07-09 Heat Exchanger is dead, Surrounded by fireworks, Boat Projects

Monday morning we headed to the post office, and picked up the remaining engine parts to fix our heat exchanger.  Luck would have it, the post office employee was a sailor, and when he saw the package was "gaskets", he got quite lively talking about sailing.   Other folks in line were a bit upset, as our transaction took a bit longer than normal.

Back to boat, and installed fixed heat exchanger case, with new gaskets.  Filled with coolant, and - UH OH - leaking coolant.   Took everything back apart - and found the exchanger case still leaking.  Just too much material had corroded away, and the pitting inside must have been weakened with the heat from welding enough to spring a leak.  Can't get the welding tip inside far enough to fix, so Plan B.  Found a used one online from the Netherlands and put the order in.    We though about a new one, but they are on backorder - late August or September at earlies to get one.  

Welded up, but you can see a small puddle of coolant inside - too far to reach with welder.

Glad we have two engines.  

We had planned on moving east to see some fireworks, but that plan wasn't going to happen since we needed to now plan on getting our new engine part in Connecticut in a few days.  So we stuck around, and had a 4th of July in Port Washington.    We don't have a traditional lifestyle, but we did do a traditional meal - sort of.  Chips and dip during the day, and a big afternoon meal of hot dogs, beans and soda.

Dean's 4th of July all Americana dinner

We knew the town was not going to put on a fireworks show that night, so did not expect much, but pleasantly surprised.  The neighboring town did a show, and we could see it quite well from the anchorage.  All three yacht clubs also had small fireworks shows, and across the bay were two more shows.  That plus some of the homeowners having parties with smaller shows.   We sat on the boat and swiveled our necks for an hour watching show after show.  We were literally surrounded by fireworks.  Impossible to see them all, so we just picked the best shows, then the closest shows, then the further shows.  There was a constant rumble of exploding fireworks from around 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. without a break.  We could hear the rumble of the New York fireworks, even though we could not see them.

We were surrounded by fireworks

We had not cleaned the boat in a while, and it had the yellow stain "mustache" that we get every year when travelling north or south on the ICW, from the tannins in the water.   Dean decided it was time, and when the winds was light and the anchorage calm, he took the dink around the boat cleaning and waxing.

You can see our yellow "mustache"

Dean working on the side of the boat.

While Dean scrubbed, Kris worked on sewing new sun shades for the cockpit.  They are still not done, need some webbing to finish, and it is on order.

One last grocery trip, and we were ready to leave Port Washington.   It is a nice stop, convenient for groceries, and has a nice hardware store as well.  

Port Washington dinghy dock

We had hoped to sail up to Lloyd harbor, but it was a motor trip.  Pretty day on the sound though.

Execution Rocks Lighthouse

Tub pushing a barge, NY in background

Lighthouse in Lloyd harbor by anchorage

Next day, was a combination of motoring and sailing up to Port Jefferson.  When we see floating balloons we try to detour and pick them up.   This trip we got 2, but lost one.

Dean with his catch for the day.

Kris's catch, a very large one, might be over the legal limit

Port Jefferson is a busy harbor, but the anchorage is in a restricted speed zone, so it is not too bad.   

We took the dink into the dinghy dock, and walked up to the hardware store for some PVC pipe we will used in our cockpit shades.  Tide was quite low.

Steep ramp down to dingy dock in Setauket (town by Lloyd Harbor)

Went for a nice kayak trip, as the winds were calm.  One of the things about cruising that is interesting is seeing the change in geology, biology, and human culture as you travel.  Different vegetation, different sand and rocks, different animals, different architecture, accents, etc.

You would be hard pressed to find a rock like this near shore anywhere south of Maryland.

Nice boulder, left from last ice age (I think)

While Kris paddled away, seeing birds, turtles and rock, Dean worked on finding the latest leak in our dinghy.

Leak is located next to an already patched area

He found a leak, next to an area that we already patched, so now a larger patch is needed.   We keep hoping the dinghy will last a few more years, but it is showing its age - now 18 years old.

We will stay here today, and Monday head over to Fairfield Connecticut area, to pick up some Amazon items, and our replacement heat exchanger casing.  If this one doesn't work, then we would be up the creek without an engine for a while, so lets hope it works.

2023-07-02 Engine issues, made it to New York

Well our plan to head north and time the currents worked exceptionally well, except for the wind.   We had a pleasant motor down the Delaware Bay, and even got a little sun in.  Did not see much large boat traffic and current in our favor for almost the entire trip.

Passed by a large ship.  It is neat to see how much water is pushed by the nose bulbs of the ship.

When we got to the end of the Delaware, the winds started to come in so we decided to push on.  We got in around 8 hours of good sailing, then the wind died.   We motored offshore, and timing worked well, that we did not stop, and hit the Verrazano bridge at right before tide change.

Cool cloudy day approaching Verrazano Bridge

The clouds stayed with us, so not one of the more scenic trips through NYC that we have had.

Statue of Liberty can be seen over barge, cloudy smoky day.

Interesting how some clouds are lower than the tops of the buildings

Current was in our favor, so we motored on one engine down the East River, and noticed that our white smoke issue was back on the port engine.  Oh well, we have two engines, so switched back to only the starboard engine - so happy current in our favor.

It is always an interesting trip down the east river.  We enjoy looking at the different buildings and architecture with a different view than most people ever see.

Always take a photo of these buildings,  they are just funky and fun

Can you imagine the architect on this thinking "I know, I will turn part of it sideways"

They are building a new building inside the old Domino Sugar building, keeping the exoskeleton

Enjoy the mix of architectural styles

On irritant on the trip is the fast ferries, that really make the water choppy during parts of the trip.

Lots and lots of buildings

We get a different perspective on the bridges than the normal New Yorker

Eventually the city fades away, the trip is less scenic and more industrial looking.

Within a matter of less than a mile, the riverside property goes from expensive buildings to run down factories.

We made it into Port Washington, which is one of our normal stops, as it has a very nice grocery store, dinghy dock, hardware stores, and marine stores all within easy walk.  It is also a protected anchorage, and has a bit of boat traffic that is fun to watch as well.  

Kris still worried about the white smoke started to work on the engine the day after arrival.   Took the mixing elbow off the heat exchanger case of the engine and found some corrosion, but did not see any holes where coolant could be leaking into the exhaust.

Heat exchanger case where mixing elbow attaches. No holes apparent.

Kris decided to clean it up a bit, and took a scraper to it, and quickly found the issue, when the scraper punched through the thin cast aluminum.   At that point, it was decided the heat exchanger case needed to come out.

Case removed, and you can see the large hole now.

We called around and found a welder who could work on the case, and took an Uber ride to his shop.  It was actually a sign shop, that does signs and flagpoles, but they work in aluminum,, and it seemed the guy new what he was doing.   He cleaned the case up even more, exposing two other holes, and making the other one even larger.

Case cleaned up, and holes now fully exposed.

The welder even helped to remove the studs, and polish the finished welds flat.

Not pretty, but structurally sound, and all holes filled in.  We will polish a bit more, paint and install.

Getting the part welded only cost us $250, plus almost $100 in Uber rides, but well worth it, as it seems the part is no longer made, so a replacement is not easy.

We have to wait on new gaskets before we can re-install, so we will hang out here in Port Washington, until those come in to the local post office - care of general delivery.  Kris is really hoping that this is the cause of the white smoke, and that she can be done with engine repairs.  We will have to see.

Time to move onto another project - cleaning all the yellow stain off the hull from the trip up the ICW.

Dean working on cleaning the lower steps.

We will work on the hull when the winds are calm, and some other projects.  It has been nice, and so far have seen some fireworks almost every night since we arrived.   

06-24-2023 Lots of walking and raining now heading north

We left our mooring in Annapolis, and motored the 11 mile to Harness creek, where we have spent time before.  

Leaving the busy Annapolis harbor

Harness creek has a nice anchorage, and sits at the end of Quiet Waters Park.  There is a dock at the anchorage area where Quiet Waters Park rents kayaks and paddleboards.   It is a 1.6 mile walk, from the dock to the exit of the park, on nice wooded paved trails.

On Monday, we loaded up our laundry, and packed it out the 1.7 miles to the local Laundromat.  We did laundry, and then a short distance to McDonalds for lunch, then the 1.8 miles back from McDonalds to the boat.   

Waiting on laundry

Hot muggy day.  3.5 miles round trip.    Back on the boat Dean worked on finishing up our project to convert both heads to an option for fresh water or salt water flush.    It is nice to have both options available, as the toilet flushing uses quite a bit of our fresh water reserves.

Next day, decided to head into town, and pick up an awning track we needed from a local Yacht Canvas company who was willing to sell us one.   We had ordered some and had it shipped to Oriental when we were there, but  unfortunately during installation, one piece escaped overboard 😖   We then went to the grocery store, hardware store, and McDonalds again.- I know McDonalds two times in a row - but the weather was chilly, and it is the last spot for McDonalds for the summer.  That was a 5.5 mile round trip

Much needed break

We had a duck family visit us at the anchorage - and Kris being quite fond of ducks could not resist feeding them.

Getting used to us

They then came back twice daily for feeding, and spent some time on the stern step nesting.  Left quite a bit of poop, but Kris cleaned it off so Dean would not get too upset.

They finally did grab out of Kris's hand, and even jumped up on the step with her sitting there.  Of course, she is the duck whisperer

Next day, back to hardware store, haircuts - and got subway.  Started to rain, and walked the 1.7 miles back in the rain.  3.8 miles round trip.

Saw this little guy crossing the trail while walking in the rain

Keep in mind, all these trips were made with full backpacks and additional bags being carried by hand, so not just leisurely strolls.   Really makes you think about if what you buy, or haul is worth it sometimes.

It was now time to head north, so we left our anchorage and what was supposed to be a minimal rain day, and sailed north.  Well that only lasted 1/2 a day, when the wind died, and the rain started.  It rained so hard, visibility was only about 1/2 mile, but we stayed fairly dry, and anchored for the night in the upper Chesapeake at Bohemian River.    

Thomas Point Shoal Light, leaving Harness Creek in the Chesapeake

Next morning, a motor slog through the C&D canal with the currents in our favor, over to the Delaware Bay.   During the motor trip, we noticed the port engine exhaust was putting out white smoke.  We switched to starboard engine, and Kris went and read up on why we could have white smoke.  Many potential reason, but the only one she felt comfortable doing was  quick valve adjustment, so that is what she did, and when she was done, we restarted the engine - and no more white smoke.    Kris doesn't think the valves were that far off, so could be coincidence that it went away, we will keep an eye on it.

Valve cover off, checking things out

Bridge at Chesapeake side of C&D canal, near at Chesapeake City

Usually we stop at Chesapeake City, and walk up for some ice cream at "The Real McCoy" burger and ice cream stand, but weather always dictates our travels, and weather says to push ahead.

C&D Canal Bridge, and St. Georges Bridge

Pretty boat passing us on C&D canal.

We anchored at Reedy Island, to wait for favorable currents for moving down the Delaware.  Across the bay is the Salem nuclear power plant in New Jersey.

Not the most scenic view.  Cloudy day

This morning we head out early (5:15 a.m.) to keep currents favorable as we head down the Delaware bay, and when we reach the Atlantic, we will turn and head north, hopefully sailing only and will continue on through NY city, up the East River, and onto Port Washington.   If all goes well, the winds hold, and our timing is right for the up to 5 knot currents that can run through parts of the East River, we should have a pleasant overnight trip, and not have to stop.   If we go too slow, we may have to stop and wait a day for favorable currents before going through NY.   We will see.

2023-06-18 Derek visiting - Solomons and Annapolis

 We had two nice days sailing north on the Chesapeake with good south winds.  

Derek at the helm - its been 9 years since he was on What If, nice to have him on Charm, if only for a little while.

We stopped for the night only at Little Bay, and then sailed north again up to The Solomons.

We walked to town and had lunch, got groceries, and visited Rita's for a cool treat.  Then it was off to the Calvert Museum.  As we were going in we happened across a fellow checking on the nests of a birdhouse on museum grounds.  This birdhouse, with wood boxes, and plastic gourd nests are for the Purple Martins.   

Interesting fellow to talk with about the Purple Martins, and see the nests.

All the nests had fresh hatchlings, some still had partial open eggs, so only a day old at most, probably younger

After our bird education, we went inside the museum.  It is a really nice little museum, with a variety of displays.

Actual sized reproduction of Megaladon Shark 

Calvert museum have two otters, very fun to watch

Nice outdoor boardwalk with information on local flora and fauna

Display inside museum

Finishing up the visit, nice sunny day

Next day we again had a very nice sail up to Annapolis.  This is a working vacation for Derek, since he is able to work remotely, and has been able to keep up with work in the mornings and evenings, leaving most the afternoons open for fun stuff.  He did have to spend most of our first day in Annapolis on the computer working, so we just relaxed on board, watched the other boats, and enjoyed the sunshine.

Next day we headed to Masons, for the world famous Lobster Rolls.  Last time we ate at Masons, we were with Ed and Cathy from What If, and we were in Annapolis looking at Charm to purchase.

Very yummy

After lunch, it was of to the Annapolis Naval Academy for a walk around the campus and visit to the museum.

Impressive buildings on the campus.

I neglected to take any photos inside the museum, but you can see many online and at the Naval Academy museum website.    Lots of interesting information.  Favorites were learning about how the phrase "going to the head" came about, and what a seat of ease was, and viewing the many many model ships in the museum.

Of course after a hard day of walking and museums, you need ice cream, so stopped at the Red Bean coffeehouse and ice cream - it did not disappoint.

Enjoying a yummy treat - Red Bean Ice cream - worth a stop for sure if your in Annapolis

The next day happened to be Annapolis Juneteenth celebration with a parade, festivities, and fireworks.

We went in to see the parade with Ed and Cathy (What If).

Most all the groups were very small - liked the little guy here with the drums, almost bigger than him.

One of the largest groups was the Bald Boss Community - They are a group that "Supports men, women and children living with all forms of alopecia and help empower them to rock their BALD crown with confidence like a BOSS."

Big group of three wheelers in the parade

Interesting parade, but it was time for food again so we went off to Derek's pick of "The Big Cheese", deli.   It was an excellent pick, with some truly incredible sandwiches - another recommended spot if you are in Annapolis.

We finished the day by taking the dinghy to the end of the creek where we are moored to catch the fireworks show.

In the dink, watching the show

Very decent show - thought this was a cool photo

Derek left at 10:30, after the show, and caught an Uber up to Baltimore, as his flight was for 6:00 a.m. the next morning, and it made sense to get a hotel close to the airport for the night, versus trying to find a ride at 4:00 a.m. from Annapolis.   

We had a great visit, and sad to see him leave.    

We will move today, off the mooring, and do some laundry, and figure out our next plan.