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Showing posts from February, 2018

Progress update

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Work underway DC Power Battery charger replacement. Sort out battery connections so that switches agree (Port, Starboard, House banks). Propulsion Port engine low compression issue being tended to by mechanic Race Turner. The cylinder head is off and diagnosis is a bent exhaust valve causing cylinder #5 compression issue. This is great news compared to the other possibilities. Exhaust valve ever so slightly bent does not seat completely. Starboard engine turbocharger to be removed shortly for rebuild.  Replace fuel fill hoses while turbochargers are out of the way. Minor crack - could last another 10 years but convenient to replace now. Fuel fill hose. Filler above, tank ahead. Shaft seals replaced. Drip-less shaft seal. Safety Remove propane tank for re-certification. Aft bilge pumps replaced and rewired. Mid ship automatic pump switch still needs replaced. Johnson pumps corroded internally to the point of splitting their cases.

Propane versus Electric stove top

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For me fixing meals is one of the most enjoyable things about cruising. There is something about reaching the destination, fixing and sitting down to a relaxing meal. As soon as we are underway my thoughts almost immediately turn to fixing that first meal at our destination. Princess 3 burner propane cooktop with microwave/convention oven below. I don't need much in my galley. On Vela Via we had a two burner propane stove and went many seasons with a single pot for all cooking. We made bread in it, breakfast, boiled water for coffee, you name it. On Caspian we'll undoubtedly have a bit more cookware but not much. We'll keep it simple. While shopping for Caspian we knew we wanted a propane cooktop. Caspian came with a propane cooktop and an 8KW genset. 8KW Onan genset - headed home for maintenance We've never had a genset so we can only imagine that running that thing will not be to our liking. We come from sailboat culture and long regarded big power boa

I Don't Know What a Shaft Seal Is

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And, that's ok! Because Tony does. He's very in-tune with all the needs the boat has in order to operate safely, efficiently and reliably. I'm so glad too. He loves that stuff and we could just sit and talk about it for hours. True, I might not understand it all, but his enthusiasm and expertise about "all things boat", is addicting. It blesses me so much how excited he gets about a project. I even like it when the project hits a snag and how his mind can troubleshoot things. Tony's amazing! Well, I get jazzed about cleaning, organizing and making Caspian into our home away from home and that's what this post is about. Last week I spent a few hours on the boat alone and was able to get some things tidied up. Before going I remember Tony saying something about ordering wiper blades, but needing more info about them. Whenever I go to the boat and Tony doesn't, there's usually something I'm taking a picture of for him or we're vid