Author: Glen

Grand Adventure Update

The last few months certainly have been a Grand Adventure. Lots of changes, updates and maintenance to the boat. Here is a quick list of some of them:

  1. New anchor installed.
  2. Anchor windlass repaired. New solenoid installed.
  3. Varnish removed from much of the brightwork. Will finish the rest next Spring.
  4. Old varnish removed from the teak on the cabin and flybridge. Teak has been sanded and resealed/stained.
  5. New paint on the cabin and flybridge.
  6. New decals installed.
  7. Old hydraulic steering pumps removed, and new pumps installed.
  8. New toilet in the forward head.
  9. Fixed the vacuum problems with the holding tank.
  10. New macerator pump installed for holding tank.
  11. New sump for the aft cabin shower.
  12. Freed up all through hulls.
  13. Installed new teak sealant where water pools on the aft port-side walkway
  14. Working our way through other potential leak areas.
  15. Replacing old inflatable dingy with a Livingston dingy on davits.
  16. Honda outboard made operational.
  17. Work on stern thruster.
  18. Replaced all fuel filters. This seems to have fixed the problem with getting air in the fuel lines. Engine running smoothly and reliably.
  19. Updated DC electrical schematic.
  20. New diesel heater ordered. Should be installed by mid-October.
  21. In the process of trying to repair leaks in old inflatable in order to sell it.
  22. All safety items to meet Transport Canada requirements have been dealt with.
  23. About to finish installation of new step and railing to help members and guests move safely on/off the flybridge.
  24. All canvas cleaned and re-installed.
  25. New foam mattress for rear-cabin bed has been purchased. Hopefully installed this week.

Currently, the boat is good to take out for at least day trips in areas where you have good local knowledge as the depth sounder at the lower helm and the chart plotter at the upper helm are not working properly at this time. We have identified a small leak in the propane stove which we will address shortly. BBQ works but in need of a good cleaning. After a good cleaning of the interior, we will put basic pots, pans, dishes, etc. on the boat.

Please remember that our insurance requires that, even if you are highly qualified, you still need to be formally approved by the Board as a “club-qualified skipper” before you can take the boat away from the dock. Please contact Doug, Cam, or me, if you wish to set up a time to become familiar with the various systems on Grand Adventure.

-Mike

Updates following our most recent Board Meeting, Monday Aug 08

Hi Warmlanders!

I’ve sent all of you this message by email but I forgot that Glen (Web Guy) created this ability to add it to “What’s New?” on the website. If there’s anything you think would be of interest to the membership to post here, please let me know and we can do that!

I hope this finds you all well. A few updates following our meeting.

Welcome to Ian Curtin who is our newest Sailing Division member! WELCOME IAN 🙂

Congratulations to Dimitri Safine and Teymur Akhundov on becoming Qualified Club Skippers in the SD (I’m a little jealous but very happy for them). CONGRATULATIONS DIMITRI & TEYMUR!!

Bruce and Lorna are hosting a house concert at their home in Maple Bay on August 17. Please see attached flyer and email Lorna to see if there are still tickets available. I had the pleasure of going to their “Starbutus” house concert last year and the music, venue and hospitality were all amazing!

WLSA has a seventh board position available. At present Mike Hill, David Redd and Glen Smith are all dual, PD & SD members. Doug Johnson and Cam MacRae are PD members and I’m in the SD. We would like another member from the Sailing Division to join us. Please email or call me if you are at all interested. You don’t necessarily need to be local, just willing to lend your ideas and some time in our continuing efforts to maintain and improve the organization.

Sincerely,

Debra

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Chartplotter for Blue Belle

Blue Belle now has a Garmin chartplotter. It’s not new but it works well. The chartplotter does not, however, have a depth sounder.

The chartplotter mounts on a bracket at the top of the steering pedestel. It needs to be removed and stored in the cabin when not in use as the steering wheel cover does not fit over it.

The chartplotter is currently stored in a brown plastic bag in the storage area (sliding plexiglass door)

below the VHF radio. There is a user manual in the bag.

After the chartplotter has been mounted using the two thumb knob screws there are two cables that need to be attached. The gray/white cable (gps antenna) with metal connector is easy – twist clockwise on/counter-clockwise off.

The black cable is also clockwise on/counter-clockwise off but is a bit more fiddly and requires some practice to get the feel of twisting the connector on and off. Be careful, the connector is plastic and too much force could damage the connector or the chartplotter.

To use the chartplotter the “big red” main 12V power switch must be on (normally “2” for house battery). The chartplotter uses the same circuit as the VHF radio so the switch labelled “Radio” must

be in the “On” position.

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Kitkatla shifter cable repairs and ongoing transmission oil leak

To all Sailing Skippers,

Some important information for you to be aware of regarding recent repairs to Kitkatla’s shifter cable and ongoing rear seal transmission leak.

SHIFTER CABLE The shifter cable on Kitkatla has been replaced and this has changed how the shifter “feels”. You will notice that the shift lever moves easily into F, R, and N. The location of Neutral is now with the lever in the vertical position. Forward and Reverse now have “hard stops”. Once the shift lever hits stop respectively for F and R, it is important that skippers do not put additional pressure on the shift lever as that has the potential to change the shift lever position for each gear. No need to “strong arm” the lever anymore – as soon as it hits the stop, let go of the lever. TRANSMISSION LEAK The oil level in the transmission was down as the rear seal is leaking. It has been topped up. Please check the oil level each day before using the boat. See attached photos which show the transmission casing with yellow bolt (7/8 socket). The dipstick is connected to the underside of the bolt and you can see the fill line right near the end of the dipstick. It only holds a small amount of oil – do not overfill. Use the 30W Oil in one litre container in the plastic tub in the starboard lazarette. There is a funnel in the same tub. . We will need to get a mechanic out to change the rear seal soon. Please Do Not use the marine diesel oil in 4 litre container – this is for use in the engine only. Also, do not overtighten the bolt when screwing back on. MISC. The unused fuel return line from the engine had a split in it with the result that small amounts of unburnt fuel was going into the bilge. The hose has been repaired and the bilge has been cleaned. Many thanks to the members who responded so effectively to these repairs: Mike Copley, Mike Hill, Doug Johnson, Glen Smith, David Redd and also Doug’s son, Bruce Johnson. Your skills and work save us a lot of time and money. Happy and Safe Sailing everyone! Debra

Nanaimo Power & Sail Squadron presentation on “Dodd Narrows, False Narrows & Pirate’s Cove”

I joined an online presentation by the Nanaimo Power & Sail Squadron presentation on June 28, 2021. The topics were “Dodd Narrows, False Narrows & Pirate’s Cove”.

Videos from the presentation are now available on Youtube”

https://nanaimo-power-sail.online/Dodd-Narrows-Playlist You can also access the YouTube channel at the link below. https://nanaimo-power-sail.online/YouTube

– Glen

Värmland – 3D Printed Sailboat

WLSA members might find this article interesting, especially because of the name of of the place these boats are being built – Värmland, Sweden.

Göran Brandt, entrepreneur and sailing enthusiast, has, uses 3D technology to print a 7.5 meter long part for a brand new type of sailing boat. Something that can revolutionize the boat industry.

“There are many good suppliers here and it is great fun that we can do everything on site in Värmland”, says Göran Brandt.

Link to original article:

Swedish 3D technology can revolutionize the boat industry