Kwatsi Bay to Cullen Harbor: From Kwatsi Bay we continued our exploration of the Broughton Islands spending two nights in Cullen Harbor. We are the only boat in this beautiful anchorage. At the east end of Cullen Bay is a narrow passage leading to Booker Lagoon. A dinghy ride through the rapids to the inner […]
Return to Penetang
Famous Henry’s Restaurant – CLOSED! Our tour of Georgian Bay and North Channel complete, we returned to Beacon Bay Marina at Penetanguishene. Our route took us on the small craft channel. The route is very scenic, with cottages at every point of the compass. One landmark we heard many locals mention was “Henry’s”, […]
More prep for new hydraulics and bow thruster install
Here are some pics of another weekend of work getting ready
for the installation of the new bow thruster and hydraulic system upgrade. In
order to get access to weld in the 12” pipe that will become the bow thruster
tube, I had to remove some interior interferences in the forepeak. This mostly
involved cutting back the decking in a way that would allow access for the
work, but could be temporarily re-assembled so we don’t have to live with a big
hole in the deck for the next few weeks.
for the installation of the new bow thruster and hydraulic system upgrade. In
order to get access to weld in the 12” pipe that will become the bow thruster
tube, I had to remove some interior interferences in the forepeak. This mostly
involved cutting back the decking in a way that would allow access for the
work, but could be temporarily re-assembled so we don’t have to live with a big
hole in the deck for the next few weeks.
In the engine room, I installed all the hydraulic
distribution blocks and other components, including adjustable pressure and flow
controls coming off the main pressure output of the pump for the anchor winch.
This is so that the high 3000 psi pressure and 20+ gpm flow from the pump (as it
is set up for the bow thruster) doesn’t overwhelm the winch motor or any other
less demanding loads we attach to the system.
distribution blocks and other components, including adjustable pressure and flow
controls coming off the main pressure output of the pump for the anchor winch.
This is so that the high 3000 psi pressure and 20+ gpm flow from the pump (as it
is set up for the bow thruster) doesn’t overwhelm the winch motor or any other
less demanding loads we attach to the system.
The system of distribution and return blocks make for a neat
arrangement with minimum extra fittings, and lots of extra ports for future
expansion. In order to fit everything on the bulkhead (including the big cabinet housing the electronics for the hydraulic system), I had to move the fixed fire suppression bottle
over a few inches. All the mounted components and distribution blocks are attached to
the bulkhead with bolts that are threaded into the aluminum mounting plate from
the front, so they are easy to remove if needed.
arrangement with minimum extra fittings, and lots of extra ports for future
expansion. In order to fit everything on the bulkhead (including the big cabinet housing the electronics for the hydraulic system), I had to move the fixed fire suppression bottle
over a few inches. All the mounted components and distribution blocks are attached to
the bulkhead with bolts that are threaded into the aluminum mounting plate from
the front, so they are easy to remove if needed.
A few additional hose runs from the engine room to the bow
are needed for pressure, return, and case drain lines. New holes are now
drilled through the bulkheads and once painted, I will be installing JIC
hydraulic bulkhead fittings at these transitions.
are needed for pressure, return, and case drain lines. New holes are now
drilled through the bulkheads and once painted, I will be installing JIC
hydraulic bulkhead fittings at these transitions.
With all the primary pieces installed, I will be measuring
(at least twice) and making up the hoses that connect everything
together. Cleanliness is critical with hydraulic stuff, so I am doing my best to
keep everything clean and capped during the install.
(at least twice) and making up the hoses that connect everything
together. Cleanliness is critical with hydraulic stuff, so I am doing my best to
keep everything clean and capped during the install.
The only hose that does not use a crimped fitting is the
supply line from the tank to the pump inlet. This is a monster 2.5” id hose. If
they even make crimping dies in this size, we definitely do not have one in our
shop. Instead, it will be secured will dual T-clamps at each end. Since this is
a low pressure line, that should be more than enough to stay leak free. I was a
little worried about fitting up this hose because in this size, the necessary
wire reinforced construction to keep from collapsing under suction makes it
very inflexible. Fortunately, with a straight flange adapter coming off the bottom
of the pump it made a nice easy single curve down and straight back up to meet
the tank fitting. Both the supply and case drain fittings at the bottom of the
tank have ball valves that will be handy for servicing the system without draining
the tank. I like to remove the handles on any valves that are normally open and
would cause damage to equipment if accidentally closed when running, so I’m doing
that here as well.
supply line from the tank to the pump inlet. This is a monster 2.5” id hose. If
they even make crimping dies in this size, we definitely do not have one in our
shop. Instead, it will be secured will dual T-clamps at each end. Since this is
a low pressure line, that should be more than enough to stay leak free. I was a
little worried about fitting up this hose because in this size, the necessary
wire reinforced construction to keep from collapsing under suction makes it
very inflexible. Fortunately, with a straight flange adapter coming off the bottom
of the pump it made a nice easy single curve down and straight back up to meet
the tank fitting. Both the supply and case drain fittings at the bottom of the
tank have ball valves that will be handy for servicing the system without draining
the tank. I like to remove the handles on any valves that are normally open and
would cause damage to equipment if accidentally closed when running, so I’m doing
that here as well.
More prep for new hydraulics and bow thruster install
Here are some pics of another weekend of work getting ready for the installation of the new bow thruster and hydraulic system upgrade. In order to get access to weld in the 12” pipe that will become the bow thruster tube, I had to remove some interior interferences in the forepeak. This mostly involved cutting back the decking in a way that would allow access for the work, but could be temporarily re-assembled so we don’t have to live with a big hole in the deck for the next few weeks.
In the engine room, I installed all the hydraulic distribution blocks and other components, including adjustable pressure and flow controls coming off the main pressure output of the pump for the anchor winch. This is so that the high 3000 psi pressure and 20+ gpm flow from the pump (as it is set up for the bow thruster) doesn’t overwhelm the winch motor or any other less demanding loads we attach to the system.
The system of distribution and return blocks make for a neat arrangement with minimum extra fittings, and lots of extra ports for future expansion. In order to fit everything on the bulkhead (including the big cabinet housing the electronics for the hydraulic system), I had to move the fixed fire suppression bottle over a few inches. All the mounted components and distribution blocks are attached to the bulkhead with bolts that are threaded into the aluminum mounting plate from the front, so they are easy to remove if needed.
A few additional hose runs from the engine room to the bow are needed for pressure, return, and case drain lines. New holes are now drilled through the bulkheads and once painted, I will be installing JIC hydraulic bulkhead fittings at these transitions.
With all the primary pieces installed, I will be measuring (at least twice) and making up the hoses that connect everything together. Cleanliness is critical with hydraulic stuff, so I am doing my best to keep everything clean and capped during the install.
The only hose that does not use a crimped fitting is the supply line from the tank to the pump inlet. This is a monster 2.5” id hose. If they even make crimping dies in this size, we definitely do not have one in our shop. Instead, it will be secured will dual T-clamps at each end. Since this is a low pressure line, that should be more than enough to stay leak free. I was a little worried about fitting up this hose because in this size, the necessary wire reinforced construction to keep from collapsing under suction makes it very inflexible. Fortunately, with a straight flange adapter coming off the bottom of the pump it made a nice easy single curve down and straight back up to meet the tank fitting. Both the supply and case drain fittings at the bottom of the tank have ball valves that will be handy for servicing the system without draining the tank. I like to remove the handles on any valves that are normally open and would cause damage to equipment if accidentally closed when running, so I’m doing that here as well.
Home Stretch
We are currently in Port McNeill, near the NE corner of Vancouver Island, and about 300 miles (as the boat floats) from our winter home in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island. While we still expect to be cruising for another 3 weeks, it definitely feels like the home stretch.
We left Ketchikan with expectations of the usual improvement in the weather as we crossed into BC. At first, our wishes came true and we had some very warm weather (with accompanying strong NW winds). Eventually though, we ran into persistent cloudy and showery weather. It appears as though the blocking high that gave Puget Sound its dry and hot weather shifted south slightly and left the BC coast to make-do with the SE Alaskan weather we’ve experienced this summer.
From here we’ll make one more pass through the Broughtons before heading down Johnstone Strait. We’re targeting crossing back into US waters after Labor Day and being back in Eagle Harbor the middle of September.
Revisit Echo Bay
Point au Bareil Heading southeast along the small craft route took us a more scenic route. The scenery is quite stunning, and the trip was very pleasant in spite of lots of twists and turns around lots of rock! The chart is well-marked, and the channels are well-bouyed. Not always the case; early […]
Flip side- The Bustards
The Bustards Covered Portage in our wake, we headed for Killarney. Since we’ll be covering a lot of the same area, we planned (loosely- we rarely do an itinerary, per se) on our route west to skip over some areas by taking a more direct route, and planned to visit those areas on […]
Waiting for Hurricane Harvey
Rockport HarborWe drove back to Texas Wednesday night and Thursday so we could check on our house and the Texas Pearl, and be close for any clean up we might need to do. Our son prepared our properties better than we could have ourselves and we’re bles…
J Boats – An Awesome Sight To See
It is blowing a steady 20, gusting higher. There is a sea state commensurate with the breeze, and the boats …Read More
Covered Portage
Covered Portage bay Covered Portage is an anchorage that was recommended by locals we met in Penetang as a place to put on our “visit” list. The anchorage is a bay with a dog leg opening that the guide books and the reviews on ActiveCaptain describe entering the cut exercising caution and a […]
