Engine Problems

May 9, 2016

Latitude
Longitude

Anderson Bay, Texada Island, Canada back to Nanaimo, Canada

Yesterday was eventful to say the least.  We pulled up the anchor at the enchanting Anderson Bay, Texada Island, where we saw the Aurora Borealis at 0815.  The weather out in Malaspina Strait was windy.  There were gusts up into the 30 mph range and the waves up to 6 feet. 

I was behind the helm for a couple of hours when we first left the cove and steered the boat through some of the big wind gusts and waves we had.  I’m thrilled to be able to experience the different aspects of sailing.  Each time we go out I become more comfortable and confident behind the helm.

Yesterday everyone was on their own for breakfast.  Lunch consisted of a delicious pasta salad and dinner was a cup of Clam Chowder.  We really didn’t have a lot of time for meals yesterday.

We have two additional crewmembers along who I haven’t talked about.  Wendy, the Monitor Windvane and Otto, the autopilot.  They like to give us breaks when we are sailing or motoring.  Yesterday we engaged Wendy periodically to help us tack our way up the strait.  

Sailing happy

Around 1730 (5:30pm for the landlubbers) the engine seized and stopped.  Vaughn went below and checked on a few things but determined it was beyond his skillset.  Our captain decided the best course of action was to sail back to Nanaimo.  Since we had been heading into the wind all day tacking up Malaspina Strait had taken us 9 hours to sail three-quarters of Texada Island.  We were “running” (with the wind at our back) back to Nanaimo.

Bundled up!

We arrived in Nanaimo harbor about 0215 (2:00am).  It was a bit dicey sailing through the channel separating Nanaimo and Newcastle Island.  Vaughn and Mary did an awesome job sailing and navigating.  I helped when needed by pulling in or easing lines and spotting navigational markers.  I think we did an excellent job!  We anchored the boat and thought everything was hunky dory as we each fell into our bunks.

 

Things I learned today, sailing terms, come up or head up, and falling off or bearing away.