It's been an interesting summer. It's been a good summer. We just haven't gone sailing. We have done a lot of driving. While waiting for engine repairs, rather than just sitting in the boatyard, Susan and I left Buffalo and drove through Quebec. Ten days later we returned to Buffalo, where it was obvious that the boatyard was nowhere near finished with their work. So, we drove the eight and one-half hours back to our cottage in Michigan, where we spent five weeks. Then, we drove back to Buffalo, paid our bill, stocked Reliant with fresh food, and went out for a trial run. Ninety minutes later we were back at the dock. A defective casting in the new exhaust system fractured from the vibration, spewing water throughout the engine compartment. Because the air intake for the diesel sits immediately adjacent to the exhaust line, water was inhaled into the engine. More engine work (no charge!). Susan and I considered a two week cruise along the north shore of Lake Erie. However, by this time, August 9, the season was advanced, and the weather in Buffalo was relentlessly awful (Governor Patterson declared a state of emergency.). We had an opportunity to spend a week in Michigan with Matt and Emily upon their return from a summer in Panama. So, we drove back to the cottage. Now we're home.
The final tally: This summer we've driven almost 6,000 miles, motored 40 miles in Relaint, and never once hoisted our sails. So much for the best laid plans!
The engine: Part of the fault was mine. I never inspected the inside of the fuel tank for accumulated debris. I knew I should, but it always looked like a really big, nasty, and expensive job. And so it was! Part of the fault was the boatyard that installed the diesel five years ago. Basically, there was a considerable excess of exhaust hose snaking around the engine compartment. (The installation always looked a bit strange to me, but I didn't know enough to question it. And, until this summer, it never gave us any trouble.) All that excess hose was filled with an excess of water. When the fuel line was partially blocked, the engine didn't have the power to push all that water out through the exhaust port. This created a back-pressure in the exhaust system that forced water back into the engine. The good folks in Buffalo have tried to explain to me the mechanism behind all this, but my simple mind can't quite figure it out. I do know that this summer we almost lost a $25,000 diesel engine - twice!
The fuel tank: The 30 gallon fuel tank in Reliant is located in a very tight corner under a locker in the left back corner of the cockpit. The boatyard in Buffalo removed the fuel tank (a tough job) cut a hole in the top, vacuumed out a surprising amount of debris, bolted a removeable access plate over the hole, and reinstalled the tank. Then they cut a hole in the floor of the cockpit locker directly over the tank (a tricky piece of measuring) and installed an access plate over that hole. (Lots of labor-hours.)
All's well that ends well. In fact, Reliant is a much better boat, a safer boat, than she was three months ago. But it cost us a ton of money and a season of sailing.
The moral of the story is: For those of you out there with older boats, CLEAN YOUR FUEL TANKS!!!
Quebec: For those of you who haven't been there, the province of Quebec is beautiful. The Atlantic coast of Quebec is spectacular. The highway along the south shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is one of the most interesting we've ever driven. Much of it is just feet above the high tide mark. Quebec isn't just a French-ish part of Canada. Quebec is French! The people look French, dress French, their mannerisms are French, and they speak French, many of them exclusively. The architecture is French. Catholic churches are everywhere. The Basilica of St. Anne in Three Rivers is the most beautiful structure I've ever seen.
Quebec City: The historic section of Quebec City, perched high on a bluff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, is every bit as picturesque as you can imagine. We only spent an hour walking it's streets, because that's all the change we could scrape together for the parking meter. We'd love to return there. It looks like a wonderful place to spend at least a weekend.
Our cottage: Our cottage is in a community called Hazelhurst on the south west corner of Lake Michigan. Our family has been there since 1959. Susan and I spent 5 weeks there this summer. I haven't spent that much time in Hazelhurst since late high school or early junior college. I'd forgotten how nice it is. We swam, walked, kayaked, and sailed the Hobie Cat. More than that, I renewed friendships that have lain idle for almost 40 years. It was great.
The future: I don't know. This summer was a major setback on multiple levels. Susan and I will obviously talk a great deal about what's next with Reliant. Stay tuned.
