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Two Fish - Boat Repair



This one is for those of our readers who prefer boat fix-it adventures rather than sunsets and hikes.

DST (Depth, Speed via paddle wheel, and Sea temp transducer)

Shortly before our departure from Mogo Mogo to Isla Contadora, I noticed that the chart plotter was not showing depth data. I consulted the emergency protocol with anything running Windows. The protocol instructed me to reboot. This had fixed this problem a few days earlier but was not the cure this morning. After a bit of messing about, we weighed anchor since Two Fish has a back-up depth sounding device, a fish finder. The network that transmits data throughout Two Fish is mostly NMEA 2000. Each device can contribute data (PGN's) and/or listen to data. The fish finder is not on the NMEA network so the depth data was only appearing on the chart plotter. A quick click and the chartplotter was told to publish the depth data and the whole boat system knew our depth. But the primary depth sounder and paddle wheel log still needed to be fixed. Once in our new anchorage we called Furuno for advice before prying parts open. I wanted to open up the top of the transducer but Gail slowed me down. The delay was worth it, as Furuno told us the top is weather-sealed. Instead, they instructed us to check the junction box. This box accepts data from various NMEA-speaking devices such as the wind instruments, GPS antenna, and many others. So many others that the junction box is crowded. On closer examination, Gail discoverd a couple of wires were touching, possibly creating a short and preventing the DST from working properly. Problem fixed for the short run, but in the long run we should clean up the wiring in the junction box to make it bulletproof. We also learned that the cable from the DST has a connecting point near the port water heater. This mightcome in handy in the future, if we need to swap out the unit.

Dyneema Soft Shackle Replaces Mantus for attaching bridle to anchor

The boat came with a Wichard hook to attach the bridle to the anchor. The Wichard's pin is very easy to bend and a bent pin in the closed position can create some annoyance when weighing anchor. Early on we tossed the Wichard in the waste bin. Instead we have been using the bullet proof Mantus chain hook. The Mantus' lack of moving parts and solid construction reduces concerns that this would be a point of failure. The shortcoming of the hook is that it requires that I (Jason) must come forward and hang over the water to attach it to and remove it from the chain. This concerns me if I had to weigh anchor quickly at night in big seas. The soft shackle can exit and enter the boat with the chain and does not require any bow ballet moves. Some argue that it also pulls on the chain in a more natural position and thus gives a higher breaking strength for the system. Early days but we like it so far. Thanks to Mike and Rebecca for bringing this along for testing and for constructing it themselves.

Water pump spinning like mad

The water pump was pumping furiously without any intention of stopping. Moment for head scratching. Kristal, our sister ship, had a similar problem. He diagnosed the problem as a bad water pump. He planned to do a pump rebuild but lacked the kit. However, in the interim he realized his problem was only a loose pipe, causing air to enter the system. So using another man's hard-earned lesson we checked the system for air leaks. The issue only occurred when drawing from the port tank. I announced how smart we were for narrowing down the problem. It must be a poor fitting between the tank and the pump. Starting at the tank, I reset the hose into the quick connect fitting. Then Gail climbed into the battery locker and other remote parts of the boat looking for leaky connections. Finally Mike and Rebecca swapped out a half-inch isolator valve on 15 mm pipe for the correct 15mm part. I thought that this could be the air leak. We then turned the system on and I was ready to celebrate our victory, but the pumping kept sprinting along. Gail then asked a question: "Is the tank empty?". I requested a mallet and a soft touch to the water tank sensor caused the gauge to drop from full to empty. Next time I will remember the fundamental rule, start with the easiest fix first.

SSB DSC

What an alphabet sandwich for a section heading? It reminds me of some work acronyms. In this case, it refers to our long range radio's ability to place a call to another long range radio. The SSB radio is misunderstood and ignored by most of our cruising friends. Gail has tried to learn a bit about the operation. We now can send email via SSB and tune in a particular station. Recently, Kristal installed a DSC (distress call) antenna for us. Kind of shocked me that the SSB needs a second antenna. We initially tried to call each other using this feature but failed. But Gail tried again with another sailboat, Zoom. She figured out that you have to hold down the call key for 2 seconds at the final step and voila another mystery solved.


Diving for Barnacles

Galapagos immigration is very harsh if you have marine life attached to your hull. If you fail the marine inspection you are sent away from the harbor to an area 50 miles offshore. There you will await hull cleaning. This would be uncomfortable and very annoying. I have worked very hard to avoid this outcome. I have spent over 4 hours diving a freshly painted hull to remove anything from the animal kingdom. My focus has been barnacles which led to much research about their lonely life. They only travel for their first ten days and thereafter are attached head first to Two Fish's hull. Is that why they are born without a heart?
While cleaning the hull, I was stung many times by some type of jelly fish. The red welts have not retreated yet. I was also swept away by a current exceeding two knots. At one point I had my legs wrapped around the rudder as if riding a pony. I was upside down trying to clean the dynaplate (a ground for the SSB radio). I also received a few hulls to the head as the waves moved the boat. To add to the fun, visibility in Las Perlas is about 2 feet since the water is very green. I did not lose a limb, and now we have a good chance for a clean bill of health for our Galapagos entry.

Anchor Lights

Near sunset a game broke out of which boat would turn their anchor light on last. The game had a slightly judgmental tone since the goal was to choose the boat who might forget to turn it on at all. As the sun was about to dip under the horizon we realized that Two Fish's anchor light was not turned on. Next time we will spend less time captaining other boats and try to manage ours better.

Hash

We have enjoyed hashing (running club) in several countries. Now we can add Panama to the list as the rlly led a hash run on Las Perlas Islands. I was thankful to have such a great way to start the day.

Jason
www.twofishcat.com


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