Preparations for Departure

After the shakedown trip to Saint Michael’s, we assembled a short to-do list and started our final preparations. On the way back from Saint Michael’s, we identified a leak from the engine exhaust hose where it exited the stern. The old hose had dry rot and needed replacement. We also picked up a small vibration indicating the need for another engine realignment. This was not surprising as we had hauled and launched the boat since the last realignment and after the first 25 hours of engine run time - once the engine and mounts settled in their new position - it was something that we knew we had to do. Lastly, we had install the fluxgate compass to enable the radar image to be superimposed on the chartplotter.

We had also developed a wish list, things that we hoped we could accomplish if time permitted. We wanted to reduce the size of the refrigerator (to save energy) from 3.8 cubic feet (108 liters) to a little over 2 cubic feet (56 liters) and to install new solars panels on the soft top of the cockpit enclosure (to generate more energy).

Fridge before

Fridge After

Solar Panel Array 

Fore to Aft (hardtop, soft top and aft rail panels) - Total 276 Watts

Final preparations before departure included laundry, shopping for refrigerated items, and moving onboard.

We were able to accomplish everything on the to-do and wish lists in one week after returning from Saint Michael’s and we planned for a Tuesday morning departure. 

Monday afternoon at about 5 pm (14 hours prior to the scheduled departure) I was doing a boat inspection and opened the cockpit locker to look at the refrigerator compressor. The battery charger, which weighed about 45 pounds ( ~20 kg), had ripped itself from the hull and wedged itself an inch from our brand new refrigerator compressor! This was a close call as a loose 45-pound sharp-edged metal box could do a lot of damage in rough seas.

 I spent the rest of the day removing the refrigerator compressor (to gain access) and disconnecting the battery charger and disassembling it in place in order to the get it out of the compartment. I then reinstalled the compressor. The installation of the new 110 V battery charger we had just bought the day before had just moved up to the to-do list! 

Close Call Between Battery Charger and Fridge Compressor

The next morning, we got Rosalind ready for the beginning of our voyage south and i opened the engine room to inspect the engine. To my surprise, there was a gallon of water in the engine room and after a few seconds we were horrified to see that the water was pouring out of the air filter of our new engine. I told Cheryl, “We are not going South anytime soon.” It took a little bit of troubleshooting but we were able to trace the leak to a clogged vent in the the engine exhaust vented loop (we will post a special post just on that). 

It took three days to address the issue, change the engine oil three times, conduct sea trials, and get the engine back on track. By Thursday afternoon, we were back in business and decided on a Saturday departure. After many months of exciting work and preparations we are finally ready to go! 

Thanks for following us,

Alex and Cheryl