Hello to you all. Some of you really do care and have inquired as to our well being since it has been a while since we wrote. Now you may look on this as whynging, but we look at it as wondering if anyone cares!!!
We are now back in Rebak Marina at Langkawi in Malaysia, having spent an entire month in Phuket. Unfortunately, we weren't sure we were going to be that long so we didn't sign up for the cheap monthly massage, etc. deal at the spa at the marina. Still got our share!!!!
Most of the month we spent working on the boat or arranging for others to do so. Remember, Joe was still on board and, until he fell in with a disreputable South African crowd, did a yeoman's job on the boat. Of course, I have now thrown my list out and Alzheimer's is kicking in (maybe it's mad cow like Denny Crane. I just acquired the original Star Trek series and Rose can't believe it's the same guy!!!), but things like buffing the topsides, fixing lights, changing oil (of course the sail drive that was leaking had to be changed again, as well as engine oil, etc. We even did the windlass) etc., etc. A friend here has advised me that we can fix the sail drive problem by drilling a small pressure relief hole in the oil fill cap. Seems like it is common for heat to build up pressure internally in the sail drive which then pushes oil out the seals. That's okay, but then, when it cool off, it creates a vacuum which sucks seawater in through the seals. The small hole stops this from happening--you just have to put a rag over the hole or when the pressure builds up, it will spew oil all over. I've never heard of this and am getting new seals when we haul out in December, but, should it recur, I will definitely do this as it is a pain to change the oil!! Now this is probably more than you want to know about sail drives, but I'm going to tell you anyway. On the old ones, the only way you could thoroughly change the oil was to haul the boat, which is quite expensive, and drain it from the bottom. You are instructed to do this every 150 hours which would mean 2 or 3 haulouts a year. No Way!! Too many gears to get a vacuum pump in there from the top. On the new ones, however, the geniuses have come up with a pressure system whereby you put a nipple at the very top and another where it goes through the hull, connected to hoses, and use a scuba tank to pressurize the drive and blow the oil out into the container of your choice. Joe had become quite proficient at this, but he stayed in Phuket, and it needed to be done on arrival in Langkawi. Don't want to leave salty oil in the drive. What I neglected to know was you pull the bottom plug first and screw in that nipple before opening up the top. This leaves a semi-vacuum in place for minimum spillage. The way I did it, opening the top, then the bottom allows all the oil to run quickly out and makes putting in the bottom nipple with the hose, while this is going on, almost impossible. Took a while to clean the bilge, but next time...
Our boat status was improved, but not completed in Phuket. Seems the mother board was blown on the radar, but they do not make them anymore. As a major win, the radar guy actually found an old one in the shop. Yes!!! (we believe the coincidence of the board blowing so soon after he worked on it and the fact that he charged us nothing for the diagnostics nor the board, indicate he knew he was at fault) Unfortunately, the mother board took another board with it which, again, they don't make for ancient systems like ours. Finally, we have tracked down the a replacement for about $350 which will allow us to avoid replacing the entire radar dome for $2,000. Some places, namely Ray Marine, say we can't even get a new scanner for our model while others here in Asia say complete replacements are available for the two grand. Nonetheless, as backup, we found a shorter range used system on line, including a display (another thing you can't get parts for) for cheap. Keeping it in reserve, and we'll let you know if our repairs work once we get the board.
Also, the genset wasn't pumping water. We tried everything, like changing the hoses in case there was a pinhole leak, but no dice. One of the great guys we have used there, took off the pump and basically rebuilt it for us for next to nothing. He also custom made aluminum alloy sea water strainer screens for the genset and freezer water intakes to improve flow. We poured acid down the freezer to clean all the crud out so it was working great. Unfortunately, on departure, it all came apart. The genset stopped pumping again, and the freezer pump (brand new) started leaking. Turns out the impeller was bad on the genset--an easy fix, but why? Had another pump for the freezer and not sure why that leaked, but all is well now. Had both the genset guy and the electrician on the hunt for some new batteries but so far, we're having no luck in either Thailand or Langkawi. Fortunately, we're on shore power and only need one 6 volt and one starter battery, according to the electrician, but we need to find them somewhere. That's really good news as we have 10 batteries and they are about $300 each. I was worried we needed a full complement!!
Other boat stuff--got the rigging replaced; reconditioned the jib; did canvas repairs; organized the haulout for Dec. 2, tried to fix a new water maker leak--again not critical as we're on the dock--but I can't find it. The element on one of the the hot water heaters is bad, but we can't find a replacement (110 volt) in Asia. Fortunately, I found a spare on board but haven't hooked it up yet awaiting some info, as an OEM part is $114 for a normally $10 element!!?? Organized a bunch of stuff in waterproof boxes; cleaned, resealed leaky hatches, etc. etc. etc. Also need to get a new dinghy prop and found that the spare from the old dinghy, which was supposed to fit the new engine, didn't. Researching that and hoping for some kind of adapter. Also discovered the almost new BBQ was rusting through. The old one lasted 10 plus years!!! Trying to see what "they" will do about that. Oh, also installed the new brighter LEDs we've had for some time. Awesome. Very bright and they use almost no power. I'm sure there's more, but I'm equally sure you are about asleep if not already!!!
Our social lives were pretty good in Royal Phuket Marina. We got a car for the time we were there from the faithful Mr. Morn. Same as last time. Joey rented and promptly wrecked a scooter which cost him $300 or $400. He, by the way, is in Bangkok finishing the RYA Captain's paper work (seems the guy in Oz was not RYA certified so we're duplicating here, folks) Congrats that he's passing his tests, but brickbats for leaving stuff in his room at the backpacker place. He's now short one IPod and 7,000 baht ($200). We finally went to the Big Buddha, a 40 meter statue on top of one of the hills in Phuket. We found a most excellent western style grocery, got massages, shopped, etc. All in all a good time and productive. A few days after our arrival, a sister ship pulled in from the Maldives with a permanent skipper, Dieter and two crew, all South African. This was unfortunate as we all know what these guys are like--Dieter knew the Voyage crowd--so Joe's work ethic went out the window. There will have to be some major adjustments when he finally gets employed. The plan is for him to return to Phuket and rent a place while job hunting. Wish him luck!!!
Because of the tides, we had to leave Phuket around noon meaning we could only get as far as Phi Phi, about 25 miles out. So the next day we either had to start on two short legs back the 100 miles to Langkawi, or really go for it. Would have left before sunup if we had radar but managed to get off at morning twilight. Fortunately, there was a bit of wind and we made the anchorage at Telaga (where you check in) just after dark. Checked in the next day, although we're still trying to get to the harbour master who seems to make his own hours, and took off for Rebak only about 5 miles away. Pissed rain but we got a break and made it to the slip. Same spot as last time, but they aren't sure we can stay after month end due to another reservation. I really don't want to anchor out with the water maker leaking and battery problem, but Telaga looked pretty full. Will call them next week to see if they can accommodate us. Quite the usual suspects here. Freebird arrived back from the states the day after we got in and Scot Free II from Canada just got back yesterday, but they won't get to Rebak until the end of the week.
Now I know most of you are only interested in the Rose report so I purposely left it until last so you had to read the rest of my drivel. Rose actually flew down to Penang from Phuket to see the doc (one of the reasons we stayed a full month was we couldn't get everything done in time to leave for Malaysia in time to make her appointment). The news is mixed. The doc keeps telling Rose her blood tests are showing improvement but the pain just keeps on. Fortunately, the next appointment is when we will be in Penang for the haulout, and we're hoping that things will improve by that point. Shortly after that appointment we'll leave for Phuket, and points west so we need to get the situation sorted!!!
Cheers from us both
Tim & Rose
