Out with the Old
In with the New
The last few days had seen us baling out a couple of bucketfuls of water from the engine bilge each day. Tasting proved it was not salt water so the problem was not serious, and must be from the fresh water system, somewhere in the stern area. The huge cockpit locker was emptied (no small task) for access to the pump and calorifier (hot water tank heated by recirculated engine cooling water). A telltale hiss told of a pinhole leak in the calorifier, which was traced on removal of some of the outer insulation. Due to age, the old unit was obviously beyond patching up and had to be replaced. A very helpful marine engineer was soon aboard and managed to source a modern replacement. The Skipper took out the old (vertical) unit and with great contortions managed to screw down the new (horizontal) unit, then assisted the engineer with fitting the new couplings and revised pipe layout. The water tanks were refilled, the engine run to check the heating and all declared OK. All this took place over two days of beautiful weather in Bangor, appreciated if not enjoyed as most of the time was spent down in the depths of the locker!
Just checked in to your blog. Looks like you are making good progress despite the complications. Sounds like these past two days were hard work Brian. I note the skies were blue I can’t help wondering about the language, perhaps that was the first mate’s domain.
Good luck with the rest of the trip.
Kate
Just passing through. We’re off to London tonight and return Tuesday May 10th. All well. Cheers. Barb