Boom Tent (Winter Cover)

Finally got the cover on Carina this weekend. I tried doing it two (2) weeks ago, only to find out the cover I ordered from Fairclough didn't fit (10" too short mast to topping lift). I called Fairclough and they sent me the necessary paperwork to ship it back to them via UPS (no cost to me). It seems the boom length on Carina is not standard on the Catalina 36 MKII according to Fairclough. They made the necessary modifications, sent it back to me and voila, it fits.

Now she (Carina) is set to rest the winter with an occasional checkup by me. While I much would have preferred the cover fit right the first time, I must say Fairclough was very helpful in getting the situation resolved to my satisfaction with only minimal delay to me.

Winterization Complete

I finished winterizing the engine and AC/Heat system. While doing the freshwater system, I couldn't get the water pump to pick up the prime to run the antifreeze through the system. I opened all faucets and left run for for a while, but was concerned about burning the pump up.

So I now have to troubleshoot and find out what the problem is.

• Took the inlet line off manifold to determine if fluid was getting there, found it to be air locked, for lack of a better way to put it, I "sucked" on the line until I was getting a steady stream of antifreeze through it. Re-installed, but still no luck.
• Next step was to take the line loose from the pump and check to make sure the antifreeze was getting to there (it was).
• What next to check, the pump of course. Took the cover off where the screen filter is and discovered it was packed with a crystal like substance. Once I took out, hosed off and reinstalled, it worked just fine. Lesson learned, check & celan periodically.

All is well, the only thing left to do is put the cover on for her long winter rest.

That Time Of The Year

Well, the cool weather is here and soon to get colder. I started the process of getting Carina ready for her winter rest. We're leaving her in the water this year at Georgetown Yacht Basin.

I went down today (Saturday 11/1) and

• changed the oil,
• added fuel stabilizer and biocide to the fuel,
• drained and bypassed the hot water heater,
• added non toxic antifreeze (pink stuff) to the water tanks

Will be going back down on Sunday to winterize the engine and A/C.

AC/Heat Repair

Went down to the boat on Sept. 13 with plans to spend the night. It was an unseasonably warm weekend with temperatures into the mid 90's. While there we discovered the AC breaker was popped. Reset but to no avail, as soon as the unit would go on, it would lock up. After checking, discovered there was no water going through the unit.

I started with the easy stuff first, took raw water strainer apart, cleaned and replaced the strainer cartridge (it needed). Still no water moving through the system. I then took the water pump off and bench tested, it worked just fine. I then re-installed and checked power to the pump, there was none. It appeared the relay was not energizing the posts for the pump.

As the relay is part of the circuit board, it is not replaceable, had to buy a new circuit panel (contacted mfg. to see if I was on the right track). Found a new panel at Ocean Options in Annapolis, picked up on the 18th.

When down to the boat on the 20th to install the circuit panel, was able to put on without too much difficulty. Now the moment of truth, is water going to flow through the system once I turn on? YES, success the AC is once again working.

Good thing it was working, we spent the night and had to use the heat side of the system in the morning as the temperature got down int the high 40's over night.

While I wasn't happy that it broke and I had to repair, I did feel good in the fact that I was able to troubleshoot and repair myself, saved a bunch of money by not having to pay labor for someone else to fix (I'm free).

Post TS Hanna

Went down to the boat on Friday to ensure Carina was prepared to ride out Hanna with no issues. Took down all canvas, ran some extra lines and added some additional wraps to the furling head sail. Checked today and all was fine with absolutely no problems.

The storm brought less problems than anticipated, but in situations like this, better safe than sorry.

Happy Birthday Ed

Goodbye my dear friend, you will be sorely missed by me and many others.



Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. (Gandhi)

This is how Ed lived his life. Sadly tomorrow came for him. He left on the day he arrived 63 years later. The world is now a little more empty for it, as am I.

Independence Day @ Georgetwon, MD

We spent the holiday weekend on the boat and got to watch a very nice fireworks display over the Sassafras River. There was some doubt they would go off due to the weather, but they went and were worth the wait.

LD is not a fan of loud explosions (thunder, fireworks, etc.) and hid out in the cabin crouched tightly in the vee berth even though we gave him some over the counter anxiety stuff (I think it helped some, but not totally).

Earlier in the day, there was a boat parade on the river with maybe a dozen or so boats parcipating. We were positioned across from the judges station.
The Look of love! I took this picture while we were out cruising for the day. Looks like they needed to find a quiet spot to complete their amorous activity. After a short period of time, they disengaged and flew away. Ahh to be young and passionate with no worries.

While this was a holiday weekend, some had to work and not everyone had the luxury to take time off to celebrate. Here are but a couple:

Moving Day

Today was moving day. we moved Carina from Lankford Bay Marina on the Chester River to Georgetown Yacht Basin on the Sassafras River.

We went down on Friday, and finished off spring prep. (put sails and all canvas on, commissioned freshwater system, etc.). Departed Lankford @ 08:20, arrived Georgetown @ 16:30. All in all it was a great day; temperatures in the mid 70s, winds were a little on the lite side until we neared Georgetown, then they picked up to 15 - 20 kts.

Here a few pictures of some of our new neighbors.

Lastly, here's Carina resting in her new home;