We set off from Nanaimo yesterday at 0600 HRS, as planned. Beautiful day, sunny, warm, not a breath of wind. Super easy crossing of the Strait of Georgia.
But... there was a nagging worry. It took 4 pushes of the starter button to start the engine. It should be one push and 'vroom'. This has happened before. The mechanics in Anacortes were supposed to check it out. They said nothing was wrong. But it should not be 4 pushes before the vroom.
So Frank called the mechanics in Anacortes. They said sounds like your solenoid or slave solenoid or maybe the starter. Sorry, we forgot to check it.
By this time we were across the Strait, not going back. Phone calls to many mechanics (too busy, don't do that kind of work) later, we found Guy (pronounced Ghee), in Powell River. Guy wanted photos of the engine room before he would agree to take on the project. Photos taken and sent. Guy says OK. Phew!
The marina in Powell River mostly serves commercial boats, but the wharfinger took pity on us, and gave us a berth.
An 'engine room' on a boat can often times be a misnomer. It is more like a crawl space with a giant machine wedged in there. When the boat is built, the mechanical stuff is mounted and then the boat is built around it. Access is best for yoga-practicing skinny children. I am attaching pictures of Guy (in the dark hole there) laying on his side with his arm stuck in some little hole, with Frank supervising.
Ok, so 24 hours later, Guy has removed the starter, taken it to the starter repair people (Vanderkemp Sales and Service who dropped whatever they were working on and promptly repaired the solenoid), picked it back up, brought it to us at the marina, and re-installed it.
One push and vroom.
Guy's Power and Marine, 604-485-5244 http://www.guyspowermarine.com/
Vanderkemp Sales and Service 604-485-9774
Tomorrow we expect to be off for Desolation Sound.
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| That's Guy down there, in the bottom of the boat |
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| Are you kidding me? |
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