October 2018 – Page 3 – Sailing Banjo

Perkins 4.236 Engine Repair: Water in Oil

12,October, 201814,June, 2019 Sailor

Background A few weeks ago before Hurricane Florence hit New Bern, we had a problem starting our Perkins 4.236 Engine. The starter would barely turn over and then stop. I’m learning, but I am not a good engine guy yet, but I am slowly learning how to do some basic Perkins 4.236 Engine Repair myself. We had a friend look at it and they noticed that we had more oil on the dipstick than usual. A LOT more. A couple of people looked at it and the proposal was given…

Our Boat Refrigeration Problem: Part 1

09,October, 201812,October, 2018 Sailor

We have a dilemma. Since we have been on the hook, we have found that we seem to have ample electrical power, except when it comes to refrigeration. For the past few weeks, we have avoided putting our battery energy into refrigeration. Banjo came to us with a SeaFrost DC5000 12V Refrigeration System. The system consists of two cold pates; one for the freezer compartment and one for our double refrigerator compartment. However, the compressor for the system draws 40 amps. That’s right, true believers, we said FORTY amps. Also,…

Banjo’s Thirsty Thursday

08,October, 201808,October, 2018 Shannon

Thirsty Thursday Last Thursday was a “Thirsty Thursday” kind of day aboard Banjo. I suppose Thirsty Thursday can take many forms. This Thirsty Thursday’s line up was a bath, about 100 gallons of water, wine AND champagne. Bath Time We started out the day with a bath for Banjo. Since we knew we were planning on filling the water tank Shawn jumped in the dink and gave Banjo girl a much-needed bath. So fresh, so clean, so happy! 100 Gallons of Water Although Banjo was a fresh, clean, and happy…

Lazy Dogs

08,October, 2018 Sailor

It does our hearts good to see our girls so relaxed and comfortable aboard Banjo. Lately we find that Sagira is a little nervous moving from the dinghy to shore. And Venus is not a fan of being below decks while we are moving the boat. We expect both of those to get better over time. Otherwise, they both seem to love being at anchor as much as we do.

Tropical Storm Michael, just in time for Halloween

08,October, 201807,November, 2018 Sailor

We aren’t out of the woods quite yet. It’s time to hunker down again. Tropical Storm Michael is anticipated to be a Category 2 Hurricane, as of this writing, when it comes ashore in the Florida panhandle. NHC is indicating the potential for tropical storm force winds for New Bern, NC. Below are the NHC graphics from Mon, 08Oct2018 at 09:30 EST. Hurricane-Force Wind Speed Probabilities 50-Knot (58 mph) Wind Speed Probabilities Tropical-Storm-Force Wind Speed Probabilities Earliest Reasonable Arrival Time of Tropical-Storm-Force Winds Most likely arrival time of Tropical-Storm-Force Winds…

Early Morning Nature: Orion Looking Down Upon Us

08,October, 201807,November, 2018 Sailor

Awoke at 04:30, stepped into the cockpit, and lifted my eyes. The cove is glass-smooth and the winds becalmed. Nature all around, allowing us to observe this moment and experience with minimal filtration: peaceful, still and quiet. Above, countless glints of starlight speckle the darkness. An infinity there, this sky has witnessed our entire history. Orion is hovering directly above Banjo, slightly to starboard. I have missed you old friend. Of late, the friction within our species seems to be intensifying and accelerating. In all directions, people seem convinced of…