Activities over the past month (or so) –
Replaced the outboard’s kill switch. For the past year it has taken wiggling, pushing and pulling to stop the motor. I’d put off the repair as difficult stopping is, IMO, better than being unable to start!
Honda doesn’t make it easy or cheap to replace the switch. After some looking I found a switch assembly that didn’t break the bank. The wiring runs through the throttle arm into the motor housing through many twists, turns and zip ties to a junction. To remove the old and run the new wire requires taking apart the entire throttle arm, removing two mounting brackets and purchasing replacement zip ties with custom mounts.
I decided to splice into the current (old) wires in the throttle arm. After double sealing the splice in shrinkwrap the new kill switch works perfectly.
Every few days I take exploratory dinghy paddle thru the marina and the bay of Port Ludlow. While on one of the first paddles back in June I noticed the resident Bristol Channel Cutter (BCC) was for sale. This classic Lyle Hess design obviously caught my eye.
This 1982 BCC was finished by Channel Cutter Yachts in B.C. Canada after being purchased as a kit from Sam Moorse. A fair number of BCCs were finished by CCY – though because of some issues about lack of payment to Lyle they are referenced as being ‘knock offs’ even though the hull, deck and main blulkheads were manufactured and installed by Sam Moorse.
She has multiple things making her unique: teak decks, no cockpit combings, custom interior that is nice looking but no seaberths as the settee is 5’5″ long!, two 1/4-berths, small galley, larger navigation station, diesel stove (not propane/alcohol), no running lights(!), a Sabb 10hp inboard(!), and many more oddities.
The boat is listed at a very high price for her condition and odd setup. I must admit my eye wonders as taking $20K off the price she is a marginal good deal. She requires $50K minimum to be put back to speck. I know I’d be able to do much of it but the first big bill would be replacing the motor, $15K+, headsails are shot in addition to being on continuous line furlers(!),$8K, the galley stove, etc.
She is an example of a dream that requires a lot of money and effort. The seller, believed to be the second owner, wanted to cross oceans and age and health changed the plan.
KOTURA hadn’t left the dock since I returned to SWALLOW in June. Three weeks ago she left her slip for a couple of days and returned with a cleaned, though not painted and leaving barnacles at the bottom of the rudder and aft end of the keel’s shoe. Was she hauled for inspection and is on offer? The broker still has her listed for sale.
Yes, my eye wonders … I should know better.
Last couple of weeks there have been cold nights and cool days. Two weeks ago put a second blanket on the berth and Momma now sleeps under the covers.
NOAA released their winter forecast and the PNW to be, on average, cooler and have more snow.
Being at a dock I have a small portable electric heater going to take the edge off the morning and evening chill. Worse case can light the woodstove … though I don’t know if that would be frowned upon by the marina.
I have been keeping three to four weeks of food aboard. This means less time in a grocery store and other public spaces. Less fresh vegetables are eaten and relying on canned goods after the produce is gone about 10 days after a shopping trip.
Besides the above been reading a lot – which I enjoy. Momma Kiddy wants in my lap constantly. I also enjoy her attentions.
At some point will need to make a plan for the winter. With COVID getting worse unsure what family is thinking for the holidays – I’m not motivated to road trip in the truck camper during a pandemic.
S/V Swallow 