8/27 – 9/2
Hi All,
Yes….we survived it all and looked good doing it:)))) We are home now in HOT California, next to the vineyard. But, it is hot…..100-114*F for the next week….where are we, in Arizona??:))))
The last week on Mystic was pretty much work…yuck….at least for me….Kathy got caught up on her emails for a few days before launching into laundry, vacuuming, cleaning heads et al. John-boy worked hard the full 6 days and it does seem to get physically harder each year…ugh!!!
So what did you do John-boy that took so much time….well, a day cleaning the dinghy…..wash, degrease, apply 303 conditioner, clean all lines, flush outboard. Then wash the boat….yeppa, another day….lots of mildew and fish stuff to get off…ugh!!! Then 2 days in the ER….getting 8 different oil and coolant samples, cleaning, flushing all 3 engines, checking zincs, checking the water in keel….still getting more out…this time 66 ounces…ouch!!! Of course, it took a day to pack….brought back close to 35 pounds of salmon and crab….and still have 1/3 left in the freezer:)))
Probably what took most of the time was rebedding the port bow deck drain. Yep, did my first attempt a week prior at anchor but no joy….still leaking. So, this time took off ceiling panels in forward stateroom port locker so could get to the drain and hose. But, as much as I tried I could not get the hose off the drain pipe….I could have cut the hose and respliced but I was able to lever the drain up maybe 1/2-1″ above the deck which was enough space to scrape out the old caulking and apply a lot of new caulking!!! Once caulked I had to drill out two broken screws and reset. And, it got ~26 hours to setup before more rain came and, drum roll please, when we left it was not leaking….yea…but geez, what a job!!!
We also had Diver Dave clean the bottom….bottom paint still looking good, some barnacles on Yanmar shaft and Cummins hub…but all came off easily as the Prop Speed is till in decent shape. But, Dave did find the port boat zinc loose….so I had to clear out some of the lazarette and wiggle under the rudder post table and secure the nut while Dave dove and tightened the outside nut!!!
We also had Skookum Canvas reseal several spots where the Bimini roof started to leak. They used Aqua Seal and again, when we left the half dozen leaking spots were all secure…yea!!!
Ok….now to the Stats…just the facts ma’am:
– 135 days cruising days; Arrived on 4/6, left 0n 9/2 minus 15 days back to home late June
– 1755nm traveled
– 258 main engine hours
– 335 GEN hours; more GEN hours than engine….I guess from anchoring quite a bit, especially that last 5 weeks with no marinas around Chichagof and to all the rain/clouds from mid-June on yielding a lot less solar power…ugh!!
– 30 Yanmar hours: all from trolling for salmon:)))
– 95 nights at anchor (63%), 55 nights at a marina (37%)
– 2,554 gals of fuel used
– $13,043 spent on fuel; avg price was $4.74/gal, price ranged from $4.49 – 5.72/gal
– Hit anything: nope:))))…..well, maybe a log or 2!!
– Liquor Consumed: really….don’t ask, don’t tell:))
– 1 country….all USA
– Worst Wind & Seas: outside Chichagof Island; 6-8′ beam seas, short period…ugh
– Most traumatic Moment: being surrounded by ice at anchor at Appleton and Red Bluff in April….hate that crunching sound!!!
Critter Stats:
Salmon: 25
Dungeness Crab: 49
Spotted Prawns: 280
Bears: 143
Whales: 60
Otters: 440
Mountain Goats: 20+
Alaska Husky Sled Dogs: 60+ at Michelle and Ed’s Yukon ranch
The Plan: First a bit more play….attend John’s 50th high school reunion in Overland Park, KS in mid-Sept. Then knee and shoulder surgeries in Sept/Oct….let the rehab games begin!!!!
Hope all is well!!
John
Mystic Moon
taking a long fall/winter nap in Sitka Alaska!!
PS: Pictures on the website:
https://www.mysticmoonvoyages.com/photo-gallery/nggallery/main-album/circumnavigating-chichagof-island
Otter Eating a clam…..look at all that rain
Otter still eating a another clam
Otter opening and eating a clam; hear the rain off Mystic
Sleeping Humpback whale in Patterson Bay
Dall’s Porpoises playing off Mystic’s bow in Peril Strait