We have a 35 item checklist that we follow each morning before we depart. The checklist ensures that we only depart once everything is ready. For example, we check the engine oil level, transmission fluid level, engine coolant level, ensure that the bilges are dry, etc.
This morning, as I checked to ensure that the bilges were dry, I found a loose bolt and nut under the engine. We looked around, but could not figure out where they had come from. The bolt was under the back of the engine, near the alternators, and it had a light coating of what appeared to be alternator belt dust on it. We texted Kevin Cullen, who had installed our engine, and included a picture of the bolt and nut. He texted back, saying that it appeared to be the bolt holding the Balmar alternator. Armed with that information, Mary checked, and found the location where the bolt should have been. She reinstalled the bolt and nut. She added a lock washer and thread locker fluid to ensure the bolt and nut stayed in place.
We departed Nanaimo a little after 11:00 bound for Comox. The weather was again ideal. The air was warm and we had gentle breezes.
The toilet had developed a leak. As Mary piloted the boat to Comox, I began rebuilding the head. I had a toilet rebuild kit that included all of the needed parts. As you can imagine, rebuilding the head is not the most pleasant job on a boat, but having a properly functioning head is essential. I spent the next four hours taking the head apart, cleaning all of the component parts, and installing the rebuild kit. The head now seems to be working like new. It was a dirty job but it is satisfying to have the toilet working properly again.
Because we got such a late start, we knew we would arrive in Comox after the marina there had closed. At 4:45 PM we telephoned the marina to make a reservation for the night. They told us where to tie up for the night and provided us the four digit codes to gain access to the toilets and showers on shore. We arrived at the marina at about 7:45 PM.
Mary went to the local market to get Loonie coins. A Loonie coin is worth one Canadian dollar. Most marinas here in Canada charge for showers. For example, here at Comex, a Loonie coin purchases a two and a half minute shower. We also use Luny coins to do laundry at the marina.
We plan to depart early tomorrow. We hope to make it through Seymour Narrow by mid afternoon. We are taking advantage of the fair weather and light breezes to get north as quickly as possible. Our goal is to get to Haida Gwaii.
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