#41 NOW April 21, 2005 0200 PDT
N10’13.8 W115’41.5 Temp 80.6, Water Temp 87.9
Wind 030 @ 15-18 kts. Seas are 7-10 feet,
Para-vanes extended, Heading 204’ magnetic
Miles Completed 875,  Miles to Go 1900,  SOG (speed over ground) 5.6 kts.

Good Morning Everyone!

Sea life has really gotten into a comfortable
routine, and believe it or not, I look forward to
my 0100-0600 watch.  Yesterday, we reached an
important milestone.  Actually, two events took
place.  One we now have less than 2000 miles to
go and more importantly we completed an oil and
filter change.

Every two hundred hours it is necessary to shut
down the main engine, so that we may change the
oil and filter.  When you shut down a perfectly
good engine 800 or so miles from land, this can
create a little consternation.  There are so many
“What ifs.”  What if the starter fails or what if
air gets into the fuel system etc...  So it is
always nice when the job is complete and the
engine purrs back to life.  In preparation for
the shutdown, I start the wing-engine and genset.
This gives us added stability and plenty of
electric power should we encounter any problems.
In addition, the oil changes were planned to be
as close to land as possible.  Our next one in
will be about 800 to 900 miles from the Marquises.

A significant hazard has developed—flying
Kamikaze fish.  One daring fellow, intent on our
destruction, came flying over the stern of the
boat, entered the back door, cruised through the
saloon, down the stairs, and ended up on the
floor next to the head (bathroom).  Every morning
we have to make the rounds picking up dead flying
fish that have met their demise during the night.

Our watermaker and I have come to an agreement.
I will not use little four letter words around it
and it will try and do better at providing us
with water.  Yesterday, I installed all new
filters, lubed “O” rings, and tighten clamps, it
responded by filling our tanks with pure clean
wonderful water.  Out here, the ocean is so clean
and clear that the filters hardly pick up
anything.

The seas are now running 7 to 10 feet.  These are
mainly large swells with some scattered
whitecaps.  These along with the wind are coming
directly from astern.  This does create some
rolling as the stern slides one-way or the other.
We have been running with the para-vanes down for
the last 36 hours, which has greatly improved the
ride.  By taking this more southerly route, we
are now encountering some rather strong currents
that are pushing us along.  Right now, our SOG
(speed over the ground) is 5.5 knots even with
the para-vanes down.  This translates into a
current component of around .7 of a knot.  Our
fuel reserves are improving daily, and we now
have approximately 60 gallons more than what I
consider minimum safe (20% reserve).  To be this
far ahead, having covered a little less than 1/3
of our passage, is exceptionally good.

Life is a Cruise,

Larry and Jim

Larry Rick
Done Dreamin'
Nordhavn 40 #33
Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/
Email: mailto:donedream@pacbell.netdonedream@pacbell.net

Although I imagine that it is wise to exercise the wing engine, wouldn't the
use of a Gulf Coast or other oil bypass, "depth" filter preclude the need
for stopping the main engine.

For arguements sake, do tug boats and similar commercial craft stop their
engines to change oil?

Ron Rogers

Larry Rick  on Done Dreamin' posted:

Every two hundred hours it is necessary to shut
down the main engine, so that we may change the
oil and filter.  When you shut down a perfectly
good engine 800 or so miles from land, this can
create a little consternation.

REPLY

How many blue water boats have filter systems and oil changers that
allow changes on the fly without shutting down the engine?

Best regards
Arild