Learning
Refrigeration Upgrade

We spent the last three days replacing our two previous refrigeration systems with a new one. We used to have an AC compressor and an engine-driven compressor, both of which still ran on Freon. We now have a Keel cooled Frigoboat system (K50-SSC) that runs off the 12V house batteries and uses R134a. We bought […]

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Learning
Liferaft servicing

We were in Vancouver this week to get our liferaft serviced.  Scream carries an inflatable liferaft for the crew.  Inflatable rafts are industry standard, and they are tested and repaired by authorized dealers every year. The raft is in a large duffel bag that weighs almost 100 pounds.  In the bag there are a half […]

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A visit from my father

Scream went for a three hour tour with Dieter Ensslen, the father of the first mate, and his partner. We sailed close to beam in about 15kn of wind, first making 4 knots against the current and then 8 knots with it. All while chatting a lot and paying little attention to the sails. It […]

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On the Hard

On April 2nd, Scream was hauled out of the water in Sidney, BC to have work done below the water line. We hired professionals to do the work as we are rather timid, and don't have the correct tools. The outside of the hull bellow the water line (which is usually referred to as "the […]

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Travel
Roche Harbor

Scream visited Roche Harbor on San Juan island as the last stop on our tour of Puget sound.  The settlement of Roche harbor is a village on a penisula facing the largest of several bays in the vicinity.  The harbour has a large marina and sufficient room for dozens of boats to anchor.  The bottom […]

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Fun
Rosario

On March 30, Scream visited Rosario Resort on Orca's Island in Washington state. It was wonderful. The resort is first class. It has been a few years since the crew of Scream has been to a five star resort, but Rosario is nicer than a few four star resorts that we have visited. The dockmaster […]

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Port Townsend

Port Townsend is a wonderful town at the north end of Puget Sound. Port Townsend has a skate park, cooperative grocery, and volunteer cafe in addition to dozens of normal restaurants, stores, and eateries. Port Townsend is also the home of the wooden boat foundation, who sell all kinds of useful items in their small […]

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Learning
Darusha's "Waves" Talk

Steven & I have been participating in a seminar about weather through the Bluewater Cruising Association, and on March 12, I gave a presentation on waves. You can check out my slides below, or download the pdf here. | View | Upload your own

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Travel
Visiting the parents

We visited Scream's previous owners at their home on Salt Spring Island this weekend. Bob and Gay are wonderful. They were having a dinner party, and invited us along when the heard that we were free. It is 36 nm to Ganges from Victoria, so we set out Saturday morning for the party Sunday afternoon. […]

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Fun
San Juan Island

Scream spent this past week on a trip to San Juan Island. There was essentially no wind on the day we left Victoria for the 27 nm trip to Friday Harbour. So despite a good attempt at sailing, we motored most of the way. We were running late and decided that we wouldn't get to […]

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