Category Archives: broken things

Of Failed Boat Sales and Mislaid Plans

By B.J. | Published March 22, 2021

I’ve not updated the blog in well, forever, because life has been…mundane with not very much sailing. We’ve been in New Zealand since before the pandemic, and life here has been mostly normal since the virus isn’t out of hand. Weekly poker games, lunches with friends, boat work, and other Read On..

Also posted in bottom paint, Camping, for sale, maintenance, projects | 3 Comments

Firmly Etched in Wet Sand…

By B.J. | Published June 8, 2019

…below the high water mark. That’s how I generally describe our plans and how we make them. But sometimes it’s nice to actually KNOW what you will be doing, and it is also required to know when you are applying for things like visas and permits. The Original Plan. Sort Read On..

Also posted in Batteries, Customs & Immigration, Engine, French Polynesia, hard to find parts, haulouts, Lithium, New Zealand, projects, South Island | Comments Off on Firmly Etched in Wet Sand…

The Hatch Horrors

By B.J. | Published February 7, 2018

Water, Water Everywhere Several of our Lewmar Ocean Hatches have been a problem for some time now. Way back in 2011 as part of my preparations for cruising we replaced our crazed and cracked hatch lenses with new, shaded ones. Presumably new seals were installed, but we didn’t address any Read On..

Also posted in Leaks | Tagged | 5 Comments

Dinghy Disaster II: Trapped Down Under

By B.J. | Published December 21, 2016

VOICEOVER GUY: A family, cruising the world under sail. You first met them in Dinghy Disaster: The Panama Horror. Now they’re back in a new adventure in the land of giant crocodiles, poisonous toads, huge mouse-eating spiders, and drop bears. Fasten your seat-belts and prepare to be Trapped Down Under. Read On..

Also posted in Dinghy, outboard | 2 Comments

For Want of a Hose…

By B.J. | Published November 17, 2015

So here we are, almost a week later, and still in Savusavu, Fiji. Last Friday it went according to plan. Mostly. We got up and had breakfast, went to the market, cleared out of customs and spent all but the last $1.60 of our Fijian money. We set off around Read On..

Also posted in Engine, Fiji, hard to find parts, Savusavu | Comments Off on For Want of a Hose…

Why You Should Check Your Oil Every Day – Day 5 to Fiji

By B.J. | Published May 21, 2015

Every book on cruising, every engine user manual, every “tips and tricks for not killing your engine” guide, every coastal and cruising instructional course out there says one thing in common: Check your engine oil every day. This is basic, but I am convinced that only the most meticulous people Read On..

Also posted in Fiji, Fish, passages | Comments Off on Why You Should Check Your Oil Every Day – Day 5 to Fiji

Look Ma, No Engine!

By B.J. | Published January 21, 2015

If you’ve followed this blog you will know that the generator – a Westerbeke 6.0 kw diesel – has been the bane of my existence almost since the day we left cruising.  If there was one “do-over” for this whole experience, it would have been to yank this stupid, leaky, Read On..

Also posted in cutlass bearing, Engine, Generator, haulouts | 2 Comments

Camp Evenstar

By B.J. | Published January 21, 2015

Our home is out of the water and has been for a couple of weeks now.  We pulled Evenstar in Opua to get some much-needed work done.  The basic list is: New standing rigging.  All the wires that hold the mast up are original to the boat and need replacing.  Read On..

Also posted in bottom paint, cutlass bearing, Dinghy, Generator, haulouts, maintenance, New Zealand | Comments Off on Camp Evenstar

Day 9 – Where to Start

By B.J. | Published November 13, 2014

The Engine Troubles We didn’t blog about it when it happened, but we did lose the engine for a while last Sunday. We were concerned that a few people may be over worried about us if we made a big deal about it out here ? but after all the Read On..

Also posted in New Zealand, passages, Stupidity | Comments Off on Day 9 – Where to Start

Reports of Resurrection are a Bit Premature

By B.J. | Published May 23, 2014

The autopilot worked beautifully for about three hours, then right before dinner it coughed up an error message and stopped working. “Clutch is Overloaded” or some such nonsense. It then refused to engage in any and all calibration and configuration exercises, telling me to Check your wiring. What I am Read On..

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Also posted in passages | Comments Off on Reports of Resurrection are a Bit Premature