The Westlake Pirates

With the survey completed and the title transfered, Kristin and I bid farewell to our time on the lake, with just the kayak remaining as our link to the water. It was fun, educational, occasionally annoying, and overall a very good experience (other than a few days last November!)

This blog has now run its course and reached its final harbor. The archives are securely anchored for future reading, but new comments will be turned off in a few days' time. You can always contact us by e-mail.

Many safe sailings to one and all.

-S & K (and the cats)

Posted by Steve at 1:04 PM | Permalink

It came right down to the wire, but the engines started up without any problems Monday morning, and in a very, VERY strange coincidence the surveyor that the buyer found ended up being the same person who surveyed the boat for us two years ago back in Raymond! It turns out he's an associate of the surveyor just up the street from the marina.

At about 10:45 am we pulled out of the marina (and had a few harrowing moments with the boat hooks making sure we didn't bump anyone too hard) and made our way up to Lake Union Ship Yard near Gasworks Park. I got to drive the boat for a few minutes after we were in open water, and it's remarkable how sluggish a vessel seems to respond to turning the wheel, compared to a car. Of course we were also only going about 7 mph so that might make a difference as well.

The haul-out went uneventfully (see picture above) with a layer of algae and general sea scum washed off the hull. There are a few small blisters that have turned up since the last time she was out, but nothing serious.

All-in-all things were about as I expected, with the condition of the boat similar to what it was when we had it surveyed in 2005. We did improve many things although there are always things to do on a boat, so the new owner will have her hands full if she decides to take on any of the projects. She at least inherits a good mechanic and a marina full of knowledge and advice. I'm sure she has lots of plans and vision for the boat, just like we had back in April 2005. She was already unloading lots of paint from her car as I was leaving the marina!

Posted by Steve at 12:51 PM | Permalink

After much hammering, disassembling, cursing and cleaning, the engine problems have been diagnosed.

Here is one of the starboard exhaust risers:

Note the rust and general state of distress.

Continue reading "Ashes to Ashes, Rust to Rust" »

Posted by Steve at 12:35 PM | Permalink

It's been a while! Where have you all been?

Oh, right.

So we're thiiiiiiiis close (holds fingers mere millimeters apart) to selling the boat, but before the transaction is complete the buyer wants to have the boat hauled out, pressure-washed, and surveyed. All fair and good requests (and things we had done back when we were in her shoes) but there turned out to be one minor hang-up with getting this dealt with - our engines. They haven't been run in a very long time (hands up if you can guess when the last time was), which I will point out is a very stupid thing to do.

Continue reading "The engines go...... (silence)" »

Posted by Steve at 8:46 AM | Permalink

The temperature dropped to about 26 F last night, and remains below freezing as lunchtime approaches. We had a dusting of snow and the docks were dangerously slick and iced-over. The water line is turned off for safety, and the heaters are doing the best they can, but that still had us at a chilly 56 in the front room this morning. Luckily we have a very, very warm comforter on the bed.

This could be the proverbial snowflake that broke the camel's back, as we assess the future of full-time living aboard after an all-time record rainy month capped by a bitter cold snap that's likely to remain in place for at least two more days.

There's a lot still to be done with the boat (both in terms of repairs and enjoyment), but everything comes at a price, and this month that's been a damp chill, fifteen inches of rain, and now a layer of ice.

Posted by Steve at 11:31 AM | Permalink