Two full weeks disabled at Tidewater

It has been two weeks this Wednesday, May 23rd,  since we were towed to Tidewater Yacht Services in Baltimore City on May 13.  The engine mechanic has diagnosed our overheating engine and ordered a new oil heat exchanger.  Meanwhile, we are starting to live aboard full time while we adjust to cruising lifestyle aboard Aisling.

We had a "send-off party" on Saturday May 20.  We enjoyed hummus, chips, carrots, celery, gold fish crackers, whole wheat crackers, two cakes, Jeff's home brewed beer, iced tea, good company and a lovely Navigator's Blessing by "littlegoldboat" read by Pastor Nancy.

Eric gave "tour du port" dingy rides and Caitlin was his co-captain.  She even learned how to row!
Kathy, Jeff's sister, was thrilled with the excitement of riding the small boat.

Barbie has been busy shopping for items to organize the boat.  We've been impressed with how many loads of supplies and equipment we have been able to get on the boat.

Jeff has put on two more solar panels and a solar battery charger.

The two new panels are on the sides of the original panel.  Total wattage is now 335 watts.   Jeff installed a special solar charger.  In addition to the solar panels, the engine alternator is a second input to charge the 200 amp hour house battery.

Since we have a dinghy stored on our stern, it is difficult to read our boat name and hailing port.   Jeff solved this problem by placing the boat name and hailing port on the bottom of the dinghy.

We have been sleeping most nights on the boat, eating breakfast, doing some work on the boat and/or going to our house to work there.

We are ready to leave as soon as Aisling's engine work is completed.

Last Saturday the engine mechanic talked with us about the engine and the scenario about the failure.  He thought it might be a problem with the oil cooler.  He took the oil cooler off but we heard nothing from him.  Today we heard it was indeed the oil cooler that was the problem and the part has been ordered.  As to how long getting the part will take we do not know.

We have enjoyed getting used to the on-board routine.   We have cooked some nice dinners on board, for example, pork chops, grilled hamburgers, etc.

We have experiences some rainy weather and windy weather in port.  During heavy rain, our two dogs do not want to get wet.   It is a good thing that they still will use the artificial grass turf mat in the cockpit.

It looks like it won't be long once the engine parts arrive before we will be on our way.

Aisling disabled and towed to Baltimore

We have been at Tidewater Yacht Service Marina since last Wednesday, May 10th.  Jeff and the electronics technician were taking a short cruise to calibrate the autopilot.  However, before they were able to do that Aisling's engine overheated and Jeff called Tow Boat US for a tow.  The tow boat took the technician back to Middle River Landing Marina.  The tow boat then returned to Jeff and Aisling, who were anchored near Wilson Point, and towed her to Tidewater Yacht Service which is in the Port Covington area in the Baltimore City.  Luckily we have Boat US towing insurance --  this 20 mile tow would have cost us $15000.00 otherwise.

Anyway, since then Jeff has continued to do various jobs on the boat and I finished the quilt for our vee-berth bed, two quilts for the dogs, an apron, and curtains for the forward part of the boat.  The curtains have been very valuable since the sun comes in those windows and heats the cabin up.

We have been sleeping on Aisling since last Wednesday and discovering how to make her organized and where to store things.  Today we bought some storage bins that fit in a storage area perfectly.  We are able to store 36 cans of dog food (each can lasts for 3 days - six meals) and their treats, and meds in that area.

I've also been moving my clothes and toiletries onto Aisling and organizing them.  Aisling is beginning to feel like home and I'm amazed that for not having any room or much storage area, we are getting things in place.

The Yanmar engine mechanic did some quick troubleshooting and found antifreeze in the oil and oil in the antifreeze.    This marina is busy and so far we have not been able to get the work even started.  Tomorrow, will be one week since we were towed here and hopefully the work will begin soon.

Meanwhile,  Jeff has been busy installing a new battery charger that uses the solar panels and/or the engine alternator as the charging source.  

The marina we are in is adjacent to some properties that are being developed by the Under Armor executive James Plank and his various companies.   The Sagamore Spirit distillery which opened only this month is next door to the marina.  They make a rye whisky using a unique 40 foot polished copper still.   Jeff took the photo below.    Meanwhile, today an article appeared in the New York Times about the Port Covington development that are making this part of Baltimore City re-vitalized.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/realestate/under-armour-preakness-kevin-plank-sagamore-port-covington.html

Sunday we brought Caitlin, our Baltimore granddaughter,  to Aisling.  It was her first time seeing the boat.  She had a great time playing pirate, and Jeff took her on the bow of the boat and even to the very top with the "smoke stack".

We  now have a Twitter account where we will upload short updates and photos.    Just follow the Twitter user @mv_aisling  -- that stands for Motor Vessel Aisling.   https://twitter.com/MV_Aisling