CANADIAN CANAL CRUISE 1
Traveling "standby" is sometimes the scenic route taking one to unanticipated destinations and causing awkward delays that can last for days. Luckily, our Spokane - Denver - Toronto trip only took 2 days. A rented car in Toronto took us to Niagara Falls and then to Penetanguishene (don't try this at home) at the lower end of Georgian Bay where Explorer spent the winter shrink wrapped.
Midland, the neighboring town has not only a pronounceable name, but also, Walmart, West Marine, and Canadian Tire. What can you buy at Canadian Tire? Everything except food and at great prices. It is like a smaller Walmart but with an emphasis on auto parts and service. The West Marine was a big disappointment. They were out of a lot of inventory partially because everything sold in Canada must be labeled in French as well as English. Some frog had wandered into the place and discovered the horrible truth that some stuff was only in English. They couldn't sell it to me even though I can't read French. I needed another depth sounder for the fly bridge.
Provisions and equipment were put aboard and then the rental car could be returned. This cruise will keep us in well populated areas where services are at hand unlike last year's cruise where we were in primitive territory most of the time. The crew anticipates with relish, the prospect of an occasional Laundromat experience.
After several days of preparation, Explorer was launched. The oil needed changing in both engines and after the system checked out, we would be ready to go.
First problem was that the starboard engine failed to start. No fuel to the carburetor. All the fuel lines, filters, and valves were clear so it must be the fuel pump. On that engine there is very little clearance for the pump and it is quite difficult to reach while in a strained position. One bolt cannot even be seen until it is removed by feel alone and subsequently dropped in the bilge - the place where all things end up sooner or later including the boater who is there so often it may be considered his special place. To make a long, sad story short, the pump turned out to be OK and was reinstalled. The cause was a small air leak in the fuel tank dip tube. Boats are prohibited from using gravity feed from the tank and fuel must be sucked out by the pump. It took most of a day to solve the problem.
Just as the Starboard engine began its new life, the port engine died and refused to start. No power to the starter motor. The voltage at the motor measured good but the thing wouldn't turn the engine. This challenge was accepted by checking every component in the circuit multiple times. Finally I noticed the engine could be started from the helm station on the fly bridge but not at the helm in the cabin. This narrowed the problem and a high resistance connection was discovered - lots of volts but no amps. Blew another day.
The depth sounder died. It teasingly worked enough to keep me occupied for too long. Most of my boating experience has been sans sounder so I was not concerned, just inconvenienced. The crew however, reverted to her alternate role of Admiral and said, "Not go with zounder kaput," or something like that. The statement was said in a manner and tone familiar to most experienced husbands and really means that any further discussion or negotiations will result in immediate escalation of distressing emotion. Someone suggested Canadian Tire and I found they had two units in stock. No car but one of the yard workers drove me there. I bought both of them. I was put on GO status by the Admiral.
Free health care in Canada! The boatyard manager's son (late 20's) has had a hip problem from age 5. He can't get surgical repairs because they are too booked up with more serious cases. When he tries to get scheduled, they tell him to come back when it gets more serious - so far, he is limited but still active.
The jet stream has been making waves across the border area so we will sit tight at the dock until the rain stops and leave tomorrow for Port Severn and the entry of the Trent-Severn canal system.