We ran into a few more hitches. Kind of expected after four years of idleness! The generator was running too hot. Proved to be a gunked up heat exchanger. Had a leaky water pump and a leaky spare, got both of those fixed and one installed. Leaky fuel transfer pump. Replaced it. We made the Anchorage provision run. Changed all the hose clamps on the main engine. Greased all the steering gear. Only things left are to get a diver to grease the MaxProp and change zincs. I have dove to change the zincs myself but with only a tropical wetsuit I get hypothermia by the time I finish the zincs. I am sure I would struggle with both jobs so we will get a diver with a dry suit! Finish stowing things and we are out of here. That probably means Wednesday night which means we will probably leave at about 6 am Thursday as the afternoon winds would make getting out of our cubby hole pretty touchy.
About Me
- SY Sari Timur
- Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
- I am owned by Pauline and Mark Blasky. My hull was built at the Duncan Marine Yard in Taiwan and launched in Dec of 1980. It is a William Garden design based on the Pixie Design and called by Duncan Marine a Freedom 45. They are the fourth owners and have owned me the longest. They have done extensive refitting to me including replacing my entire deck structure and rig. My masts are roughly 10% taller than original and now are made of aluminium as opposed to the original wood ones, which, though pretty, were always problematic. You can read more about me under "MORE ABOUT SARI TIMUR"
June 10, 2019
May 30, 2019
Progress
Well, Sari Timur is showing her minders that she doesn't like sitting for most of the time for the last three plus years. We are finding lots of little ways she is demanding attention. And we are slowly knocking them off. First, we found a diesel leak last year on the main engine when it ran. Some investigation into that proved it was the injector pump front seal. Injector pumps scare us so we hired a mechanic to help us get it off and sent to the injector pump rebuild people. They completely rebuilt it and it looks shiny and new. In January when Mark was battling those 70+ knot storms on the tug boat, Pauline was keeping Sari Timur safe. There were only a couple of damages, the Maretron wind instrument got destroyed and a tang broke off the hawsepipe thruhull cleat. An exact replacement wasn't available so we ordered a pair of brand new stainless ones. This meant after removing the old ones, we had to modify the holes as the new holes were slightly longer and thinner. Some grinding, glassing, epoxy, drilling and caulk and they are now in. We still have to paint the hull around these but they look great and the painting can be done while in the Sound.
We went to hank on the head sail and found the roller furler jammed up. So we hooked up the bosun's chair to pull Mark up top and found the windless didn't work. A bit of trouble-shooting on that and he got the motor working again but some internal corrosion is making it weak. So replacement parts are now on their way (should be arriving today) and we are struggling along with the old windlass motor in the meantime. We replaced the wind instruments with an Airmar as Maretron no longer manufactures one. And we really like having the full weather station option up there. The furler problem seems to be the grease we had on there hardened and oxidized. We finally have it all down. A major chore with a damaged windlass. Climbing the forestay is a real chore as it has such a large angle to the mast. Many of you probably remembered Mark falling from the top of the mast while trying to work his way down the forestay many years ago. He still needs to do a complete inspection of the forestay and clean it but he is pretty convinced it was just gunked up really badly and not a broken wire strand like we feared might be the problem.
We ordered a new freezer and instead of putting it under the chart table where we have flooded two other ones, we have decided to sacrifice a portion of the quarterberth. This really hasn't been used for anything but storage since Roger helped Mark get Sari Timur back from Africa in 1995. It looks good there and is actually easier to get at. It does mean making another cushion cover for the cushion that is there and now only 2/3s the size but that can be done while cruising.
The dinghy outboard is at the small motor repair shop. It is just a carburetor issue but may be the thing that holds back our departure by a few days. Otherwise things are coming together. We still have lots of work to do provisioning and stowing but things are coming together. We are still trying to get out of here on the 7th but that is a Friday and probably the 10th is a more realistic target.
We went to hank on the head sail and found the roller furler jammed up. So we hooked up the bosun's chair to pull Mark up top and found the windless didn't work. A bit of trouble-shooting on that and he got the motor working again but some internal corrosion is making it weak. So replacement parts are now on their way (should be arriving today) and we are struggling along with the old windlass motor in the meantime. We replaced the wind instruments with an Airmar as Maretron no longer manufactures one. And we really like having the full weather station option up there. The furler problem seems to be the grease we had on there hardened and oxidized. We finally have it all down. A major chore with a damaged windlass. Climbing the forestay is a real chore as it has such a large angle to the mast. Many of you probably remembered Mark falling from the top of the mast while trying to work his way down the forestay many years ago. He still needs to do a complete inspection of the forestay and clean it but he is pretty convinced it was just gunked up really badly and not a broken wire strand like we feared might be the problem.
We ordered a new freezer and instead of putting it under the chart table where we have flooded two other ones, we have decided to sacrifice a portion of the quarterberth. This really hasn't been used for anything but storage since Roger helped Mark get Sari Timur back from Africa in 1995. It looks good there and is actually easier to get at. It does mean making another cushion cover for the cushion that is there and now only 2/3s the size but that can be done while cruising.
The dinghy outboard is at the small motor repair shop. It is just a carburetor issue but may be the thing that holds back our departure by a few days. Otherwise things are coming together. We still have lots of work to do provisioning and stowing but things are coming together. We are still trying to get out of here on the 7th but that is a Friday and probably the 10th is a more realistic target.
May 17, 2019
The Igloo Is Off
Sari Timur is looking much more like herself. We got the Igloo off and now are starting to tidy up the deck from everything we had stored under it for the winter. Will be a bit of fun!!!! getting everything stored before we begin cruising next month.
May 16, 2019
Success
Mark received his 500 ton master's license with the full oceans and international endorsements. His sailing endorsement is limited to 100 tons only and his towing endorsement is still for a mate's position until he accumulates another year as a mate of a towing vessel.
He is extremely happy!
He is extremely happy!
April 29, 2019
Progress on the Winter Repairwork
As many of you know, just before we left Guam, we noticed a leak above the port side quarterberth. Digging around literally a week before our departure, we found some dry rot. We quickly got at it and dug out a bunch of rotten wood from the coach roof wall. Then puttied and glassed it back before departing to Japan.
During the crossing to Japan, the leaks got worse so during the winter in Japan, we went at it a little harder. But alas, we still had leaks. This winter we had the cover over Sari Timur, so Mark decided he was going to attack the problem from the outside. What he found was that the glass coating on the outside of the coach had split away from the deck. Over time (31 years ago was when we replaced the deck) water had seeped in and started to rot the bottom of the coach. So he began cutting the glass off from three inches above the deck in ten inch sections, starting from just behind the liferaft and working aft. Digging out the rot until he reached good wood and then using epoxies and epoxy glass to replace it all and build it back. We now have no more leaks. We are not sure if it will stay that way once we begin cruising again or not. Mark says in order to fix it permanently we should remove part of the deck and do a glass job direct deck to coach roof. But maybe doing just what we have done, the bond may be strong enough to hold. Time will only tell us that.
We have completed the whole port side now. Only need to fine sand and some paint. We finished rough sanding on Saturday. Now just looking for a weather window to be warm enough for paint to cure. We noticed we have the same problem on the starboard side but no leaks there yet. However we now have a project for next winter. The good news is we thought we were going to be replacing the whole coach when we got down to Mexico or Southern California where there is a dry climate. Now we realize that the coach is in pretty good shape, we just have to repair the bottom couple of inches. We probably will still lift a portion of the deck when we get down there and glass it properly but not having to replace the whole coachroof is a relief.
During the crossing to Japan, the leaks got worse so during the winter in Japan, we went at it a little harder. But alas, we still had leaks. This winter we had the cover over Sari Timur, so Mark decided he was going to attack the problem from the outside. What he found was that the glass coating on the outside of the coach had split away from the deck. Over time (31 years ago was when we replaced the deck) water had seeped in and started to rot the bottom of the coach. So he began cutting the glass off from three inches above the deck in ten inch sections, starting from just behind the liferaft and working aft. Digging out the rot until he reached good wood and then using epoxies and epoxy glass to replace it all and build it back. We now have no more leaks. We are not sure if it will stay that way once we begin cruising again or not. Mark says in order to fix it permanently we should remove part of the deck and do a glass job direct deck to coach roof. But maybe doing just what we have done, the bond may be strong enough to hold. Time will only tell us that.
We have completed the whole port side now. Only need to fine sand and some paint. We finished rough sanding on Saturday. Now just looking for a weather window to be warm enough for paint to cure. We noticed we have the same problem on the starboard side but no leaks there yet. However we now have a project for next winter. The good news is we thought we were going to be replacing the whole coach when we got down to Mexico or Southern California where there is a dry climate. Now we realize that the coach is in pretty good shape, we just have to repair the bottom couple of inches. We probably will still lift a portion of the deck when we get down there and glass it properly but not having to replace the whole coachroof is a relief.
April 21, 2019
Back in Alaska
We are back in Alaska. As we predicted, our time there was too rushed and we didn't get to see everyone. For those who made the effort to fit in with our schedule, we appreciate it to no end. It was great seeing as many people as we did. And we loved meeting Aspen Sky.
For those wondering, Mark passed his courses and is submitting the paperwork to the Coast Guard tomorrow. This should give him the full international endorsement.
When we get back, it will be time to start turning Sari Timur back into a cruising boat. Lots to do there.
Happy Easter
For those wondering, Mark passed his courses and is submitting the paperwork to the Coast Guard tomorrow. This should give him the full international endorsement.
When we get back, it will be time to start turning Sari Timur back into a cruising boat. Lots to do there.
Happy Easter
April 10, 2019
We Are Off to Florida
Well not quite yet. But we leave Friday night. Mark has to do two more courses to go along with his OIC check list that he has finally had a captain qualified to sign off. This will give him the full international endorsement for his US Coast Guard License. The courses are short and simple but he is looking forward to them. The plus side is that he is bringing Pauline and we will have a mini spring break and visit relatives.
Looking forward to some warm weather, although since returning from Fairbanks we have had some amazing weather for March with day time temps in the high 40's to mid 50's. We have been able to get a jump on a lot of work we hoped to achieve before we begin cruising again this summer.
Looking forward to some warm weather, although since returning from Fairbanks we have had some amazing weather for March with day time temps in the high 40's to mid 50's. We have been able to get a jump on a lot of work we hoped to achieve before we begin cruising again this summer.
March 3, 2019
We are in Fairbanks
The Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs
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| The outside of the Ice Museum |
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| The inside, everything is constructed out of ice blocks, even the chandeliers |
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| Apple martini, served in glasses made out of ice |
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| Mark enjoying a martini |
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| All those martini glasses, waiting to be used |
Ice Alaska 2019
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| This is at the entrance |
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| Who says palm trees do not grow in Alaska? |
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| Little Dragon, a Japanese entry, won 1st prize for the 2-person category |
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| Little Dragon at night |
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| The Last Kiss, in the day |
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| The Last Kiss, at night |
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| The artist and carvers for this sculpture named Simply Irresistible. They won 3rd prize in the multi-block category |
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| This sculpture is named War Path. They won 1st prize in the multi-block category |
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| War Path, at night |
December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas to you.
Mark left Seward on Monday, December 17 and they were supposed to bring the barge all the way to Seattle but due to bad weather, had to put into Yakutat. The Captain and Mate flew home for Christmas, while Mark and another crew are left on the tug. They will be there till after Christmas and will continue with their trip down to Seattle
It will be a quiet Christmas for Pauline, who will be working.
By the way, we did not get our act together this year to churn out our annual Christmas letter. We are not sure if it will get done. Our year did not include sailing on Sari Timur but lots of trips were made on airplanes and for Mark, on the tug as well.
Mark left Seward on Monday, December 17 and they were supposed to bring the barge all the way to Seattle but due to bad weather, had to put into Yakutat. The Captain and Mate flew home for Christmas, while Mark and another crew are left on the tug. They will be there till after Christmas and will continue with their trip down to Seattle
It will be a quiet Christmas for Pauline, who will be working.
By the way, we did not get our act together this year to churn out our annual Christmas letter. We are not sure if it will get done. Our year did not include sailing on Sari Timur but lots of trips were made on airplanes and for Mark, on the tug as well.
November 30, 2018
Earthquake !
Alaska sits along the ring of fire. Volcano eruptions and earthquakes are common occurrences in the lives of Alaskans. Along with earthquakes come tsunamis.
There could be one earthquake happening every minute. Just from midnight of November 30 to 4pm, there were 146 earthquakes, 43 of these were over 3 on the Richter scale. Amazing!
At about 8.30 am, a 7.0 earthquake put Alaska in the news. Pauline was at work in the hotel when that happened. It was something that she had never experienced in her life. Minutes after the shake, which lasted a long time, the tsunami warning came on. This is the part we worry about most. While that was happening at the hotel, Mark was on the tug, moving about in Resurrection Bay. Our neighbor in the marina said that their boat did a funny jiggle.
We escaped with no harm but there were lots of damages elsewhere, like rock slides, road collapse, glass windows falling, power outages, houses splitting. Fortunately, it seems no injuries were sustained.
We just want to let everyone know that we are safe and well.
There could be one earthquake happening every minute. Just from midnight of November 30 to 4pm, there were 146 earthquakes, 43 of these were over 3 on the Richter scale. Amazing!
At about 8.30 am, a 7.0 earthquake put Alaska in the news. Pauline was at work in the hotel when that happened. It was something that she had never experienced in her life. Minutes after the shake, which lasted a long time, the tsunami warning came on. This is the part we worry about most. While that was happening at the hotel, Mark was on the tug, moving about in Resurrection Bay. Our neighbor in the marina said that their boat did a funny jiggle.
We escaped with no harm but there were lots of damages elsewhere, like rock slides, road collapse, glass windows falling, power outages, houses splitting. Fortunately, it seems no injuries were sustained.
We just want to let everyone know that we are safe and well.
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