Well, it opened for business in 2010, but it is new to us. This harbor works best in good weather. It is pretty tight, we witnessed some bumpy maneuvering even though the conditions were good.
DrøbakLatitude: 59° 39.558 NLongitude: 10° 37.688 E Click chart to view larger scope, or here for an even larger scope in a separate window. Chart data ©Kartverket. |
If I see a leakage, I instinctively grab a screwdriver and start tightening all the hose clamps nearby. I have killed a few hose clamps as a result. This was also going on with the seawater pump for a while, until I realized that the pump axes is ‘open’ so seawater or oil will leak if one of the sealing rings are worn, makes sense I guess.
After browsing forums, getting a Volvo Penta wear kit and impeller kit and picking up a snap ring plier, I went to work on it, one afternoon. The pump is held in place by 4 bolts, where the 2 most accessible bolts have nuts. The 2 least accessible bolts are screwed into threads in the pump house itself. This 2 bolts require that, among other, one engine pad is removed for a minimum of access. At this point I realize that the 10 mm wrench key was missing from my toolkit, probably offered to Neptune at some point in the past. Just as well, because the afternoon had turned into evening.
Day 2 I got the pump removed. It took longer than you would think. After removing the gear, it became clear that the bent snap ring plier I brought was no good, I needed a straight on.
I took the pump to my tools (larger collection of tool at home, than in the boat), since taking the tools to the pump did not work so well. On day 3 I could refit a ready assembled seawater pump.
Granted, a professional would have all the necessary tools at hand, but still the design is such that time is wasted servicing it. Volvo Pent spare parts are expensive enough, I dread to think what it would cost to have an authorized Volvo Penta serviceman do this job.
The seasons first weekend sailing was a pleasant and familiar trip to our #1 favorite destination. On our way home, we made a stop at our second favorite spot, for supper. Right around the corner (..if islands have corners) a yacht caught fire. On the radio we could hear that the crew had jumped overboard and quickly got picked up by yachts nearby. We could also hear that police, rescuers and firemen were rushing to the scene. A couple of their boats passed through our anchorage, without much fuss.
What happened next, on the radio, saddens me. No less the 3 different weekend captains thought it proper to complain about the waves the boats of the emergency services made. One of them even took it upon himself to lecture the firemen. Apparently this emergency did not justify making such waves, he explained. A burning yacht drifting towards land, potentially starting a forest fire on an island, was definitely not a reason to make him spill his drink…
LysakerfjordenLatitude: 59° 53.293 NLongitude: 10° 40.026 E Click chart to view larger scope, or here for an even larger scope in a separate window. Chart data ©Kartverket. |