We moved Gypsy to her summer dock in Mystic on Wednesday. It was just a short hop around Morgan Point and then a couple of miles up the Mystic River but still it provided us with bit of excitement. Just after we pulled out of the slip, as we were leaving the Marina, we heard a squeaking noise that wasn’t right. It happened just as I increased engine RPM. I immediately throated back and the noise went away. I had previously brought the engine up to full power with no ill effects at the dock, in neutral. I suspected the stuffing box; that the packing might be too tight around the prop shaft. I loosened it a bit, Susan put it back in gear and throttled up and the noise was gone. Smiles all around. Also the bow thruster didn’t work and I couldn’t do anything about that. The motor ran but to no effect. I figure I must have incorrectly assembled the prop when I change the zinc anode over the winter and it’s just not engaging. Oh well, that will have to wait till the next haul out to fix. In the mean time I’ll get plenty of opportunity to improve my docking skills.
We’re headed down to Gypsy this weekend to install the solar panels and bend the sails on. It will be very interesting to see how the energy needs of our new life will measure up against 35 sq.ft. of collection area. We trying to make ourselves as self sustaining as possible and these solar panels along with Gypsy’s sails are the cornerstone of the effort. I also am looking forward to raising the storm jib at the new inner forestay to see how that shakes out.
In other news: After a world wind of activity Susan’s house went on the market this week. There is an open house scheduled for this Sunday, fingers crossed.
149 days
