The comings and goings in the marina this week have matched the goings with the comings for several boats.
First, Auspray departed on Saturday for an overnight passage west. It was a beautiful day and we envied them as they sailed off to the horizon. However, a call later in the day revealed that the weather had turned upon them and rather than continue into the night with headwinds, thunder, and rain, they would return to Miri Marina. They arrived back before sundown to find the entrance a bit rougher than when they left.
Second, we finally had a departure date, we had checked out, Tweed was looking very shipshape and the weather was looking good for a passage 30 NM to the NE to Kuala Belait in Brunei. We left in calm, overcast conditions. The seas were down but still quite lumpy but setting the mainsail helped quell the roll somewhat. It was good to be back on the water. We were only about 7.5 NM out when the dreaded sound of a surging engine sent Jon below to change the fuel lines over from the port tank to the starboard tank. The engine was happy again. Jon checked the fuel filter from the port tank and it appeared that it had the dreaded diesel bug in it. Rather than continue on and risk the same sequence of events with the starboard tank, we decided it would be better to return to Miri where it would be easier to get the fuel system sorted out (once again). Motoring back, the wind almost died, the seas glassed out apart from a long, low swell and we made the marina entrance safely and returned to our dock.
Third, Isis departed this morning, also for Kuala Belait. We had all jokingly suggested that they too would soon be back and unbelievably it was only a short time later that they returned to the marina with autopilot problems.
As they say, cruising plans are never set in concrete.
We hope to have the fuel problem sorted soon and be on our way once more!
First, Auspray departed on Saturday for an overnight passage west. It was a beautiful day and we envied them as they sailed off to the horizon. However, a call later in the day revealed that the weather had turned upon them and rather than continue into the night with headwinds, thunder, and rain, they would return to Miri Marina. They arrived back before sundown to find the entrance a bit rougher than when they left.
Second, we finally had a departure date, we had checked out, Tweed was looking very shipshape and the weather was looking good for a passage 30 NM to the NE to Kuala Belait in Brunei. We left in calm, overcast conditions. The seas were down but still quite lumpy but setting the mainsail helped quell the roll somewhat. It was good to be back on the water. We were only about 7.5 NM out when the dreaded sound of a surging engine sent Jon below to change the fuel lines over from the port tank to the starboard tank. The engine was happy again. Jon checked the fuel filter from the port tank and it appeared that it had the dreaded diesel bug in it. Rather than continue on and risk the same sequence of events with the starboard tank, we decided it would be better to return to Miri where it would be easier to get the fuel system sorted out (once again). Motoring back, the wind almost died, the seas glassed out apart from a long, low swell and we made the marina entrance safely and returned to our dock.
Third, Isis departed this morning, also for Kuala Belait. We had all jokingly suggested that they too would soon be back and unbelievably it was only a short time later that they returned to the marina with autopilot problems.
As they say, cruising plans are never set in concrete.
We hope to have the fuel problem sorted soon and be on our way once more!
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