A new "iron genny" for Pelagia! (Betamarine Beta50)

Installed: Pelagia's new Betamarine BETA50

 HAPPY CANADA DAY! 

Our trusty Yanmar (4JHTE) was getting on in years (37 yrs!) and hours (~6600 hrs). It was running well but showed several signs of upcoming issues, some quite pricey. (We received a "worst-case" scenario quote of C$22k!)

We decided to repower. 

We looked into getting a new Yanmar, but were put off by several issues: (i) Yanmar's base price was 2x a Betamarine Beta50, (ii) the Yanmar technology was more-advanced "common rail" relying on a electrical control unit (ECU) -- the problem was this would be more sensitive to fuel issues and any repairs would require a Yanmar dealer/mechanic, something not easily found North of Campbell River, and (iii) for the install, the local Yanmar dealer required Pelagia to be hauled out for an unspecified duration (add $$) and there have been issues with work timing here in Vancouver.

We decided on a Betamarine Beta50. The engine is a marinized version of a Kubota tractor engine, so parts and diesel mechanics are easily available. The technology is more simple, thus easier to maintain and repair.

The installation was done by the Canadian Beta distributor Gartside Marine Engines in Sidney BC. We were able to bring Pelagia to their dock and the Yanmar removal and Beta50 install done while Pelagia was still in the water. (There was no charge for time at Gartside's docks.) 

Sad seeing the old Yanmar out of the boat...

 

Of course, the install took longer than planned (well, welcome to boats...), and Pelagia's 3-blade fixed propeller had to be "re-pitched" twice. The first sea trial resulted in smooth engine running but the engine RPMs couldn't get up to the 2800 specifications. This meant a 2nd propeller re-pitch was required. Also, the propeller produced a very loud "singing" for RPMs between 1000-2000 rpm -- something the propeller wizards could correct. The 2nd re-pitching added another week, BUT the end result was success: no more propeller singing and no problem getting RPM up to 2800.  

We've had a few cruising days with the new engine: 2 between the second re-pitching (as the problems were discovered on a Friday), and 4 getting the boat back home to Vancouver (including a raucous sail across Georgia Strait).

Gartside also completed some other improvements, such as (i) all-new sound insulation of the engine room after cleaning, (ii) moving the external regulator so that it is now easily accessible, and (iii) new raw water strainer that was moved to a new, easily accessible location.

We also purchased (as an addon) a "NMEA2000" module for the Beta50. David ran cables and hooked this up to our existing NMEA2000 network (upgraded to allow more instruments) yesterday and now we have engine RPM, TEMP and OIL PRESSURE on our chartplotter in the cockpit.

Furuno chartplotter engine display (sample)

SO FAR, we're happy with our new Beta50. The process took longer (4 weeks rather than 2 weeks) than expected, wasn't cheap (but FAR FAR LESS that what a Yanmar installed in Vancouver would have cost us!). We definitely would recommend Gartside Marine Engines (Sidney, BC). 

Hopefully it keeps Pelagia going for many years to come.    

Now for some Summer cruising.... 

D's hip replacement...

 

6 weeks post-op, all going well. No longer need the cane to walk. Follow-up with surgeon today indicates all well. X-rays show cracked femur has healed well  (break occurred during hip replacement procedure). 

Fingers crossed for some hiking this Summer (and Fall), sailing (!) and, hopefully, back skiing next season.  

Quick getaway... 2 weeks in Thailand

Prinz Garden Villa pool

 

Lousy weather, lousy skiing, and some time before D's hip replacement: we decided last-minute to head to Hua Hin Thailand for 2 weeks (deciding/booking only 1 week in advance is very last-minute for us).

An easy short holiday. Good flights on ANA. All connections went well to and from.

In contrast to April 2023, the air quality in Hua Hin in January was much better -- not a problem.

 

As always, food was a highlight.

Tom Yum noodles soup at a street stand -- delicious

 

 Favourite restaurant was a new (to us) place featuring Northern Thailand food: "Khao Soi".

 

Khao Soi with crispy chicken

 

Breakfasts were included in our hotel deal. Almost all lunches were inside the air-conditioned food court at the nearby "Bluport Mall" (best Pad Thai!). 

 

We went to the beach a couple times, but only for walks (laying around on a beach is not our thing):

Hua Hin beach

 

A nice little trip. And no one caught a cold etc when we returned... bonus! 

 

No sailing this Fall...

 

 

We had planned to head out for 5-7 days over Canadian Thanksgiving (October). But Thursday before Thanksgiving, David came down with a bad cold that shut him down for a couple days. And the weather that weekend was truly horrible, with torrential rains.

Weather for the rest of the Fall continued to be pretty lousy.

So, no trips out on Pelagia this Fall. 

Last sail of the Summer (2025): 2 weeks in the Gulf Islands

 

Pelagia anchored at Russell Island

One last getaway this Summer: two weeks in the Gulf Islands. Lots of visiting friends and family, a new-to-us anchorage, and some places we haven't visited for a long time.

 

September 2025 route (red = sailing)

ITINERARY

Night 1: Kendrick Island (A)

Night 2: Clam Bay (A)

Night 3: Maple Bay Yacht Club (D)

Night 4: Russell Island (A*)

Night 5: Deep Cove (A)

Night 6: Tod Inlet (A)

Night 7: Ganges VRC dock (D)

Night 8: Montague Hbr  (B)

Nights 9 & 10: Winter Cove (A)

Nights 11 & 12: Otter Bay VRC dock (D)

Night 13: Clam Bay (A)

Night 14: Vancouver home berth  

First a nice, gentle sail across the strait to Kendrick Island/Dogfish Bay (becoming a favourite). Empty at first (1 other boat), but quickly 6-7 other boats came in after us (including 1 local boat that insisted on anchoring on top of our anchor... re-anchoring, they still seemed to need to be awfully close). Hey, it isn't supposed to be crowded in mid September!

Next day, a motor through Gabriola Passage (2-3 kn ebb) then a no-wind motor down to Clam Bay. Again, it became busy (although, not "crowded"). D takes a dinghy ride through the Cut and buys a peach pie at the Howling Wolf Farm shop while a white horse hopes for food. 

Nothing for me? (Actually, D bought an apple for him, but he disappeared.)

Next morning (another sunny day), we see a boat having trouble getting its anchor up. The middle portion of the Clam Bay anchorage seems to have many reports of a fouled bottom. (We mark the location along with other boats' past issues. An area to avoid!) 

Next day (Day 3), we have a dinner-on-Pelagia with a longtime sail and work friend who we haven't seen since pre-Covid times! We moor at the Maple Bay Yacht Club reciprocal dock.  A good get together. 

Following day, we head to new-to-us Russell Island, following a reconnoitre of the anchorage in Deep Cove near D's sister's house. She had warned me that there were now many mooring buoys. All empty. Turns out, an owner in  Deep Cove who doesn't even own a boat to be moored has put several buoys in. Really screwing up the anchorage and REALLY INCONSIDERATE (looking at you Ripley!). We decide we can still anchor next day, but much farther out and deeper than we used to. We continue on to Russell.

Deep Cove: Filled with unused private mooring buoys. Not nice!

Russell Island's anchorage was glassy calm but busier that we expected. Still, we find a spot for the night and go for a nice walk (and picked a few heritage apples). The bottom is a bit rocky so holding a bit so-so, and the anchorage somewhat open. Would not want to be here when the winds are blowing. Still, a quiet night.

Russell Island anchorage (Pelagia is 2nd boat from left)

Next day, back to buoy-filled Deep Cove. A long row to shore ('cause we anchored far out in 60 feet) but we had a very nice evening with family. Haven't anchored here since pre-Covid.

Next day was Tod Inlet (near Butchart Gardens). Maybe 13+ years since we've been here. The anchorage was very busy -- almost Desolation-Sound-crowded (OK, not quite... apparently it does get overcrowded in July-August). Nevertheless, we find a good spot. We then meet ex-cruiser buddies (formerly of SV Carousel) Gillian and David out at the road, and go out for lunch and then a walk around Brentwood Bay.

Time to get a few food items etc*, so next day we head over to Ganges on Saltspring Island and get lucky finding a spot on the VRC outstation dock.  (*we could easily have shopped near Brentwood Bay.)

We found Ganges too busy and the marina not-so-welcoming, so we decided to stay just 1 night. Next day we were going to go to Winter Cove, but southerly winds made it a bit bouncy, so we headed in to Montague Harbour. There were lots of buoys available (indeed a couple remained all night -- finally, the crowds seemed to be dwindling). 

Next day, it was calm and we motored down to Winter Cove. Only a few boats so lots of room for anchoring. Sunny and calm, we went for a walk and went kayaking. So nice, we stayed 2 nights.

Boat Passage, Winter Cove

Required selfie: At Winter Point (Saturna Is) with mainland mountains behind

 

We have another (our last) get together the next day over on North Pender Island. Space was available at the VRC dock (both spaces!) at Otter Bay Marina. Later, we are picked up by cruising buddies Wayne and Lee (of SV Chanter) and we have an enjoyable dinner with them at their home (during which, we get to see Wayne's fantastic trains).

Wayne among his trains (which are impressive)

Next day called for big NW winds in the Strait of Georgia (25-30 kt) and likely some in the islands. We decided to stay put on the dock at Otter Bay. Woke up to ashes all over the boat (from forest fires on the Olympic Peninsula, not Mt. St. Helens); D surreptitiously did a quick rinse off ("no boat washing" allowed... though later many other did more thorough washes). Sunny and warm, we even went for a swim in one of the marina's two pools.

Next day, the winds were down to 10-12 kn so we headed up to Clam Bay, to get ready for a morning transit of Porlier Pass and hopefully a sail across the strait (and hopefully not too strong winds). A quiet night in Clam Bay, with fewer boats than previous time.

Our last day, we indeed had a good sail back across Georgia Strait from outside of Porlier Pass: started out NW 17kt but very soon decreased to about 12-13 kt. An easy sail, although heeled-over for awhile at the start. Winds died at the Pt. Grey bell buoy.

An excellent 2-week cruise in the Gulf Islands, fun catching up with friends and family. Mostly motoring but bookended with good sailing on the first and last days.

 

 

A new stove for Pelagia

In its box, ready to install

 

Our old Force 10 stove was about 40 years old. It had served its two owners very well. Lately, the burners were burning yellow and sometimes poofing (?) out. Michelle suggested she wanted a new stove for her birthday. David worried about the cost (well over C$3000) but started looking, daunted by the thought of the money and all the work required. 

 

Old dependable no more...

It was the propane sniffer (rather, multiple sniffers) that quickly made up out mind. Suddenly, we had 3 different sniffers telling us there was a leak. So, time for a new stove.    

We looked into both Force 10 and Dickinson stoves. A review on YouTube thankfully made it clear the Dickinson wouldn't work for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRuda57AHk4

D read and re-read the Force 10 literature, and finally got help re sizes directly from folks at Force 10 (here in British Columbia). The North American Standard size would fit (both 3- and 4-burner models were identical sizes) our stove space. They were now 2-3 cm taller, but still would fit. 

The 4-burner was C$1000 pricier, was not in stock so might entail a substantial shipping charge, and would require about 4 weeks for delivery.  (In the 17 years we've had Pelagia, we've never used all 3 burners on our old stove.) The 3-burner Force 10 was in stock at Steveston Marine, and I could pick it up in 2 days. No delivery charge. The price was not cheap (~C$3700 with taxes)... we could buy 2-4 stoves at Home Depot for home for that price. Yeah, it's a boat, so special boat prices. 

I had some help from neighbours on the docks at VRC lifting the stove into the boat (Thank you Jonathon and Greg!). After some minor modifications, the stove fit beautifully and gimballed back-and-forth perfectly. And it is very shiny.

AND! No more propane sniffer alarm! 

The shiny new Force 10 3-burner installed

 

Video: gimballed stove heating up kettle while we sail across Strait of Georgia

Over-Crowded Desolation (July/August 2025)

 

Roscoe Bay: totally packed

Roscoe Bay: totally packed

Refuge Cove: Boats motoring around waiting to get fuel or groceries

Seriously overcrowded in the main anchorages (spilling over to crowd the "alternate" anchorages). Majority of boats are from the USA. Not everybody is respectful of others. 

 

We value uncrowded, wilderness-like anchorages. You won't find this in Desolation Sound area in July-August! That's why we go much farther north (even if the weather and waters are colder).