Week 1... ending in Sointula

Desolation Sound: Towards Prideaux Haven

We've made fast progress North. 

Ballet Bay on night 1, Then Prideaux Haven (Desolation Sound) for nights 2 and 3. We chose Prideaux to get out of the path of a southerly storm (winds 30-40 knots),  which worked well. 

Next was through Hole-in-the-Wall and Okisollo Rapids to Owen Bay (night 4). Caught the ebb up Johnstone Straight for most of the way, unfortunately no sailing, for night 5 in Port Harvey the Broughtons.  A couple short hops (Cutter Cove, night 6) and Mound Island anchorages (nights 6 and 7), and finally to Sointula (nights 8-10).

Since day 1, we have been struggling with a mechanical issue: the propeller shaft "stuffing box" (this is the link between the "inside"  and the "outside")  has not been dripping (as it should) and has been heating up. David has been adjusting it 1-2x per day. VERY frustrating because we had hired a mechanic in Nanaimo at Stone's Boatyard to repack the stuffing box. Clearly it was done wrong. In Sointula at the dock, David pulled the stuffing box nut off, and still little water came out (it should gush out!).  Clearly, it was time for help! David called a couple mechanics in Port McNeill and got a bit of a run-around,  with no real positive help (and timing that suggested waiting for a week to be even looked at)... they didn't really seemed to want to deal with this non-engine issue. It was looking depressing. Then a local marine electronics dealer suggested I walk over and talk to Tom at the Tarkanen  Marine Ways here in Sointula. Such a refreshing change. Somewhat shocked, they sent a mechanic over to the boat within an hour. 

The likely problem: mechanic in Nanaimo used the wrong packing size (too large) which stopped water dripping through (the slow dripping normally lubricates shaft/stuff box and keeps it cool). So, while Pelagia was still in the water (some suggested we'd need to be hauled out), Ken, the Tarkanen mechanic, pulled out the old too-large (1/4") now-burnt packing, and repacked with 3/16" packing. First tests indicates the stuffing box now staying cool. Fingers crossed. (REALLY angry that "professional" work in Nanaimo so screwed up!). 

After some stressful times, we've added a true "rest" day here Sointula, and will head over to Port McNeill tomorrow for provisions, fuel,  etc. 

Malcolm Island Harbour (Sointula)