Check-in message from PelagiaZOLEO ZOLEO Device Details Device: PelagiaZOLEO IMEI: 300434066100130 Message: I'm OK. My location is 50.1479, -124.95468 Check-in sent at: 14 Jul 2026 01:05:45 (UTC) View on map ZOLEO Inc.

Summer 2026: Vancouver to Bargain Bay (Pender Harbour)

This Summer, our "live" location (maybe 1/2 day behind) can be found here:       https://track.myzoleo.com/livelocation?se1aV0V8QD  

Finally! We got away for our Summer 2026 cruising... with our new engine! 

A little late (we usually leave in mid June). We "plan" on being out 6 weeks, at least getting up to the Broughtons.

Today, we left late (due to low tide), but made it up to Bargain Bay. Even managed an easy sail (SE winds) for about half of it. 

(On the way, we looked into Secret Cove to possibly anchor for the night, but locals had placed buoys -- not real "mooring" buoys -- and crab pots, making it uninviting to anchor. This is a problem throughout B.C.'s south coast. So we continued on to Bargain Bay, which was lovely.)

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!