Season 2023 Episode Three Launch and we are off

 Season 2023 Episode Three  Launch and we are off .

We think we are ready...

We even managed a better colour match

Oh, the mast head lights are not functional. Andrew from Annabel J went up with his multi meter and removed the two LED bulbs that were only partially functional + the wire seemed compromised. So back to the computer. A new sealed tri light and anchor light was not much more than replacing the two bulbs so that and new wire were ordered.

We met our pals Aidan and Anne for crab sandwich lunch and then for a drive to Innistigue for a walk, what a magical place. 

 Unicorn grazing peacefully 

Sally & Aidan 

 These arrive the next day at the boat yard...did we mention how wonderful the boat yard in New Ross is? The day the stuff arrived it was thunder storms and heavy shower's we thought our pal Andrew had gone home but he was waiting for us getting jobs done on their boat. So this time Michael used the cherry picker and he was able to work at a good height for working at the top of the mast.  Job done, Mora had arrived and was waiting for Andrew to go. 

 Andrew stringing new wire and installing our new mast head running and anchor light.

What wonderful people!

Noel is not good with heights and I'm not good with electrical wiring so this was a huge help. 

 

 Along side, my boots walked into spilled paint so guess who was not let on board till her boots were off!

Full of fuel, food and spares so we head off before high tide yet close to slack water. Heading down the Barrow river is very beautiful and pushing a bit against the tide did not slow us down much. 

 Under way passing the dry dock.

The Wexford muscle fishing boat Wings of the Morning exited the dry dock shortly behind us and over took us just before the railway bridge at cheek point. This is now pinned in the "Open" position which we as boaters find much better then having to telephone for an opening. 

 Wings of the morning thorough the locked open Barrow rail way bridge.  

Lovely sunny light breeze we considered stopping in Dunmore East but went on around the "Hook" to Kilmore Quay. 

 Happy skipper

 Hook light

All was going well, we got the Jib out and cleared the sheets of the mooring lines and set the jib cars. Not enough wind so furled it away an kept motoring. 

Then... 

UGH...

The engine stopped just like that after thirty three miles of no issues. We were at The Greater Saltee Island and under jib alone I was able to maintain about 2 knots of speed. Noel was doing everything he could think of to get the engine working. It seemed starved of fuel. After a supremely frustrating two hours he was spent and exhausted of ideas for what to try next. We at this point were sailing peacefully along at two knots running the range into the harbour. If you were ever going to sail into a small busy harbour this was the ideal speed. We could not raise the harbour master on the telephone nor the VHF so....we published a "Security" call on VHF channel 16. The coast guard responded and the life boat was dispatched. We were met at the harbour entrance and taken under tow. We think we may make the records for the shortest tow and quickest time from call to secured along side. The PR lady was delighted as she got the whole thing on her camera from the end of the pier. Her name is Elaine and joined us on board for a quick visit after we were tied up. 

What a way to start the season.

rnli.org › kilmore-quay-lifeboat-stationKilmore Quay Lifeboat Station - RNLI

Kilmore Quay Lifeboat Station. An all-weather lifeboat has launched from the rural fishing village of Kilmore Quay since 1847.

 Noel with the pick up at a loss as to what to do next. - Nicky the harbour master solved it by "Call Brian, he will sort you out."

Well we could not have picked a better place to have mechanical issues. 2014 we purchased a new Beta engine for Kalinka 1 and the mechanic that did the installation lives and works here in Kilmore Quay + its where John and Carol sail from so when Ron Ruadh gets launched she will be here too. 

 Brian's pump assembly got clear 118 Lts .of diesel in about 20 mins. Wonderful, he came with jugs and Josh.

 New larger welded pick up, hopefully no air leaks. 

Noel was hanging about Kilmore Quay while this was getting sorted I was able to head back to New Ross boat yard and help with raising the mast and putting on Ron Ruadh's sails. 

Loved doing this and had lots of fun, got teased about not leaving after we had left....

Wonder are we meant to get Kalinka 1 back to Canada or what?