Happy Hour at La Conner

We have traveled the Swinomish Channel several times and past the neat city of La Conner but have never stopped.  Today we decided to spend the weekend in La Conner.  The weather forecast was a bit unsettled for island hopping and anchoring out.  We want to try out our new Rocna 10 anchor.  It has been on our list since last year and moved to number one this week.  After seeing the standard anchor not set after 3 tries at Conover Cove and seeing a Rocna set on the first try last week, we bit the bullet.  West  Marine had one in stock and met our best online price.

We pulled into La Conner just about time for happy hour and were met by Roger Clark, a friend we met last year in Anacortes.  Roger and Janet are from Sequim and own a C-Dory Tomcat.

During happy hour we see "Restless" pass by.  This is a Ranger Tug R27 that was at Bellingham and was recently purchased by Clair and Richard Dinard who keep it here in La Conner.  I woke Jake up and he barked at their two Labs.

After Docking "Restless" Clair and Richard stopped by to say hello.

And here is Willie's Tug tucked in for the evening at La Conner sporting her new Rocna, no SS bling, just the standard galvanized version.

Ganges, Salt Spring Island

Willies Tug crossed into Canada yesterday via Bedwell Harbor with Moondance and Destiny.

It only took a phone call this time to clear customs.  Some of you may remember that the last time we came through during the Desolation Sound Cruise last year, we spent an hour or so on the dock waiting for customs officers to arrive from Sydney to check us out.

All in a row at Ganges.  Stocked up on wine and few perishables and now off to Conover Cove.  Hey Winslow check out Jake on the cockpit.

Finished up the day at dinner with a few of our friends and traveling companions.

Yanmar Recall

Day 2 of the Saga replacing the oil line of Willies Tug continues. 


Day 1 was started about 3:30 PM when the mechanic arrived from Cap Sante Marine Service. We spent the next couple of hours removing panels to even be able to see the line. Removing the wood and insulation sound panel at the front of the engine was easier once we realized that the vertical panel in the cave that has the 120vac outlet and 12volt outlet had to be removed first. The rest of the time was spent removing the offending line and talking about ways to assemble the end of the oil line with the turbo line and the 3 copper washers. It will definitely be a two man job. Luckily the competent mechanic Dale is an ex-US Marine of about the same vintage as I, and we get along fine. Consensus is that we will use a combination of coat hanger and gluing or sticking the washer that goes against the engine block. Then bringing the bottom of the oil line with the other two washers and the bolt assembled to the turbo line. The problem is that we can only get two fingers to the area either from the side or from the front. And the only way to see is to be at the front and guide the person at the side. Hopefully at the end of today, I can give you a report that all is well again with our beloved Willies Tug.

Walldog, Willie and Jake