Trouble amongst Beauty



Approaching Sac Bay

From Rose Harbour, Got d’ Fever and Spirit Quest headed east to Hecate Strait where the seas were flat calm unlike the large swells experienced earlier in the week.  Turning northwest, we motored along the southern portion of Moresby Island reaching Juan Perez Sound where we tucked into Sac Bay for the night’s anchorage.  

Giant Jellyfish (Lion's Mane)

As we came into the bay, thousands of jellyfish speckled the water like stars at night in a three-dimensional world.  We also saw a few giant jellyfish (Lion’s Mane Jellyfish) as big as basketballs!  The mountains that surround the bay resemble a dinosaur with huge knobs of black and gray granite; and a waterfall seen through the trees was heard tumbling down the granite slopes.  

Spirit Quest Anchored in Sac Bay 

What a beautiful setting for a relaxing evening!  Jim and Anita had invited us to their boat for dinner and  chauffeured us over in their dinghy.  We appreciated the thoughtful dinner and the opportunity to get better acquainted with Jim and Anita who both have a background in commercial fishing.  

Got d' Fever Anchored in Sac Bay

We really enjoy their company and it’s always nice to have experienced boaters for a “buddy-boat.”  Having a buddy-boat worked especially well in Gwaii Haanas where anchorages often have rocky bottoms and the wind can blow, we always had someone to keep an eye on the boats at anchor while others went ashore.  In the morning we said our goodbyes and both boats headed north along Moresby Island making some sight-seeing stops along the way.  Got d’ Fever motored into several bays, including Kostan Inlet and Bigsby Inlet.  

Entering Bigsby Inlet

This stretch of water (Juan Perez Sound and Darwin Sound) is quite stunning with spectacular mountain peaks.  Next stop was Echo Harbour for a late lunch and some exploring by dinghy.  When we turned off the port engine, Leonard noticed a high oil pressure reading.  Engines can be damaged if run with a low oil pressure reading but we weren’t sure about consequences from a high oil pressure reading.  We theorized that the problem might be a defective oil pressure regulator valve or perhaps the electric sensor (“sender”) was simply malfunctioning.  

Bigsby Inlet Scenery

To determine what the problem might be, we did some tests:  with the key turned to the on position but not starting the engine, the oil PSI showed 0; after about 15 seconds the oil PSI started climbing to 30 PSI, a normal setting if the engine had been running.  When turning on the engine, the oil PSI was erratic and high; otherwise the engine was running fine.  We surmised it must be a faulty sensor.  

Juan Perez Sound (looking southeast)

Leonard had used an Ohm’s meter on the port engine’s sensor to check the amount of electrical resistance and compared that to the sensor on the starboard engine and confirmed that the sender or sensor was the problem.  We continued making our way north, motoring only with the starboard engine as a precaution, this may have been overly cautious, but rather be cautious than sorry until we could confirm our findings.  

Echo Harbour

In past years we hadn’t ever run on one engine over a long period of time so this was a good exercise.  It was reassuring to know we could get most anywhere on one engine.  With the port engine shut down, the prop would still be turning in the water; the ZF Hurth transmission on Got d’ Fever allows the prop to spin freely so no worries, but on some types of transmissions the prop must be tied down in this situation.  

Entering Crescent Bay off Darwin Sound

Once again, our InReach Delorme tracking device came in handy, we were able to text message MER in Seattle (John Deere Dealer) who quickly replied indicating that the problem most likely was with the sender (sensor).  Once we arrived back at Sandspit Harbour near Skidegate and Queen City, we would have internet and cell phone coverage to talk with MER directly.  Not wanting to miss one of the highlights in Darwin Sound, we took a short side trip into Crescent Bay, perhaps the most spectacular mountain scenery on Haida Gwaii.  

Crescent Bay

This winding, crescent shaped inlet has high peaks in all directions with a grassy meadow at the head of the bay and good shelter from the winds.  Although it was pleasant to take in the beautiful scenery, Leonard still had his mind on Got d’ Fever.  He likes challenges, but a challenge without an immediate solution can be worrisome.  After leaving Crescent Bay, we turned northeast through Logan Inlet, a channel which leads back to Hecate Strait.  We rounded Porter Head and tucked into Thurston Harbour on Talunkwan Island to anchor for the night.  Spirit Quest had also anchored here for their early morning departure across Hecate Strait to mainland British Columbia.  We would continue to Sandspit Harbour the following day but the decision to be made remained; should we have the senor unit part shipped to Haida Gwaii, or should we make the Hecate Strait crossing to Ketchikan where it’s easier to receive shipments and where mechanics are available?