Life in the Fast Lane: Pit Stop at Albany

Reader Note: I published two articles today. You will want to read "Yellow Flag on the Hudson" before reading this one.

This was an article that I had hoped that I would not have to write.  As of Tuesday at 11:00 PM, we have been down for maintenance for two days.  That said, we would have been down anyhow as much of the lock system on the Erie and Oswego Canals are closed due to high waters from last week's storm.

Here's the facts about the 64.  At 6:35 PM the starboard engine threw off a "Combined Failure Yellow Alarm."  We immediately contacted Justine at Pershing who put us in touch with an MTU engineer.  He gave us approval to continue with no speed restrictions.  We ran for three more hours to Castleton-on-Hudson. However, during that entire period we were plagued by a loud alarm.

Here's the facts about the Erie Canal as of Monday morning:

• Erie Locks 1- 6: Open
• Erie Locks 7 - 23: Closed due to high water for 4 to 5 days
• Oswego Locks 1-6: Closed due to high water for 4 to 5 days

Monday was spent arranging for diagnosis and repairs.  Lunch was a Teagan's just a few blocks from the yacht club.  Diana and I had eaten there in 2012.  Nothing had changed and it was still very good.  Following lunch, my fellow crew mates went to the market to reprovision while I returned to the boat to catch up on my blog. I spent a lovely half hour sitting on the yacht club's deck talking with Diana.  Then I returned to the boat to get down to blogging.

Just after getting on the boat I noticed a gentlemen standing by the swim platform.  I walked over and he asked if I was the captain.  He introduced himself as Gus and then proceeded to tell me that he had hit the 64.  He profusely apologized and handed me his insurance information.  What happened?  Gus explained that he was positioning his boat to turn into the fairway just north of Estremo when he lost control. Conditions at the time involved a northwest wind blowing him toward the boat as he headed north before turning east into the fairway.  The current was running south.  We later looked at his boat, a 32 foot Carver (circa 1980), and noticed the 64's gelcoat on the 32's starboard rub rail at the transom edge.  Without more information it's hard judge what happened.  My hat's off the Gus for his integrity.

Meanwhile the damage is superficial.  Some of it is just residue from the rubber rub rail and some may be a scratch.  Annoying but not a big deal and very easily repaired.

Chateau Talbot Saint- Julien 2000

Our wine was Chateau Talbot Saint Julien 2000.  Dinner was a Teagan's and it was exceptionally good.

The MTU technician, mike, from Atlantic Power Systems arrived at 8:30 on Tuesday morning and worked until 3:00 PM diagnosing the cause of the problem.

Downloading computer recorded faults

The rocker cover removed to get to the injector on the back cylinder

Part of the engine computer controls

Mike determined that an Engine Control Unit Governor on the starboard engine had gone bad causing one cylinder to intermittently not fire.  It took a series of tests and inspections to essentially eliminate all possible repairs that could be done ASAP.

The $5,000 Engine Control Unit Governor (under warranty of course)

The good news is that we now know exactly what is wrong.  The bad news is that, as of this writing, it is unclear as to whether the MTU can supply the part (which has a value of $5,000).  We think the part may be available in the US but will not know until 10:00 AM tomorrow.  Pershing is also working to get the part from Europe if necessary.

Tuesday night's wine was Chateau Margaux 1988, Premier Grand Cru, which is one of the five first growths in Bordeaux.  It was very good.

Chateau Margaux 1988

Dinner was at Capital American Eatery and Lounge over the bridge in Albany.  We ate alfresco.  It was very good.

Pearl Street in Albany

The restaurant.  We ate outside

Update as of Wednesday noon: The ECU is in stock and being shipped.  We expect installation tomorrow (Thursday).

Written by Les.