Thrills and Spills

A few days ago the temperatures remained in the low 20s, coupled with 30+ knot winds.  Yet the diesel heaters were keeping up, and I was cozy.  But then a sharp 'thud' on the deck summoned me outside to see what had fallen / failed.

I stepped out and instantly regretted every single life choice that led to this moment.  My brain told me the sleet, a wet sleet at that, was impossible at these temperatures.  The sleet disregarded my opinion and renewed the assault in waves.  Cold, wet, gusting near 40 knots.  Every concerned 'but how do you stay warm' echoed in my mind.  Except this time I added my own voice to the chorus. 

My brain instantly queued Soundgarden lyrics, sung by Johnny Cash: ‘Too cold to start a fire I'm burning diesel, burning dinosaur bones ... And it's raining icepicks on your steel shore'.  The answer was to go inside as soon as possible.

I quickly located the source of the noise.  A downed line.  The good news is that it wasn't essential at dock, or for that matter when sailing.  One of many lines to fine tune the shape of the sail.  The bad news is that it has broken near the cleat on deck, and unwound from the pulley at the top of the mast.  It was stiffly draped over several docks and a neighboring boat.

The bad news is that the mast is 60' tall and about 70' above the waterline.  This spring I'm going to have to hoist myself up there, inspect the rigging and replace the line.  I could hire someone to do it, but these are the challenges that keep sailors young and healthy compared to their couch dwelling brothen..

I collected and coiled the line, then headed back inside to the cozy cabin and went to sleep.  A deep comfortable sleep.

That night should have been the coldest, most miserable night on board.  However, last night was more miserable, worse by far.  I'm not sure why either.  The temperature was in the 30’s, the wind was light and it wasn’t raining.  The heaters struggled and I added layers.  Sleep was fleeting.  I didn’t give the paradox much more thought.

Today I consulted the extended forecast and beheld warmer days ahead.  Spring is soon upon us and the danger of frozen pipes has passed. With that happy news I switched on the fresh water pump and was met with chaos. 

My decision to depower the water pump was validated.  The body of the valve from the water pump had ruptured, no doubt in the bitter cold of the past few weeks. Water poured everywhere.

I’ve never been fonder of my portable 18v wet/dry vac in my life.  It made quick work of the flood.

I stepped onto the deck to admire the dying light of the day and observed that F&P is frozen in the icepack.  Then it dawned on me, cold air doesn't conduct heat nearly as well as cold water.

Tonight I pre-heated the cabin to 80F.  Hopefully that will keep me warm.