At anchor Guichen Bay

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 6 Mar 2019 09:00

Position: 37 09.47 S  139 45.20 E
At anchor Guichen Bay
Wind: S, F4 – moderate breeze
Sea: slight. Swell: NW, 1 m.
Weather: mostly sunny, cool

The old BRM (it’s still bright red but is getting on to six years of age now) has been running a bit rough just lately and not delivering full power so, while in Robe, I did some troubleshooting and came to the conclusion that the fuel injection pump requires servicing. It would seem that the number one cylinder is not receiving any fuel at all which points to a failure of its associated injection valve. We tried to find a mechanic to fix it in Robe but unfortunately the injection pump requires specialist attention and there are no injection pump specialists anywhere near here.  Consequently, we will continue to Melbourne and have the engine fixed there.

To that end, this afternoon at high water I motored at low speed out of Robe harbour to anchor just off the breakwater. Tomorrow morning the wind is forecast to swing into the north so my plan is to get underway as soon as the breeze is strong enough to get Sylph moving and with enough  pressure in her sails so as to not roll too much in the swell that remains after the fresh southerly winds that have been blowing over the last couple of days.

For this leg of our voyage Sylph’s crew is down to the traditional two, i.e. a cat (ASC Oli) and me.  Kate has a wedding to attend back in Vincentia, NSW, and this morning caught a bus back to Adelaide,  By now should be winging her way back east to Sydney.  She will rejoin Sylph in Melbourne.

All is well.