Josin’s 2023 cruise #4

There’s always a first time! Today, Josin had a tow, by efficient and friendly Svenske Sjøredning, ie the Swedish rescue service. The captain sent me his pic, kind.

Why? The engine refused to start, the startmotor had given up. It had been reluctant on the morning we left Tallakshavn, but after wriggling a thick cable or two, it cooperated and we headed for Missingen, (59 10.3 / 010 42.8). Ok there, but not at Kungsvikshamn, (58 59.8 / 011 07.7).
In depth diagnosis. Dud start motor. Nearest Volvo Penta dealer, Strømstad. Order new motor from Lars. “Kommer friday or monday”.

But, back a bit, The reason for Kungsvikshamn, just over the border in Sweden, was that grand daughter Hanne was busy filming for a TV series there, only a few hundred meters from the harbour, and she had invited me to come and watch if we were passing. Not quite sure what her title is, but she was organising everyone, lots of people, and everything, six cameras and several recorders, very competently and smoothly. Very impressive! Actual filming only happened part of the time. Hiccups and changing of minds and equipment issues took much more. But the sun shone and the whole crew seem to thrive under Hanne’s command.
In her free time she was an incredible help for me. Drove me to suitable places to buy needed starter motor associated things, and fetched me in the evening so we could have a very enjoyable powow and meal. And drove me back to the boat afterward!
This morning, after yet another forage-by-chauffeur, she returned to her duties and I waited for the wind to blow us out of the harbour. Without her incredible selfless help what could have been a catastrophy, became just a smooth process. What a girl!

Kungsvik: The filmsite is at the sandy beach which you can’t see behind the red hut. Harbour on the left of the picture.

The breeze came in from the right direction later this morning and we were able to sail very gently zigzag dingy-like avoiding boats at pontoons and out into clear water. The tow arrived when we had got about half way of the 5 N miles, and we almost surfed our way to Strømstad Marina, (58 58.6 / 011 09.8), where we docked with amusing confusion. (The tow was a sort of grown-up sea-scooter with lots of power through a waterjet, which at low speeds is not very manouverable with a four ton sailing boat tied alongside).
So, here we stay and wait for a start motor. In the mean time, I get to work replacing corroded cables and connections. They appeared from the hidden depths as various things were dismantled in order to get to the start motor. Must have been an undetected saltwater leak in the past.

Quite a cruise this one so far! The sun shines luckily and it is wonderfully warm.

All’s nearly well.

Josin-mechanic-John.