And I thought all was well……
I last reported we were in Tallakshavn, looking forward to the rest of the season.
The sun shone and there was a small breeze next morning to waft us to Stavern, (58 60.0N 010 02.6E), to visit old friend Sven Rønne. His wife of 52 years had recently passed so he was rather sad, finding his place alone. We had a good chat over coffee and philosophised over life.
Stavern havn was empty and quiet, early in the season yet, but the diesel pump delivered and food was stocked in the Meny store just up the road.
Just look at that blue sky!
Replete in fuel tank and fridge, (working perfectly), we motored SE out to beyond the rocks-and-hindrances area of Rakkebåene and headed SW to Melbyfjord, (58 57.4N 009 38.2E), where neighbours Synnøve and Asbjørn have a summer place. Shallow, choppy water, small dingy with marginal freeboard, frenetic rowing by Synnøve brought us damp-footed ashore. Marvellous sheltered place with wonderful views of the Skagerakk. Synnøve produced a maxi-lunch. Later, back out to Josin, blustery wind ahead required dual-rowing on the oars to achieve progress. Interesting technique!
Course onward was to Stråholmen, (58 54.2N 009 38.E). Only a few n miles for motor against the wind, but long enough for the leakage problem to re-appear. Oh dear. What now.? More serious problem than first thought obviously. Much clicking on web pages revealed two possible sources of help; One back in Tønsberg, and the other near Kristiansand. So, logically, being in the right direction, to “Kristiansand Båt og Motor”, (58 07.0N 008 06.3E), where we got help last year. Took two days, mostly motoring, with bailing ca 5 liters of water from under the engine every half hour, including gymnastics to achieve access. Arrived sunday evening. Made and consumed a large dinner, followed by pump removal, this time much quicker and no harm to knuckles. Bearings were all sloppy so it wasn’t surprising that the seal had given up the task. New pump required.
This morning, at 08:05, I entered the spareparts department primed with pump partnumber gleaned from the web, and friendly Frode tasted up a pump, available tomorrow express. The price was astronomical, but “normal” for boat engine spares I suppose. At least I can justify it by almost guaranteeing a problem-free pump.
Rest of today has been spent pootling small tasks on Josin, mostly inside, as the summer had disappeared for a while. Sunshine back now.
Having installed the shiny new pump tomorrow, course will be set for Bredalsholmen, (58 06.6N 007 59.5E), just outside Kristiansund city, where there is lots of activity with veteran boats. Shall also visit family of my late-departed sailorvenn Svein Tangen.
Hopefully-optimisiticJohn.
Josin's 2026 blog 