Well, Joaquin turned out to sea, but even so the tides rose to near record levels for several days in the Bay. We weathered most of the storm at our daughter's house, and Orion Jr found shelter there as we headed back to Hampton to check on Orion. By Tuesday (Oct. 6th), the tide levels were low enough that we could get back on board. We undid all the storm preparations to move back on board, only to repeat the process 10 days later just before heading out of town to pick up our new fifth wheel.
Orion's new compressor installed Is It Cold In There?
Why is there water in the bottom of the fridge?
That was the question Cathy was asking herself one afternoon early in September when she was reaching for a cold drink. It turned out that the freezer had defrosted and the temperature in the box was rising. After quickly rescuing the food and transferring it to Steve's boat, we started investigating the problem. The compressor wasn't running. The temperature control was fine. Could it be an electrical problem? All the wiring checked out OK. Thermostat? Dave bypassed it and still no compressor. It was time to call in the experts. In the meantime, we would just use the freezer/fridge from Orion Jr. No problem. Except that it wouldn't get cold either. Guess we'll need to look into that one later. Right now, it was time to focus on Orion.
Why is there water in the bottom of the fridge?
That was the question Cathy was asking herself one afternoon early in September when she was reaching for a cold drink. It turned out that the freezer had defrosted and the temperature in the box was rising. After quickly rescuing the food and transferring it to Steve's boat, we started investigating the problem. The compressor wasn't running. The temperature control was fine. Could it be an electrical problem? All the wiring checked out OK. Thermostat? Dave bypassed it and still no compressor. It was time to call in the experts. In the meantime, we would just use the freezer/fridge from Orion Jr. No problem. Except that it wouldn't get cold either. Guess we'll need to look into that one later. Right now, it was time to focus on Orion.
Todd pressurizing refrigeration It took little time for Todd from Dolphin Marine to diagnose the compressor had failed and needed to be replaced. It took a few weeks to come in, and we had several trips and a storm get in the way of scheduling the installation. Shortly after returning to Orion after the storm, we finally had Todd and his son back on board installing the new compressor. Once installed and recharged, the fridge got cold and stayed cold. We were able to back down the temperature control, since the fridge was working so well. Todd stayed in touch to ensure everything was OK and even stopped by once more to check it out for himself. We were able to run it for over a week before shutting it down for the season, and now we have something to promote when selling the boat.
Orion in her slip at Joys Marina More Boat Stuff
We had to pack up and shut down Orion, but before we left there were a few things to do.
When you lift the handle on the faucet, you expect water to flow. And on Orion, there is a distinctive sound of the fresh water pump. When lifting the handle produces only silence and air, there's a problem. It was quickly apparent that it was a wiring problem and, more specifically, a faulty fuseholder. Once it was replaced, no more problems, and the water was flowing.
Since Orion is still for sale, we had to leave her looking as good as possible. That meant taking our clutter off, and cleaning her inside and out. We had Jake dive on the boat on a chilly Saturday night just before heading out of town on Sunday. With the canvas stripped and stowed, the systems winterized, and the bottom cleaned, we checked the lines and walked down the dock one last time this season.
We had to pack up and shut down Orion, but before we left there were a few things to do.
When you lift the handle on the faucet, you expect water to flow. And on Orion, there is a distinctive sound of the fresh water pump. When lifting the handle produces only silence and air, there's a problem. It was quickly apparent that it was a wiring problem and, more specifically, a faulty fuseholder. Once it was replaced, no more problems, and the water was flowing.
Since Orion is still for sale, we had to leave her looking as good as possible. That meant taking our clutter off, and cleaning her inside and out. We had Jake dive on the boat on a chilly Saturday night just before heading out of town on Sunday. With the canvas stripped and stowed, the systems winterized, and the bottom cleaned, we checked the lines and walked down the dock one last time this season.
Before leaving Orion Jr sitting on her trailer in Jarratt, we had given her some attention as well. An ice scraper had fallen into the bilge and forced the float switch up during her transit to Jarratt. With the bilge pump running for 24 hours and no sun to charge the batteries, they were in serious need of a charge. Thanks to a very long extension cord, we were able to give the batteries a good charge for a couple of days. Also, one of the trailer side lights was out. Dave managed to install it during a rainy Saturday morning while at our daughter's. As for the leaks we had discovered on Jr, they would have to wait for another trip and hopefully, some dryer weather.
Public Piers full of boats from Snowbird Rendezvous Fall Migration
The Hampton Public Piers was full of boats about to head south again, thanks to the 3rd Annual Snowbird Rendezvous. That was a sign we should start thinking of doing the same. We had a chance to say goodbye to many of our friends at a party Steve and Linda held at his house on the Saturday before we left. The same day was also Cathy's birthday, so it became a dual celebration.
The next afternoon, we were packed up and headed out, but going north, not south. We had an appointment to pick up our RV in Falling Waters, WV.
The Hampton Public Piers was full of boats about to head south again, thanks to the 3rd Annual Snowbird Rendezvous. That was a sign we should start thinking of doing the same. We had a chance to say goodbye to many of our friends at a party Steve and Linda held at his house on the Saturday before we left. The same day was also Cathy's birthday, so it became a dual celebration.
The next afternoon, we were packed up and headed out, but going north, not south. We had an appointment to pick up our RV in Falling Waters, WV.
The birthday girl
