June Operating Notes

  Hard Schedule Bid – The July Hard Schedule bid is coming up soon, please begin thinking about your trip preferences for the period September through February.  Each fractional owner will be contacted in seniority order and given a short window to get their personal use choices on the schedule.  Once all personal use weeks are scheduled, then any unused time can be turned over to charter in round two of the bid process for charter time.

o   Each owner can schedule up to two of their 5 weeks during this bid process.  

o   Weeks can be taken together or separately, but if taken separately, please allow two full weeks in between.  You do not have to take both or any weeks, you can choose to use your weeks via the rolling schedule if you choose.

o   A “week” includes any block of time that lands on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

There is a chance that Gateway II will be in operation by the September Boat’s Afloat Show, but without that being certain we have to block off show dates in September (11 - 17^th & 28 - 30). Bringing the next boat online will help create significant slack in the schedule, so please help us along by bringing friends and family into the program!

Sea Water Impellor – Gateway I’s cooling system draws in salt water from inside the starboard hull just below the water line.  An engine driven sea water impellor is what draws this water in.  The water is then moved through an aluminum heat exchanger where it is used to cool the engine coolant.  The engine coolant also has its own pump, but that impellor is much more reliable than the sea water impellor as it is not exposed to the possibility of running without water flow. 

While running the boat I immediately noticed that the temperature rose above 180 degrees.  First 185, then with higher power settings the temperature rose up to 190+.  When I returned to the marina it rose back to 190+ at idle – definitely not normal.  The good news is that Aspen designed the boat to have some water flow just from the pressure created on the inlet while the boat is in motion.  I called out our mechanic and sure enough the impellor blades were almost totally gone!

What could cause the sea water impellor to run without water?  Several things – remember that it is drawing in water pretty strongly, so things floating on or just under the surface can be drawn into the screen that covers its entrance.  Things like plastic garbage bags can be picked up quite easily and it only takes a few moments of running dry before damage to the rubber-like blades begins to occur.  Seaweed can also block the entrance, but that’s not likely while the boat is in motion.  A sure way to run the pump without water is to have the sea water intake handle closed (horizontal), which in this case it was in the proper (vertical) position.

The lesson here is to pay attention to the tempature… any temp above 180 degrees is not normal and should prompt an immediate investigation of the sea strainer, water intake handle, and it should generate a call to Gateway for help.  Also, if you are passing over debris in the water, try not to pass over it with the starboard hull if you have the choice. 

A spare sea water impellor now resides inside of the starboard oil/spare compartment.

Cutting Board – We are trying to keep one side of the stove’s wooden cutting boat in show condition.  I have now marked that side, “no cut this side.”  So if on an extended trip, please flip it over and remember that there are three plastic cutting boards under the sink, right side.

Boat mats – Please make sure to bring the Gateway Yacht blue mats inside the boat at night or if you’re leaving it unattended, that will help keep them nice, thank you.

Catering – we have been using Gere-a-Deli for catering, this is pretty easy, cost effective, and delicious!  You can examine their catering menu at their site and simply let us know what you would like and it will be waiting for you on the boat.

Kayaks are here!  Two very stable, very comfortable kayaks are now available for the boat.  They come with graphite paddles, paddle leashes, kayak life vests, and paddle gloves.

DIESEL Fuel – On a recent trip to Alderbrook Resort on Hood Canal, Connie and I stopped at a little marina called “Hood Canal Marina” just north of Alderbrook for some fuel.  Generally I avoid little, seldom used, marinas as you never know how old or what condition the fuel is in, but we wanted to make sure we had plenty for the return.

The attendant came out, turned on the pump and handed me a green hose without saying a word.  I noticed the pump handle was black and so I asked, “Diesel fuel, right?” 

“Ahh, no, that is unleaded… that boat take diesel?”

“Hmmm,” I replied.  “Aren’t diesel fuel hoses supposed to be green and unleaded black?”

Nothing but a blank stare in return…

Good thing I noticed and asked.  A good attendant will ask every time, especially if they are unfamiliar with the boat as this gentleman obviously was. 

Be careful out there!

May Operating Notes

      Credit Cards – For those looking to accumulate reward points/miles, we now accept all major credit cards… yes, even American Express.  Accepting cards is prompted primarily by the success of our charter business, it allows us to take deposit money and payment for that purpose.  If you would like for us to keep your card on file to cover your monthly management fee then please give us a call and we’ll get you set up.

    Cap Sante Summer fuel dock hours – Beginning June 1, we were informed that fuel dock hours will be extended from 4:30 to 6:00 PM (originally published as 6:30 on the Port of Anacortes site).

   Trim Usage – Experience is teaching some good techniques…

o   In smooth water the most efficient trim setting is to go full bow DOWN. 

o   With a little chop you may find that backing off full down a couple of LED light positions will provide a more comfortable ride without sacrificing much speed. 

o   In small rolling waves, or crossing a larger boat’s wake, you will find that preemptively moving to the ½ tab position will produce the smoothest crossing.

o   In heavy chop, larger waves, or very large wakes, it is best to remove all the trim in order to keep the bow as high as possible to prevent waves from slapping the bottom of the boat, and to keep water from coming over the bow.  This will decrease the boat’s efficiency and cause for higher fuel burn.  Keep large waves at 45 degrees to the bow if possible.

Fuel Balance – Remember to keep your fuel balanced by using the electric switch on the port side of the instrument panel.  A good technique is to burn ¼ tank from the Aux, then switch to the Main and burn ½ tank from there, thus always keeping them within ¼ tank of one another.  Diesel fuel weighs about 6.7 pounds per gallon – 80 gallons equals about 536 pounds!  (Also shoot to keep water in balance as well… water weighs even more, about 8 pounds a gallon – start adding grey water which is in the port hull and you can actually get the boat leaning to port).

Grill & Stove Use – Please notify us if you use the grill or stove, this will give us the chance to clean those items as we may not check them otherwise.  A good technique is to place notes on the yellow pad in the glove box – let us know what needs attention and if the boat is running out of anything that may need replacement.  You can also write down maintenance items there or in the green log book, but please make sure you bring maintenance items to our attention, thank you.

Day Trip Return Notification – Prior to departure please give us your best guess at a return time, but don’t feel obligated to meet that time unless we have to turn the boat for a next day trip.  Simply have fun and enjoy yourself without worry, but we would simply ask that you notify us if you’re going to be more than ½ hour early/late so that we can also not worry and can take care of the boat after you’ve arrived.

Bilge Pumps – There are seven bilge pumps on the boat, all have float switches to make them automatic.  The lights next to the switch will turn green if these pumps are running – the light is very difficult to see in daylight but will stand out in low light.  These float switches can fail, so if you hear something running, look for the light and report it to us.

Kicker Stowage – Remember to close the vent on the fuel cap and to also turn off the fuel switch before stowing (make sure to turn them on before start, or your arm will be sore like mine, LOL).  The Zodiac is great for exploring, just let me know if you would like it on the boat.  Kayaks are coming soon.

Anchor use – Please be careful as you reel in the anchor… as the rope ends and the chain is about to come aboard, slow the windlass and make sure it is taking the chain properly.  Again slow the windlass just prior to the anchor arriving so that it doesn’t bounce and strike the boat.  If you get a stuck anchor, try pulling from a different position, but do not cinch down on the windlass clutch as this could damage the boat.  If the anchor is stuck, it is far preferable to buy a new anchor than to experience damage.  A spare anchor will be on the boat for trips north, but not for operations within the local islands.

Remember, while in the marina idle is your friend!

Safe and Happy Boating, enjoy the beautiful weather!