Thursday, May 21, 2009

Ups and Downs

Right then, first off...the generator saga.
We spent the dosh, did the work and still nothing so Portsmouth Celebration of Steam just didn't happen. All very sad and depressing, but we're offering anyone who waves a programme from the event under our noses a very cheap ticket for four quid. Moving on to lifting back in on the island, all went fine and then the wind happened....stuck in Island Harbour for a few days then. Still sad and depressing, oh when will the struggles ever end!! The generator issue looks to be complicated, so back on with the old auxiliary air cooled thingy and hope for the best. At least this way we know that we can at least run the boat-she simply must make money in the next couple of weeks or things might start to look bleak.
Anyway, last night we steamed up, went for a run up the river and.......perfection! Hoorah, she works! The new boiler feed system is holding up well, we've hydraulic tested it to over 350 psi and so far no probs. The economiser shows no sign of leaking, the condenser is giving us more vacuum than it ever has and the engine *seems* to be behaving (oh gawd where's my bit of lucky wood!!!!!?).
Monarch is now in Newport Harbour and has her first wedding trip this coming Saturday which is exciting, so fingers crossed for a great season.