Fiona News Network

April 22nd- I started to stitch on the wheel cover, so far half done. See pics.   Despite was Ogden Nash said it was cold last night ; 30s.  I lit the last fire of the season, I think.    

 To quote the immortal words of Ogden Nash ; The Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, Time for boat maintenance it is.  Weeks yard turned on the fresh water hoping that freezing days and nights were over.   That means it is feasible to run the engine on the hard, so I...

On Monday the diesel mechanic took the injection pump off the engine, it will go to a specialist for a complete overhaul.  Minor jobs still in progress include replacing the smoke detector in the engine room and reinstalling the autopilot main unit, which was returned...

Eric sailed to Maine this fall with his friends the Lohre brothers, Chuck and Tom.  They took COVID tests, social distanced, and masked up.  Enjoy the digital photo album that Chuck and Tom put together from the trip.    

The diesel mechanic finally got to the boat last Monday. He carried out a compression test which the engine passed, so he judged it to be fundamentally sound. There is no doubt the engine ran better with the new exhaust system, but the engine still would not...

Happy Holidays!  Here is what Christmas is like aboard Fiona.  I have spent several Christmas’ aboard the boat.   My first was sailing back from Tahiti to Long Island in 1991/92 after Edith passed away.  For crew I had two young men, Chris and Pete, both in their...

Here is an update on Fiona maintenance. The diesel exhaust system has been completely replaced, right from the engine manifold to the thru hull fitting. Removing the lift tank and the old hoses resulted in the removal or destruction of 1. the bilge pump float switch...

Engine update;  'Nobby' Peers is looking at the engine.   The exhaust hose and lift tank were both worn out and we are in the process of replacing them.   Walter helped me to remove the old lift tank.  Here is a nice water color I bought in New Bedford on the way...