Killybegs to Gola - maintenance on the trot 04 June 2023

 

Lighthouse at western tip of Arranmore (Aran Island)

Left Killybegs at 06.00 in order to get to Gola (Island) before the forecast afternoon winds picked up real strength.  The run west from Killybegs was calm, sunny and extremely scenic - passing close to Slieve League.  All beautiful and something of a novelty for Susie and Mary to be up at that time.

 At Rathlin O’Birne Island we passed through the sound between it and the mainland and immediately started to pick up an Atlantic swell.  Within 10 minutes both engines started to lose power.  We reduced speed but they continued to slow on their own accord.  We could not continue.

Fortunately experience is a great thing.  We immediately recognised the symptoms of clogged fuel filters - the big Dennison filters we had first had problems with on the way into Campbeltown last year.  We changed them then, and again just before this round Ireland trip.  However it would appear that the very rough weather we encountered coming up from Inishbofin 3 days ago had stirred up a lot of muck in the fuel tanks and blocked the Dennisons again.

We immediately motored into the nearest sheltered bay - at Glencolumbkille - anchored, and got down into the engine room and changed the filters.  Because we have done this a couple of times recently it really didn’t take long.  Within half an hour we were on our way again, with engines running perfectly.  We felt pretty pleased with ourselves.

By the time we got to Arranmore lighthouse the wind had started to pick up and we had a lumpy (but not in the same league as three days ago) last hour to Gola.

Three views from the boat in the very small bay on the south side of Gola
that we have anchored in.  The bottom picture has Errigal in the distance.

Rather disappointingly we have taken in more water into our forward cabin, despite sealing several possible sources while we were in Killybegs.  Another possibility is the port window in the cabin, and so we took it apart and resealed it - nearly a two hour job.  Having taken it apart, we’re not convinced that it is the problem, so it seems likely that this is going to continue to be an issue.

Forward cabin port window in progress of repair (top)
and after repair (bottom)

Next on the list of maintenance was to replace our two Recor filters - the Dennisons clogging up has made us worried that we could have the same problem with the Recors.  So, we’ve changed them, and should now be secure for a long trip tomorrow. We’re planning to pass Tory Island, Malin Head, and on towards Rathlin.

Late this afternoon we have been joined in our very small bay by an Oban based
yacht that we have encountered a number of times during our trip up the
west coast, plus by a small yacht from Goteborg.
Cosy, but room enough.

Today’s boat bird list is not long (21 species) but it includes Great Skua, Skylark, Raven and Chough.  Bit of quality there!

Our route, including the running repairs call into Glencolumbkille.
































































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