So we’ve been in Chicago for seven days now. We’ve learned how to dock the boat and how to drive with one engine since the starboard engine keeps cutting out. We suspect the problem is a fuel filter.
A fuel filter should be a relatively simple thing to replace if:
- You know what you’re doing.
- The fuel filter hasn’t been discontinued.
Neither of these things is true in our case. Normally we would call a mechanic in this situation. And we tried. No mechanics were willing to come out to the boat.
DAYS ONE AND TWO IN CHICAGO
As mentioned in our previous post, we arrived in Chicago early Saturday morning. Once the captain had left, we had a nap. When we finally left the boat to explore our surroundings, we met a fellow boater right away who told us the codes to the gate and pointed to where the washrooms were.
We scurried off in that direction, grateful for the information. We had not yet made a solid deposit in the head and wanted to make use of the Marine facilities.
.We had asked our fellow boater if there were any laundry facilities. She said no, which confirmed what the Marine website said about amenities. When we got to the washrooms, though, there was a door very clearly marked Laundry. When we opened it, there was a washing machine and dryer with lit-up dollar amounts, which would seem to indicate that the machines were working.
But, we relied on what we were told and did not test the machines.
Day Two was also a day of rest. We did a little walking and had a fabulous steak dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks Restaurant. When we walked in, they said they wouldn’t be able to serve us since we didn’t have a reservation. We joked around a bit, saying “Oh no. But we’re Canadian. We’ve come so far.” They ended up letting us in.
Greg and I both had steak and Matthew had salmon. The steaks might have been the best we’ve ever had.
DAY THREE IN CHICAGO
Day Three in Chicago was our first day of training. We got a refresher in some safety stuff like life jackets and right of way. Then we got down to docking. We had some really good practice. Well, Greg did. I didn’t want to drive yet. Our roles are going to be — Greg is the captain; Matthew when he is here is the first mate; I’m crew. I handle the lines and the galley.
I will have to learn how to drive the boat but I want Greg to teach me. He knows how I learn.
I also want to learn the systems, but that’s down the road.
We also learned how to pump out, gas up, and fill our water tank and perhaps put water into our fuel tank because on Day Four, all the problems started.
DAY FOUR IN CHICAGO
Day Four was very windy. We asked Captain Larry if we should have our daily training and he said yes. It’s good to learn how to handle adverse conditions. We agreed.
We didn’t learn how to deal with them, though, because this is the day that the starboard engine quit. We were in a narrow channel being blown sideways by the winds that were blowing 13 knots gusting to 20.
Larry got us to dock safely. We tried again. The engine cut out again. So, no more lessons today. We spent the rest of the day trying to get a mechanic to come and look at the boat but had absolutely no luck.
DAY FIVE IN CHICAGO
Day Five was mostly a day of rest. I had two goals: swab the deck and do some laundry.
I managed to speak to staff and found out that the laundry machines worked and were available to boaters. So I got my laundry done without having to leave the marina.
Greg and Matt went to a baseball game. When they were gone, I swabbed the deck.
Done and done.
Greg tested the engines later in the evening and they both started with no problem. So, Captain Larry said he would be there the next day.
Day Six in Chicago
We were going to practice anchoring and what to do when someone (probably me) falls overboard, but the starboard engine cut out again.
Captain Larry thought that might happen. He told us he wasn’t a mechanic but he could take a look at the fuel filter. He managed to do what needed to be done to remove it and it definitely needed replacing.
Unfortunately, the type of filter on the boat was discontinued so now we (meaning Greg and Captain Larry) had to find a substitute. They managed to find one and Captain Larry drove his car with Greg to the distributor.
They replaced the filter but that didn’t solve the problem.
Shoutout to Captain Larry. The man went above and beyond just regular training. He really tried to help us solve our problem
Day Seven in Chicago
This is our last day here.
Captain Larry gave us a few more suggestions as to what to the issue could be. We tried them but weren’t successful.
Tomorrow we have to leave as the Marina is full. We are going to head to Hammond Marina, which is 15 miles away.
Things We Learned
Greg learned how to dock with one engine. I learned how to tie a cleat hitch. I’m still not fast and I don’t get it right every time. I certainly hope that becomes second nature soon.
We also learned that we had to be careful when filling our water tanks not to get water in the fuel tank. It might not have happened, but there was one point when we were fueling up when water ran from the hose on to the deck where the fuel cap was. If it was not tight, there is a chance that water might have gotten in.
