Things that . . . Work: Paragon JR Water pump

This is a follow up to a prior post concerning house Water Pumps:

http://mvvikingstar.blogspot.com/2011/04/things-that-dont-really-work-jabsco.html

Pump and pressure tank - does take up more room then before.

As a summary, we had gone through two of the new 'smart' Jabsco variable speed water pumps - they just would fail after a short time on a Live Aboard vessel. It was too bad as the concept is brilliant, and worked very well (varying pump speed adjusting for demand). Maybe the newer designs work better, but I suspect much of what one finds in the 'marine' catalog these days recognize the fact that most recreational boats see perhaps 20 days of use a year - far different then what a full time boat will.

We installed this Paragon JR pump almost a year ago and I feel comfortable to declare it a Things that Work! With one modification - - -

Need to change out pressure switch.

The stock pressure switch is a weak point, causing way too much variation between the on/off cycles. Researching on the Internet called out this is a known issue. The solution is to go to a local supplier and purchase a standard water pump pressure switch - replacing the stock one. After doing this on Viking Star I have to say we can tell when the pump cycles (differences in pressure), but it is hardly noticeable and absolutely not an problem.

Couple of hints: make sure you get a switch that allows you to adjust the cut in AND cut out set points - open it up and look for two adjustment screws. What you need to do it set it for a rather small range (we have ours set for 25 and 30lbs) to get a seamless flow. And DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU HAVE A GAS POWERED BOAT - as domestic switches are not spark sealed. (the standard switch is..)

After using this pump for several months we are very happy with it. It flows well, is reliable, surprisingly much quieter, AND it is rebuildable! Wow.

Their downside: they cost a LOT. more then a Boat Buck. But they also show up in Surplus shops, we picked ours up for about what a new Jabsco variable speed pump would cost.

An additional followup - our backup house pump is now an old PAR style pump. The same pump I use to pickle the water maker!  And it also is one that can be taken apart, cleaned and put back together. AND that parts are available to allow for rebuilding if needed.

Things that - Work: Teflon Grease

Not sure if I should also put this under the Costs label or not as this is more about saving money then what works..  (Maybe I should create a label along the lines of 'Frugal', or 'Really Cheap Guy')

If you have even rebuilt your head, you know about the small plastic vial with the twist off top that contains Teflon Grease.  This is the stuff to use for lubing up all the sliding parts in your head.  You can also purchase a small tube of this stuff for a lot of $ at your local marine supply store.

What I did was go to a local hot-tub supply store and got a 5oz tube of Magic Lube.  This is the same stuff - Teflon based lube -  as supplied with the rebuild kits, but the 5oz tube cost me under $5.

And yes, it does work!

Note: have seen others talk about Super Lube brand as well - but it is a synthetic vs. Teflon... ymmv.

My Sailor

One of the greatest pleasures of our holiday trip to the Portland area was seeing my son for the first time since he left for Navy basic training last April.

During that time he did complete that basic training, he turned 21 and 'officially' became a man, and he has done well on his first session of schooling in the Nuke program, earning the rank of Petty Officer.

Can you tell I am a proud mama?

It was fun to hear stories of his earning the nickname 'Hello Kitty' from his instructor.  And how he enjoys teaching what he has learned, which helps him learn so much more.

It really does a mother's heart good to hear of another woman who gave up a first class airline seat for my son.  And to hear that on another flight Micah sat next to a 9-year-old girl who reminded him of his sisters, because she was picking on her little brother, and that she and Micah took turns playing on her DS game system.

He calls it a 'Dixie Cup'

Look at those long legs!

Micah and godson, Ranger

Micah:  Don't drool on my dress blues, kid!
Ranger:  Blues!  How come they are black, then?

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.  But it is looking like the Navy is a good place for my son to be.

Bath-tism

Last Sunday we were doubly blessed.  We returned to our home church to begin the New Year.

And Ranger Warren Tovey was baptized.

It was so touching to see the curiosity and enthusiasm Ryker had about the whole process, not only watching his little brother get 'bath-tized', but fully participating.

Costs for December

Yes, it is that time again.  To see how much it Costs to Cruise on Viking Star!

Again this month was a budget buster, and again the big box was medical. Though we did get to Costco and were able to purchase an entire years worth of medicine, at much lower overall cost.  (example, local purchased 30 day supply through the insurance company cost me $12.98.  A whole year of the SAME MEDS cost $29.97 at Costco - but only if I did not go through insurance.)

Maintenance is up a bit this month as well as I purchased Oil for the generator and main motor.  Also included are new seals and carbon bushings for the ParMax water pump.  (Great to have something that can actually be serviced!)

And communication reflects additional costs to purchase the Cell Phone amplifier, as well a data card for Canada - will try that one out this summer.

Finally, Moorage includes a yearly pass to Washington State Parks.

Moss on the deck, is this a sign?

Yesterday as we were leaving for our 'island tour' I noted a slight green haze on parts of the port aft deck.  Perhaps this is because that side gets little sun light, combined with the dinghy tending to drain off the aft coach roof to that area.

In any case I am taking it as a sign that a change might be in order.  After all, what does it say about a CRUISING boat which is starting to grow Moss???

(Sorry for no photo, it is raining today...)

San Juan Island, By Car

We rented a car by the week for our trip to the Portland area over the holidays, and we brought it back to Friday Harbor crammed full of the gatherings of the trip.  We have two more days on the rental, so this morning we set out to see the island!

Mona wasn't in her pasture; she must have been sleeping in.  Pig and Cow were out in their yard, next to a sign that declared 'Peace'.  Maybe we'll get a pictures of them tomorrow.

We had breakfast at the Lime Kiln Cafe in Roche Harbor.  Since Al declared that 'December doesn't count!' on our diet, and we haven't yet done our grocery shopping to get back on Phase One of the South Beach diet, our 'non-diet' has continued for one more day.  Al has coffee with several lovely, fresh, site-made donuts, and I have one with a bacon cheddar scramble, hash browns and toast.  (The scale liked ME this morning, so I don't feel guilty at all.)  Thank you, Allie, for the excellent service and the pleasant chat!

Next, we drove down the west side of the island, checking out Mitchell Bay and the Snug Harbor Resort, San Juan County Park, and did a quick drive through the Lime Kiln Lighthouse Whale Watch Park.  We will get a Discovery Pass and come back for a closer look tomorrow.

Al contemplates Canada, across Haro Strait

San Juan County Park

Click on this one!  The Olympic Mountains look like teeth.

Phone service was not excellent on this western coast of the island, so we drove on, closer to town as time for Al's work call of the day approached.  We considered just going to the grocery store where I could do the shopping while he worked, but then I realized we would also be going right past the animal shelter.  Though we had rubbed a very friendly kitty at the San Juan County Park, we have been looking forward to a visit to the shelter, and we had a few minutes before Al's call, so he got to pat a few too!

Most of the kitties were very glad for company, and I made an effort to pet EVERY ONE, though a few were too shy.  I am kind of glad that I wasn't 'shopping' because it would have been a very difficult decision to pick just one.  

Chico has been adopted, and is just waiting for his person to return from a trip to  go home.   I love  the 'heart patch' on his chest.  He had a very deep purr.

Marcello is on his second stay at the shelter.  He is easily the BIGGEST cat there, and  he knows the drill.  He followed me from room to room.  I wanted to take them ALL home to the boat.

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We took the road down to the Jackson Beach park owned by the Port of Friday Harbor.  Then continued around the point  to Shipyard Cove and stopped at the Jensen Shipyard, speaking with Alisa about the possibility of a haul out there next fall.  Also met Jim, who has traded emails with Al in the past, on a wood trawler newsgroup.

Tomorrow, we would like to return to the Lime Kiln lighthouse, and also go to  American Camp.