September 13th To 18 th
Trip Length 35 nm
This is our last voyage for our 2018 PNW trip. We are laying water Dog up on the hard in La Conner at La Conner Maritime Services until May of 2019. Having the yard go over generator’s and clean raw water systems on mains. Like to get the raw water inter-coolers for main’s, genny’s, stabilizers and bow thruster cleaned and checked out every three years or so. I usually do this work myself but since we are not going to be near the boat until next year going to have the yard perform the work.
It was yet another easy cruise of 35 nm where we averaged 9 knots and arrived at La Conner Marina around 2 pm. We got a side tie on the inside of the dock to prevent getting hit by other boats fighting the current as happened at our last stop here.
We spent four day’s at the marina getting the boat ready to haul. Fresh water flushed out board engines, tied down covers, stowed fenders, changed oil in (2)mains and (2)genny’s etc over the four day’s. On the 18 th we moved the 100 ft or so over to the travel lift at La Conner Maritime Services and hauled Water Dog out.
Water Dog In Travel Lift 
Water Dog Being Moved to Cleaning Station
water dog At Cleaning Station
The Micron-66 bottom paint on the hull looks pretty good after being applied at Bay Marine in San Francisco Bay in the summer of 2017 to Sep 2018.
Water Dog Micron-66 Bottom
There was quite a bit of growth on the metal raw water intakes which where also painted with Micron-66. Not sure why more growth than the hulls but suspect the metal screens provide a better structure for growth.
Growth On Raw Water Intakes
Surprisingly did not see a temp increase on the engines with this amount of growth.
Main Engine Raw Water Intake
Bow thruster also had quite a bit of growth. It would seem that you get more growth in the San Juan area than San Francisco Bay.
Bow Thruster Barnacles
Had prop speed applied on last haul out but was not happy with it’s performance which shown below is just 5 months. Last time had primer and bottom paint applied in Florida which worked much better. After to talking to yard will try the cheap zinc spray coating this time.
Growth On Props With Prop-Speed
The zinc’s on Water Dog where new when we left San Francisco Bay in May and where almost gone when we pulled her out in Sep, only 5 months. Zinc’s have easily lasted 2 years before so not sure why so much more worn for this trip. We did do around 1200 nm so zincs on rudders may just be water wear from props but does not explain hull zincs. Will need to checl galvanic isolators on shore ground when we get back next year. We have isolation transformers on AC hot/neutral so dont suspect them.
Rudder Zincs almost All Gone