NT32 “Emma B” cruises PNW

[Durant F]

After much searching for a good one, this 32 (34) was purchased in MA last fall and shipped west to Bellingham. I came out in May to launch there and bring up into Canada to haul her out at her new home on Texada Island across from Powel River. Just arrived back and am prepping to launch this week, do some upgrades and begin to cruise.
These are great boats that I’m familiar with having owned and cruised one previously out here.
Love fall cruising as the anchorages are nearly empty, rates are lower and there’s more snow on the mountain tops.
Will post a few pictures once underway.

 

[twistedtree]

After much searching for a good one, this 32 (34) was purchased in MA last fall and shipped west to Bellingham. I came out in May to launch there and bring up into Canada to haul her out at her new home on Texada Island across from Powel River. Just arrived back and am prepping to launch this week, do some upgrades and begin to cruise.

These are great boats that I’m familiar with having owned and cruised one previously out here.

Love fall cruising as the anchorages are nearly empty, rates are lower and there’s more snow on the mountain tops.

Will post a few pictures once underway.

Congrats!

 

[Conrad]

Hey there Frank, welcome back to paradise! I'll be cruising Desolation off and on for the rest of the month so will keep an eye and ear open for Emma B. Will be great to catch up - it's been a while!
Otherwise still at the same berth on I dock.

 

[Durant F]

Hi Conrad
Yes, it’s been 2 years!
Hopefully in CR next week and will be there for a while getting a heater installed and new batteries.
See you along the way.

 

[Durant F]

Cleaned up, water filled, Emma B was launched at 2:30 today.
Always a bit nervous hitting that start button but the Cummins fired instantly!
Confidence inspiring!
A short run across the Strait and tied up at Powel River.
Beautiful sunny evening!
Nice to be afloat again.

 

[koliver]

Good to see you back in BC Frank! Let me know if you decide to head to the Gulf Islands. Not far from Texada.

 

[Comodave]

Congrats on your new boat. Beauty.

 

[Durant F]

Good to see you back in BC Frank! Let me know if you decide to head to the Gulf Islands. Not far from Texada.

Thanks.
Great to be back out.
I’ll be headed north after a heater install and full engine service.
Boat is prestine and runs extremely well. That said, you’re never 100% sure of previous maintenance so I’m doing a full service so I know what I’m starting off with.
Will be south later this fall.
Enjoy yourself

 

[Durant F]

Knowing I’d be anchored out a lot, new ground tackle was in order.
New chain, rode and anchor were purchased along with a new radar at Marine traders in Powel River. Headed across a flat calm Strait of Georgia to Campbell River where I’ve got a full engine service, new diesel heater and other miscellaneous upgrades booked for later in September.
The Cummins runs flawlessly but I want to know everything is up to date before I head north.
Was blessed to have two different humpback encounters on the way over.
Never gets old…
Felt a bit like “home” as both the tackle shop and marina had all my info and recognized me going in. I guess 2 seasons isn’t that long away…

 

[Durant F]

Switching to LED bulbs as I anchor out a lot.
Ok…. How the heck do you get at these bulbs to change them?
I’m afraid of prying too hard and breaking the lens.
There must be a simple way that eludes me?
Calling on those that have dealt with these before me

 

[CharlieO.]

does the very outer end of the fixture unscrew? Hold the ribbed part and unscrew the bottom ring holding the lense in? I can't tell if it looks like a seam there.

 

[Durant F]

No sir
Hopefully someone with the same fixtures kniws

 

[Durant F]

Another not so dumb question…
The bus heater isn’t blowing hot air, only cold.
I’ve looked at the obvious… no signs of a valve
Does anyone with a similar era Nordic Tug 32 know the answer?

 

[koliver]

Switching to LED bulbs as I anchor out a lot.
Ok…. How the heck do you get at these bulbs to change them?
I’m afraid of prying too hard and breaking the lens.
There must be a simple way that eludes me?
Calling on those that have dealt with these before me

Frank
If you are switching to LED, maybe removing the old fixtures using a somewhat more vigorous technique is required. New fixtures aren't that expensive.

In my motorhome I had fixtures with dead bulbs that I couldn't get open, tried everything I could think of, asked other owners of similar rigs, but never did get them open. When I sold the rig I told the buyer what I had tried and he was good with, if necessary, breaking them to get rid of them.

 

[guy with a boat]

I’ve had much better luck with new LED fixtures than I have had with putting LED bulbs into existing (non-LED) fixtures. Seems like I had to fiddle with or replace the LED bulbs at times when put into existing fixtures. The new fixtures made to be LED, if they last the first 90 days, seem to go on almost indefinitely.

Might be worth looking for some cost-effective new LED fixtures before you fully commit to the bulb option.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I've replaced 8 florescent fixtures with LED so far, more to come. Also (4) 12 volt filament (60 watt - 5 amps, burn marks on ceiling) with LED. Got a dozen more to address too.

I made custom adapters when there was no "wood" to secure to, cut new holes as needed. Well worth the effort.

 

[RCook]

Six years ago I replaced the g4 halogen bulbs in 11 lights like those in post #10 with LEDs. Looked up "g4 halogen LED replacement" to find them. 5-packs for $10-12 each. These cheap ones work well, except that they provide some interference/noise in VHF weather radio reception. In addition to using only a small fraction of the current burned by the halogens, they don't get hot. The halogens had begun to toast parts of the fixtures.

Don't recall exactly how I opened them up, but it wasn't difficult. I think I pried off the outer ring with the help of a flat tool, maybe a putty knife. Don't recall how the inner part and lens came off - unscrew it, maybe?

 

[Durant F]

Light bulb replacement mystery solved…
In the end, I pried off the big outer trim ring so I could unscrew the fixture.
Still no bulb access
There is in fact a small ring the snaps off just outside of the lense.
Not visible to my tired eyes, it pried off with a sharp knife.
Once the mystery was solved, the remaining fixtures were incredibly easy to swap out and the end result is a brighter light than the original bulbs.
Very happy with results.
Thanks to those that responded.

 

[Northern Spy]

Was that you I saw coming out of Lund last week? I was headed for Jack's. Jim at Marine Traders mentioned that there was another NT "in town". We'll have to meet up some day.

 

[Durant F]

Yep, that was me.
Jim knows from years of buying boat stuff…
I’m around all fall…. From Golf islands to Broughtons…
Enjoy yourself!
Keep in touch

 

[Northern Spy]

Sorry you saw Spy in such a poor state. She's looking better now.

 

[Durant F]

Lookin good! ?

 

[Durant F]

A few random pictures of the recent tour…
Vinyl siding at Heriot Bay Inn
Rain day at Lagoon Cove Marina
Falling leaves and Palms at Nancy’s Bakery Lund
Morning sun in VonDonop

 

[Durant F]

A few random pics from the last couple of weeks

 

[Durant F]

I’ve already put 100 hours on Emma B and as I am not familiar with the previous service records, thought a good “once over” was due as well as a few repairs and upgrades. She fires instantly and runs great, but want to know I’ve done the best I can before heading up to the Broughtons again late fall. This way, this “new to me” boat has a baseline for future service.
In the last few days:
Oil-filter
Fuel filter
Belt
Racor
Rudder seal adjustment
New vibration dampener (manual recommended)
New VHF antenna
New 120 shore power plug and new cord.
New Furuno wireless radar
Rebed port pilot house port
Rebed windlass
New Wabasto 55 diesel ducted heater (awesome!)

At launch earlier was:
new anchor, rode and chain
4-6 volt house batteries

Now I’m as confident as can be headed N in offseason.

 

[Durant F]

Sunny weather so after the Wabasto was installed and the “to do” list ticked off, I made a spur of the moment decision and ventured northward.
3-1/2 hours later I was anchored in Octopus Islands. This is one of my favourite places. Fantastic full moon… huge!
A little ice on the roof top never hindered progress
Next night was up Johnstone Strait a bit to anchor behind Turn Island in Turn Bay (just kitty corner from Chatham Point) First time in there and nice to find another overnight spot when playing the rapids and tides. Incredible moon! Pictures don’t do it justice!
Onward then up the Strait and into the Broughtons. Today was a beautiful afternoon at Lagoon Cove Marina. Only boat here. Had to have an ice cream treat.
I’m enjoying the sun as in a couple of days the rain will set in for a while.

 

[Northern Spy]

Great photos. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Durant F]

Northern Spy, I’ll be by Lund late next week. Are you around?

 

[Durant F]

Trip from Lagoon Cove, Broughtons, back to Heriot Bay inn.
Rafted to the derelict tug just before Whirlpool Rapids.
Light at Green Point.
Sea Lions at Gillards
Sun setting at “hole in the wall”
View from the helm in there too.
Headed back up to Octopus Islands as a blow is coming in.

 

[Durant F]

Even dull days are beautiful…..