The Docteur Is In

Trust you have now determined the dates showing at the top of a blog post are not necessarily the dates I am writing about. Just to confirm, we have not been in Valleyfield for a week.

July 4 rose as a beautiful, warm day - calling all the boaters to head out to the cool of the water breezes. Sitting near the break wall, we see every boat, big and small, sail and power leave the marina. We think by noon all of the 400 slips must be empty!

I cancel our lock reservation for Beauharnois, pump up the dinghy and fenders and Harald tightens the rigging and does other odd jobs.

Robert “The Docteur” arrives at 12:30 and quickly determines the engine’s antifreeze was low. A bit embarrassed by this simple solution, it doesn’t help when he berates us for not having a complete understanding of our boat’s systems before we left the dock.

Having read other blogs and followed others on their long sailing journeys, we believed we had done so much more in preparation - including Harald taking a diesel engine course but only able to attend two sessions prior to Covid shutdown. We had a diesel mechanic overhaul the engine before we left Bowmanville and Harald has asked to be educated every time we’ve had a mechanic on board. I am very impressed by all he has learned and how he troubleshoots any problem. But our Pearson 36 with Yanmar engine does not have an antifreeze overflow tank. Seems like such a simple solution to alleviate stress!

We are told to check the level every day and Harald rigs up a temporary tank.

Big surprise when Robert starts the engine and a flood of black smoke fills the water with soot. He believes we have a fouled prop and he “doesn’t swim”. The angry boater yelling at us and taking photos, threatening to call the police doesn’t help our mood. Has the line cutter on our prop failed us? The smoke eventually clears and we use an entire bottle of dish soap to disperse the soot in the water. We pay Robert the $300 charge and hope for the best - just need to have a working engine to get us through the next 4 locks.

So why do I call him Docteur Robert? Because he told us he makes as much money as one.

Valleyfield did not disappoint! On a lovely, warm Sunday afternoon we think everyone with a car or a boat must have been out enjoying this pretty place. With some relief we walk the long walk around the basin with our first stop at Dairy Queen for some refreshing treats. The walk along the old canal is enjoyable: a marching band is performing in the park, boats are docked at the wall, diners delight in patios meals and the street is filled with cars.

A short stop at Metro for local beer and dish soap!