We've had a couple of good days when it comes to getting things done and there has only been some minor bloodshed. First of all after three tries by Island Water World the dinghy is no longer taking on water. It seems the manufacturer (caribe) considers sealant on hulls optional! We took it from the marina to Jambe de Bois, planing most of the way there and back, pulled it out, opened the drain and just a few drips came out. Another success story was with the raw water pump on the engine. When we hit the water and started the motor it was dripping very steadily. It's old ( as in obsolete) so we were concerned that it may need to be replaced. Into the manual we go and onto the Internet. By the way we don't have a model number just the make. We have a schematic diagram, so we pulled it apart. The lip seal is gone. Nice to know but where do you find a new one. Since we use a Volvo-Penta impeller and they were referenced on Google they seemed to be the place to start. Finding them is the first step. It turns out they are about two blocks from the boatyard and in a residential area. After calling on the phone and getting no answer it was time for a walk. The place is a shipping container! Keeping the story short, it was cleverly divided into office an shop. The part number we had made no sense so we had to return the next day (yesterday) when the boss was there. Well we came back with the housing containing the seal, should have brought the shaft as well! Back to the boat. Back with all the parts. Low and behold they had just received a shipment of seals and they fit! So Egbert Charles of MarinTek cleaned up the parts and re-assembled the pump and only charged for the seals. We bought a spare. He did suggest that the pump was well worn and we should look for a replacement. We had already come to that conclusion. Back to the boat, install, run motor, PERFECT! Having prayed for favour in the morning we believe we received it along with considerable excercise hiking back and forth.
Now for the bloodshed part. While installing the pump and replacement hoses the lid over the engine compartment fell on the captain's head and drew blood. Not severely just enough to be annoying.
Otherwise the admiral has scrapped all the varnish with a chisel (it was that thick!, people must have a varnish fetish here!) Now we are going to rub the wood down with teak oil and see what happens. We are not so particular with the appearance of the wood. It's overrated on a plastic boat!
So today, Saturday, we hope to get out into the bay and start relaxing and reading up on how to operate our new equipment.
Brian
Saturday has come and gone and we are indeed in the bay. What a joy to be here! It was a beautiful afternoon and we anchored on our first try always an accomplishment. The evening was perfect light breezes and a starrry sky. We had a BBQ having found a butcher shop in the marina village that has beef as good or better than anything we have ever eaten. So wonderful first day in the bay. The sunset was great too although no green flash.
Sunday has turned out not quite so good so far. When we arrived in early Nov. the bed cushions had to be cleaned and came back smelling fresh and clean. But after a week as I was retucking the sheets around the cushions I found wetness under the middle section. That cushion must have not completely dried and gravity pulled the wetness down. We have it out in the sun trying to dodge the showers... one so far. That also meant the sheet was wet so today became laundry day.
The bay has been very busy this morning. The marina holds an event to mark the beginning of the ARC. That is a race from the Canary Islands starting Nov 22 and ending here in Rodney Bay. So this morning about 20 sailboats took off for a sail to Castries. Then a Clipper Ship ( a cruise line) arrived and anchored behind us and the general traffic generated from Sandles made for a very busy spot this morning. We spent some time finishing up tidying up the inside of the boat and hanging pictures we brought from home.
Lorna
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