Week 2 +

As we sit in the local McDonalds and reflect back on the blessings the last week or so have bestowed on us, none is any more striking to me than our chance encounter with a ladybug on April 3. There  we sat, deciding what to do with our deflated (intentionally) liferaft.  It happend so fast, she appeared so suddenly, we were both left open-mouthed, and neither of us could even think to snap a photo.  Yet, once again, when we least expect it, a ladybug appears out of nowhere and we know that Shirley, Chrissy's Mom, the  woman that I have only come to know through the deeds and actions of her "three little birds", is looking out for us, and telling us that everything is gonna be ok.

The night before, we had ran our dinghy aground and had to paddle her ashore, and not being able to get it re-started, had to pull her out of the water and come back the next day to get her.  Thus began a sting of ups and downs as we get close to being able to begin this journey (the sailing part).

We were left with dinghy-envy after ours was allowing water through the floorboard.  We considered another pre-owned one, but decided to keep what we have and do some repairs.  That's today's biggest project.

Add caption

To begin at the end, we are so optimistic that today is the day that our Perkins 4-108 Diesel will be going again and will show that it starts readily so we can start the coutdown to departure from Marathon.  

Much has been done on the boat since we got here some 19 days ago.  The following picture is of Steve, one of the riggers, installing a steaming light for us.  They also installed a masthead anchor light, a wind vane, a VHF antennae, along with replacing a couple of rigging connectors that were cracked.  They tighened the rigging a bit and it's as good as it's going to get until we get home.  Check.

Add caption

Our VHF Radio is now in great shape and connected to a masthead antennae.

Add caption

Our friends at Home Depot were helpful in getting one of our fawcets to stop leaking.   Chrissy figured this one out and this one is ship shape again.

We have replaced fan belts, O-rings, hose clamp, the alternator and now the fuel pump on the engine.

Add caption

After some minor issues with our stove, we were able to get fire going again. Chrissy was a happy camper when I texted this picture to her.

Let there be flame

NOT on our Christmas card list

Marathon Diesel was kind enough to come over on short notice and check out our engine.  It had been slow to start.....slow to start.   After spending a bit of time taking out some injectors, looking at them, taking one to their shop, bringing it back to the Hoot, she fired up for the last time.   As we found out later, Cesar, their technician, put the wrong bolt in the top of the injector, metric vs standard, stripped the bolt and the threads in the injector, and left us dead in the water.   They refused to accept any responsibility and when they came back to look at it, spent  a few minutes and walked off the job.  Such is the life of trying to work with boat repair people.  So, we've spent much of the last week trying to get the engine running again.



To remedy this, and any future injector problems, Chrissy and I decided to have all the injectors professionally rebuilt by a shop in Ft. Lauderdale.  After 2 trips there (3 hours each way), we now have 4 brand new injectors leaving us brimming with optimism.

Aren't those fuel injectors a sight to behold?

One of our new friends, Brett, has been working for 2 years to restore Seventh Wave.  She set sail for the first time in a long while a few days ago.  They were so excited.

Seventh Wave

We have enjoyed some spectacular sunsets, meeting some new friends and also some of the marine live from in and around our dock.   We've even had a few really nice date nights, on and off the boat. I have no doubt that we are only scratching the surface of what we will see ahead.

One of the spectacular sunsets we've seen

Small canal close to our dock

Date night Eric Stone Band  at Dockside

Other friends we met ...Bill, John, Tom and Meghan had us over to their marina for dinner.  We had a really nice time, great dinner, hot showers, and a boat in their marina describes it the best.

Nirvana

Our chart plotter left a lot to be desired.  We have upgraded that as well, and the new one is ready to set sail, with touch controls, and the most current charts for coastal USA.  

Old Chart Plotter

While we have had some ups and downs, nothing like this poor guy.  Everyone lived so it could have been much worse.   It took them a few days to get the plane steadied, towed near the shore, and recovered from the water.  We are thankful each day and appreciative of the many blessings that we have.

How NOT to land your airplane

Chrissy enjoying some time in the Captain's chair

Yesterday was a really good day.  Our friend DJ helped us get the final injector installed.  We also got the new chart plotter connected.  We saw some wonderful marine life, the resident manatee, a spotted eagle ray, one of the many iguanas around the dock area along with the many large sea birds that we see constantly.   We celebrated with a date night at Dockside.

Today, we are hoping that our engine starts and the countdown to leaving this dock will officially start.   Cross your fingers for us.  We will let you know.