We're still at the Paris Landing State Park Marina. Yesterday was high winds and lots of rain, so we decided to stay put another night. We've covered about 900 of the 1500 miles to Mobile, AL in our first month. Since we don't want to get into the Gulf of Mexico until hurricane season is over (November 30), we've got a month to travel the remaining 600 miles.
But we didn't leave today either because of a minor malfunction. It seems that after running the Shingebiss minimal hours over the past few years, these past 100+ engine hours are bringing a few "bugs" to our attention. Steve discovered an exhaust leak, evidenced by an ugly black soot all over his beautiful new white Westerbeke. Unable to locate the source, he sprayed the engine and generator with bilge cleaner and hosed it off. He thought he'd look for it once we got out into the channel at cruising speed. But lo and behold, even at an idle he was able to see it bubbling ('cuz it was wet), where the turbocharger joins the exhaust hose. Removing this clamp revealed it was bad and we began the process of phoning marine shops, tractor shops, truck shops and car shops describing to them what we needed. This is no ordinary hose clamp, obviously. After about 8 calls we got lucky. Napa in Murray, KY about 20 miles away, open 'til noon had a clamp that sounded right. (why do breakdowns always happen on the weekend??)
We had made a friend in the marina, Ray Shannon, Jr, of Utica, IL. who has a lovely 40 foot Ocean Alexander trawler...and a CAR. Ray is delightful older gentleman who had told us if we needed anything to let him know, and so we did, and he promptly offered to drive us to Murray. The clamp was right and it's installed now. By this time it was afternoon, and the marina said they wouldn't even charge us for tonight. Ray wouldn't take the gas money we offered either, what a sweetheart, he was just glad to help a fellow boater. There's alot of that kind and helpful spirit out here on the waterways.
I don't know how folks do this who don't know how to fix stuff, I'm awfully glad I'm loopin' with Capt'n Steve. He's quite relaxed now that another crisis is past, he's taken about 3 naps today, it's good to see.
3 comments:
Happy Halloween ! Maybe you picked up some candy when you went to town. kathy e.
Great stuff, Liz! You've a good eye for detail a wonderful sense of perspective; I think you should one day collect all these blogs in a book about the Big Loop. Your daily missives are much better than those in "Honey Let's Buy a Boat."
I had lunch with Bob Draine last week and he said he ran into you in Sabula, Iowa earlier in your trip. Bob claims the best way to get across the Gulf is to hang out in waterfront bars and pick the brains of the local yachtsmen. Bob's made the crossing quite a few times and the technique has never failed him.
Jan and I look forward to your next dispatch. Keep up the good work!
Hello Liz and Steve,
I am enjoying your journey and hope that all continues to go safely. The little breakdowns make it more memorable :-).
The Vikings beat Green Bay today.
The weather allowed everyone to rake up leaves hopefully for the final time.
I will continue to follow your blog and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie
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