Things are getting back to normal - whatever that is … not sure if I reported this but as we touched the Pacific waters - Companion actually did “cough” and spurt - we thought she was just getting her first gulp of her new home waters - actually we think it turned into pneumonia - ugh ….. major engine problems …. Starboard side quit totally and the Port side wasn’t happy either.
So we did what almost every cruiser that I know does - go up to the restaurant/bar and find other cruisers and start asking around for who does great engine work … well … we got lucky - Kenny Brazil to the rescue - not only did he fix the engines - but gave Dale lessons and instructions.
Starboard side - SYMPTOM --water in the diesel - drain out the water in the Racor and check the tank for water (none found - strange) then replaced fuel filters and drained off some more water - plus a good check - up … Where did the water (only in the starboard fuel) come from ? - bad diesel, condensation, or maybe all the rain we have had - so Dale re-caulked the filler pipe fitting with silicon and hope that will make a difference.
Port side - SYMPTONS -- a periodic whine from the belt and not spitting as much water; plus a little smoke, plus a leaky salt water pump … Kenny opened the salt water pump and found 3 broken blades on the impeller … Dale had a spare impeller so replacement was done and a new belt for the whining old belt. Companion is a happier now!!
(As you can tell Dale helped me write this portion ... a little to technical for me - but I do know what is happening and why - a HUGE improvement for me ... I will keep on learning!)
Of course - when one thing is fixed “another” causes issues … the day before Dale and Crew left Curacao he purchased one new AGM battery - because that was all they had in that country … in total we have 3 of these batteries that keep “the house” electricity ON! When one fails they all start to crash slowly … so now we are in the market for two new ones … Dale wants to keep his first mate happy and as long as she can have ice (and propane) - life is good on Companion! Kenny is battery shopping for us right now!!
We are filling our days waiting for Emily and Kyle - catching up on boat details …
Dale is making routes at the helm for future travels …
I am getting ready to restock the provisions - taking inventory and organizing … making sure there is enough of everything we could ever need on board … it is kind of fun now because whatever I purchase will come home with us if not used. So no worries .... we can live at this home forever! (well maybe?)
The toolkit is working overtime - fine-tuning all - Dale is becoming a real “grease monkey!” We need to get more degreaser to keep him and Companion clean!
Oh - gotta get out the Christmas decorations - then I will be ready for the holidays! Miss baking cookies ... but will make a trip to the bakery ...
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