Saturday 22 August 2015

Several days ago brand new Yamaha outboard exhibited lack of enthusiasm for running at either full speed or idle. Peek at in-line filter gave a hint and subsequent look into fuel tank revealed watery, rusty, mud. Yowzer! After dumping old fuel/water/rust mixture, cleaning rusty gauge assembly and purging hose, the thing would run OK, but still not idle. Finally, yesterday morning after deducing that a reliable outboard might occasionally prove useful, removed carburetor, pump and internal filter for disassembly and cleaning. Displaying incorrigible, but often ill-advised confidence that all parts would fit back in a logical manner, paid scant attention during this process. Although normally favoring restoring all parts that are removed, a little, rubber, 2-layer wedding cake looking piece discovered in work tray didn't fit anywhere except atop a jet which had been meticulously cleaned. Since plugging that up was manifestly absurd, slapped the entire operation back together as is to discover engine idled like a sewing machine. Way cool. Later, while motoring over to take friends ashore for exploring realized the thing wouldn't run any faster. Pshaw or naughtier words to that effect. Took carb back apart, put plug in jet and Bob's your uncle. One wonders if stopping one jet or the other is the only difference between a 9.8 HP and a 15, which is the same weight, but costs somewhat more. Perhaps the 15 plug is made of really, really expensive rubber.

Once finally able to get there, offshore stilt village was pretty cool. Only way on is via boat and probably awkward at low tide. Everything connected by walkways. Big place. Must be a several hundred houses. Pretty sure they haven't had a tsunami or cyclone through in awhile. Also investigated nearby land based village where purchase of 3 dozen eggs averted nascent panic after last one aboard was eaten for breakfast.

Now en route through a painted sea to Kroko Island, 10 NM north of Lewoleba (more common spelling), where reports indicate anchoring is excellent, diving is good, volcanos belch steam and breeze remains non-existent.

Jack