11/19/2007, Solomons, MD
So the weather Gods were smiling upon today and we were able to get the engine pulled out the boat today. Around 8:00 this morning we were towed over to the lift bay and the crane arrived within a few minutes of us being moored. It was a four man operation with two riggers below, one on deck and the crane operator. Everything went as smoothly as possible and after three or four attempts the engine came through the hatch without leaving any scratches. The brackets the engine mounts to will have to be moved and then the engine bed can be painted and will be ready for the new engine. The exhaust system will have to be replaced, going from 2.5" to 3"
The boat isn't in total disarray but the is a definite "camping" feel when we hit the rack. The new engine might be in by the end of week after next if everything goes smoothly....knock wood. MB an I are going to hold up here over thanksgiving and have cornish game hens. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the updates.
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11/08/2007, Solomons, MD
Today Itineris' new engine arrived! It is Westerbeke 55C rated at 55 HP at 3000 RPM. It has a 160 AMP dual belt alternator that will keep the batteries topped off and allow the refer to keep the beer cold. It is a 3 HP increase from the current engine but is 3' shorter and 2' less wide. With the good access I have right now it will be even better with this new engine. Removal of the old engine will start on Monday and MB and I are getting as much stuff out of the way for good access as posssible. We hope to be out of here by the end of the month to continue our trip to Texas. We will likely spend Christmas in St. Augustine with my folks. Still undecided on making a straight jump to Corpus from Key West or take the ICW around. Were trying to collect as much information and weigh the pros and cons of each.
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11/04/2007, Maryland
Maribeth and I are 6 weeks into our trip although we have only traveled 4 of the 50 some odd days. We left New York on the 20th of September. My dad helped us do the overnight trip to Cape May. It was kinda fun being anchored out in front the Coast Guard base watching the new recruits get yelled at and having to do pushups. I commented to dad that for me to get to the northeast I had to join the Coast Guard and come through Cape May and to leave the north east I had to come through Cape May.... this time as a civillian and on my own boat! We caught a lucky tide to head up Deleware bay and after a bit of discussion and observation if 3-4 knot currents we decided not to anchor outside the C+D Canal but to proceed to a marina within. We left there and made our way to Annapolis MD. We had wonderful few days there until the night before we were going to leave our engine started acting up. We had crack in the fuel return line to the injection pump. After receiving the necessary part two days later we were on way. About five hours into our trip the same part broke! Frustrated beyond imagination we were able to continue on sailing to Solomon MD where we were towed in the last 3 miles of our trip. After a lengthy time of waiting for the part I made repairs and we were off... or so I thought. We headed out to go to Deltaville VA where some frineds have their boat. Not 3 miles from the marina we had to turn back. The engine was misbehaving and after inspection I realized I had really bad oil leak out of the front of the engine. After we moored up I could see that oil was coming out from/around the timing case. After professional diagnoses the engie had two bad seals a broken gear and needed a new slinger for the timing case. With repairs made we tested the engine.....wait for it....wait for it....blown head gasket! You should have seen the disapointment in my face. Attempted some quick fixes on the the head gasket but to no avail. SO........The right move is to repower and with the help of Maribeths family thats what were going to do. We will be here for another month and head south once Itineris has a new heart beat. God has funny way of changing plans several times over. Makes me think Yogi Berra should nominated for sainthood.
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