There is Absolutely No Reason to Panic
24 June 2010 | Maeva Beach, Tahiti
Return to Tahiti
June 23
Alternator, despite ameliorative efforts yesterday, would not wake this morning. Sweet talk not having been effective, resorted to tough love (including sailor language) by unshipping unit while scowling menacingly. This, along with replacing a terminal that had separated from its wire, provided sufficient incentive, after reinstallation, to allow resumption of a its fruitful relationship with batteries and departure of whole shebang from Moorea to Tahiti.
Noticed, a few miles out of Papeete harbor, that cabin sole was awash in water. Initial taste indicated saltiness. To digress for a moment, fresh water can only come from onboard tanks. This is bad. Salt can only come from external sources. As the ocean has somewhat more water than inboard tankage, which is, as one may rightly infer, already in the boat and can therefore not sink it, this is really, really, really bad. Further scrutiny (this is not a naughty word) revealed head ankle deep in fresh water and pressure system hose adrift in shower. Restorative solution was affected posthaste, but cleanup is ongoing.
Providential preceding peril provided perfect pretense to proceed ashore, while cabin, head, rugs and various other bits dried, for mellowing utilization of locally brewed adult beverage. Boat is afloat as, after consumption of recently alluded to beverage, am I, weather is lovely and aforestated activity has occurred in the Windward Society Islands of French Polynesia. All in all, a nearly perfect day.
Jack