Wednesday 11 July 2018

Found several bugs in the ointment on sea trial. Everyone should be bored to tears but us (or including us), but some are: leak in Panda raw water hose, leak in Yanmar fresh water hose, wind instrument direction arbitrarily wanders, boat speed reading extremely low, rudder sensor five degrees off, 3-way head valves frozen, SSB not transmitting (maybe), engine not revving properly and of course the water heater deal. Less than a week to fix all. No worries.

- Later

Back at the ranch, fixed speed reading, arranged for diesel work and Yanmar hose, chased tail futilely scrounging copper tape for SSB then blew it all off for late happy hour until tomorrow morning. So beautiful on anchor. Had forgotten. Marinas suck.

Friday

No mechanic because his wife out of town and we would have to babysit three small foster children while he worked. We don't do kids. Worked it out with verbal help and advice.

Monday

For a short time Saturday thought that in fact earth had become uninhabitable, i.e. we would be here awhile longer. Then discovered that it's only Darwin that's uninhabitable. Starter motor brushes were completely worn and was informed by Yanmar dealer that there are no replacements for them or for the entire motor (for a very common Yanmar engine) in all of Australia. Sent from Singapore it would be $1066 before shipping, taxes and duty and not get here for a week and a half. Diesel mechanic gave me a source in town for $601 all up. Fits good, works good, life again good. Same deal with engine leaks, which, besides in more than one hose, came from end cap on heat exchanger. No O-rings at dealer, but found one on boat. Wind transducer is buggered, but dealer in town had new - promised to someone else. Using best pitiful face got it and he will re-order for other guy. These are just the highlights.

Tuesday

Jannie's last shot, last conference, last visit to cancer center this morning. She's not too exquisitely happy. Long year and a half, now we're gone, never to return, ever.

After three weeks of playing Whack-a-Mole with interminable, unforeseen complications, boat is probably, mostly ready. Never got around to scrubbing topsides, cleaning deck or polishing stainless, but all important bits are working... for the moment.

One potential exception. Didn't get to SSB radio, sender of emails and this blog. If the thing works this twaddle will continue unabated, whether you like it or not. If not, writing will continue anyway and get mass dumped onto an innocent world when possible - probably Cocos Keeling in two weeks or so. You have been warned.

Jack