Lots of Boats, but no Wind
18 September 2018
This past weekend was the Newport Boat Show. Patti was in NYC visiting Pete and Michelle, as well as the kids, so I was on my own.
I left the house around 8 and drove through fog and gray skies to Newport. The skies parted suddenly at the Jamestown Bridge, and by the time I got to Newport, it was a bright, sunny day. Easton's Beach was empty except for a few surfers, but the parking lot for the show was already about half full. At the show, I scoped out some great boats (I do really like the Catalina 315) and picked up some new hardware for the outhaul. I also replaced my missing red jacket with a new Gill jacket. Probably the most I've ever spent on a coat. I'd better not lose it.
The next day, it was even more beautiful out, with sunny skies and temps in the 80's. Patti suggested we go to the boat in the afternoon. So we got there about 4, but there was no wind. None. Nevertheless, we decided to motor out and swim.
One big issue: the electric start on the engine was dead. I took a quick look at the electric panel, and saw that one switch was tripped on. The battery was completely dead. I did a pull start on the engine; I was encouraged to so by a conversation I had had with the Tohatsu reps at the Boat Show. They told me how easy it was to start with the cord. So I did. It was. Started on the second pull.
We anchored in the harbor (no more using other people's moorings after last time for me), put out the ladder and had a great swim. We then relaxed and read in the cockpit for an hour or so until we decided to head back.
Then I couldn't start the engine. I tried it with the choke first, which was probably a mistake. Five or six pulls later, I had to rest. I let it sit then tried again. Almost had it going once. I rested again. Patti wanted to call the tow company, but I got it going on the third set of pulls. Wow, that was quite a work out.
We took the battery home to charge it. No go. The charger quickly beeped and messaged "Replace or service battery". I think I'll go with replace.
A note about the toilet: I bought a new Thetford unit at West Marine. They price matched right there in the store (saved about $30), and I walked out of there with the new toilet and the hold down kit (that I had to buy separately). I went to the boat the next weekend and tried to install it. After about an hour of fiddling with it, I came to the conclusion that the hold down kit was a piece of crap. It wouldn't hold down the toilet at all; at best, it would keep it from moving backwards or forwards. Maybe. I put the whole kit and caboodle back in their boxes and returned it to West Marine.
I then went on line a couple of days ago and bought the latest incarnation of the same unit I have now from Defender. It is supposed to be delivered today. At least I know it works, it fits and the last one lasted 18 years.