Was delayed for a week. Frustrating but all good. Maybe tomorrow will come tomorrow. Like the sign in the bar says "free beer tomorrow"

Captain Gene, Mar-Marina, suggested I change the primary filter after running the motor some and before going on a big trip. I took his advice and changed the Raycor fuel filter on Wed., 2/22, the night before we were to leave on our first offshore sail. That went well and diesel started right away only to stop a few minutes later...no fuel! I did not bleed the lines thinking if I just changed the filter I would not have to. WRONG!

I know how to bleed a diesel, been doing it for years on my David Brown diesel tractor. No problem until this happened - UT OH!!!



Luckily we're in Gulfport - no problem. I called someone recommended to me by Gene. Call was answered the next morning and I'd get scheduled for service (at anchor) the next day. Tomorrow never happened...after repeated attempts. Bummer. Thought I'd give him the weekend.

As Friday wore on, I thought it'd be a good time to buy supplies for TARDIS. We walked to Wal-Mart, 1.8m as the crow flies. Turned out to be 5m around the bay walking. We UBER'd back...awesome!

With no call from the mechanic and low on water with no way to drive the boat to a dock to get it, off we wint to Maximo Marina by kayak to go Walmart again (short walk from there). Easy upwind ride 1.2nm away. Got our tanks, filled them and ran into our friends from THE YACHT RIGGER at the marina. Turned out this was the best thing to happen. STEVE Lloyd and his dad gave us a name to call of someone who lives in Gulfport for the motor.

Saturday I made another run for water. Nice man at Marina's Cove Marina accommodated me. Did this several times, buying ice and gasoline for the generator. Need to run it now to charge the batteries and run the water heater for a hot shower.



I also called "Matt" the Yanmar repairman. He was helpful, told me who to call and how to bleed after changing the parts. He could not help for 2 weeks however.

Monday morning Mastry Engine Works was called - extremely helpful. They are the US Yanmar distributor and only a $10 UBER away. By 1pm Monday I had the parts and all were installed and the diesel running by 5pm!!! New fuel lift pump, new primary filter, some bolts and seals and she ran beautifully.

Tuesday more topping off the tanks by kayak, this time with 5g of Diesel each trip too. TARDIS has full water tanks, an extra 14g of water and ready to go.

Off in the morning. The cover shot is of one of the best sunsets on board yet. We also had lots of meals at O'MADDY's and explored CLAM BAYOU, a recommendation by the nice Cleveland Zoo biologist Jerry we met at the bar.