Sunset is my favorite time. I love to stand in the cockpit holding onto
the dodger, and just look at the boat moving through the water,
especially when we are sailing into the sunset. Another favorite time is
at night, when there is enough moon to be able to see the sails and the
water all around. Today the sunset was all I like, and the moon lights
the sea around me, but it is just too darn cold to enjoy it. When does
it get warm? Inside the cabin it is comfortable. But I just pop topside,
look around to check things, then duck back down.
Today was one
of those days that makes sailing worthwhile. The sailing was good and
the sea almost calm. Very comfortable. I took the opportunity to trace
two leaks which have been bothering me. The easy one is that the source
of water in the bilge is one of the sink hoses dribbling. Not serious
and easy to fix, but to get to it I have to remove the motor box, which
takes some time and is very disruptive. I will live without hot &
cold running water until a good time to fix it. I will get water using
the foot pump that squirts water through a spout into the sink. The
other leak is more serious. A red colored oily liquid has been
accumulating in the bilge. There are three red oils onboard, kerosene,
red dyed diesel fuel, and transmission fluid. I traced it to the
transmission. It seems to be dripping from where the shift lever goes
into the housing. I don't think it is serious, but I have no idea how to
fix it. Do I have to remove the transmission? I don't even know how to
do that. I put a cup under where it is dripping to reduce the mess, and
add a little each day, but I only have one quart of extra and if I run
out I can't use the engine. Humm...
Right now I am offshore of
HIlton Head and will go about 50 nautical miles tonight. Then tomorrow
will go back inland because of contrary winds Friday night and Saturday,
not to mention rain. There is a circle around the moon. Rain. I hope it
is not too bad tomorrow. I don't know where I will go in, and don't
know till I get there where to anchor. I am still looking forward to
balmy tropical breezes, but tonight it sure seems like it is a long way
away. By the time I get there it will be time to come home. And it is
cold outside, and the winds are forecasted to be against me for several
days, and it is going to rain. And then rain again. But right now I am
warm, dry, the boat is moving nicely, there are some stars out (brrr)
and the sea is calm.
Bill
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