Tuesday 12 Dec - Going Nowhere
The engine started acting up a few days ago. It normally idles nicely at 950 RPM. One morning it was idling while I pulled in the anchor, and when I finished it was just barely running, vibrating and jerking around at about 500 RPM. I increased the speed, and it will run at its normal idle RPM with the throttle advanced somewhat. To put it in gear I have to pull the lever back to the neutral position, then quickly advance the speed. Otherwise it will probably stop. With the throttle advanced it starts and runs, but it seems to me that it is not running as smoothly as it used to, but that may be my imagination.
The last time I was in Benner Bay, St Thomas, it was a nice protected lagoon. Since then a large marina has been built that takes up probably 2/3 of the available space. The relatively small anchoring area is filled with other boats, liveaboards and derelicts. I am outside the "harbour" area where the entrance channel starts. At the far end of the harbour area, at the tippy end, is a boatyard and waterside restaurant that has not changed. This is what is left of the romantic Virgin Islands of Fatty Goodlander. As a matter of fact I met him here, aboard "Wild Card", and he interviewed me for his weekly radio program. Well I went to that boatyard, as far as I can tell the only boatyard on the island, and found who may be the only diesel mechanic on the island. That is the good news. The bad news is that he is somewhat frustrated with his workload, and told me point blank that he is not accepting any more work for the rest of the week.
So here I sit. The good thing is that I have a dinghy landing, supermarket ashore, US Post Office, and think I can handle transportation. The bad things are that it is an uncomfortable, rolly, and boat wake anchorage, I am the only cruising boat here, all the rest are local week-end boats, and no internet. Another factor is that my engine is out of date and parts are not generally available. So once the mechanic identifies what is wrong it may take two weeks or more to find the part and get it here.
If there is any progress I will let you know.
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
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