Current Position: 33° 55' 18" N 78° 3' 40" W
For those of who watch Chip and Joanna on "The Fixer-Upper", you have a clue as to my Title today. Every time Jason (our mechanic) says "Oh no!", or "oh my", or just groans, a few more dollars fly out of our pockets. He really is marvelous though and we keep telling ourselves - if we fix it now, it won't break out on the water. But we really would like to get out on the water SOMETIME!! The latest problem is some "elbows" that needed to be replaced (note from Bob: "elbows" are where the heated water from the heat exchanger -- like a car's radiator -- is shot into the stream of very hot exhaust gases -- a very hot, corrosive environment, so the elbows are high grade metals). Jason ordered the new ones only to find out that ours were custom made and it will take about two weeks to get them.
Update on the work: Jason has the engine torn apart and has most of the "little" stuff done -- many hoses replaced, oil and filters replaced, heat exchangers replaced, new alternators and belt tensioners installed etc. etc. etc. Ron has removed the first "head" in preparation for replacements and installed a salt wash down system for the anchor. We will have to leave the boat for a few days when the new heads are ready to be installed as the smell is supposedly unbearable. Luckily our anniversary is the 9th so that will be a good time to have a mini adventure. I'm in the process of researching interesting places to visit. The parts for the davit system to lift the new dingy are here waiting to be installed. The cabinet for our washer/dryer is nearly done. Much more expensive than planned but beautiful. Prayers appreciated for getting the washer/dryer on board as it weighs 150 lbs and needs to come up over the side of the boat through a narrow door. I'll have to video that one! Bob has replaced the "anchor light" which is on top of the mast. We pulled it down together - HEAVY!! He discovered that the wood on top was rotted so he cut it off and replaced it with PVC then installed the new LED light. Jason tried to help him raise the mast this morning only to find a weld was failing. We have a call into a welder now. What is the next shoe that will fall??
The good news is we are meeting all kinds of wonderful people here in the marina. Last night we had a wonderful visit with some future liveaboards on their gorgeous boat. They have an awesome grey African Parrot that talks. He was shy when we arrived but had quite a bit to say when we all left the room for a tour of the boat. He didn't like to be left out. They said that they didn't get to their boat until 11:30 the night before and the bird was very put out as his bed time is 9:00. He insisted "go - to - bed"! He told us "bye" when we left.
We have so much to be thankful for as our dream unfolds. We miss our friends and family dreadfully but look forward to the future as the adventure continues....
