Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Plans CHANGE - NOT- going to Panama City tomorrow.

Good thing i'm retired and not just down here for a week of vacation, or i might be angry about having to wait on getting my Outboard back from the shop!  But now i can do more planning on future spots and do more boat cleanup and do more waiting....

Fortunately i DONT have any photos of me rowing the dingy with the oars - yet.  The kid from the Jet-ski rental took great pity on me and gave me a tow back to the boat.  (bless him)  Maybe he was tired of listening to me cry?  (note: i'm the second sailboat way off in the distance)
The Tohatsu 6hp Outboard has been running "hinky" since i got it off the deck in Destin.  It will idle, but when i try to accelerate it appears to choke.  Rod says it's the Carburetor.  The mechanic at the Tohatsu dealership says, "it sounds like the carburetor."  So, i decided to let the authorized mechanic get it running and next time i'll take a crack at it.  What i DONT want to do is leave here where a mechanic is one block from the dock to some unknown location which probably wont have any dealer and zero help.  Plus i dont want to tear it up.  (think ball bearings and bic pen spring)
Parked at WinnDixie.  my bike is the second from the right.  the black one.

Now my day is finally over and i'm so excited about going up on deck and bathing like a Frenchman in the cockpit.  It's very hot and sticky tonight.  Not a breath of wind.  I am super jazzed about a shower!  I road my bike to West Marine - 2 miles, - to Winn Dixie - across the street, to the city bridge - 1 mile, to Ace Hardware - 1/2 mile, to the Outboard repair shop - 1 mile and then finally got back to the boat, after being towed.  10a-4p and way too much sun and sweat.  At one point i ALMOST did the splits and fall into the water.  i was reaching way way out from the dock and trying to grab the dingy when the dock moved about an inch.  i had to jump into the dingy to keep from falling in the water.  (got lucky that time)

OK truth or dare, yes i DID stop and have a slice of coconut creme pie while i was out.  well heck yeah...   why not?  with all that riding, it's not going to ruin my girlish figure!

Now without the outboard i'm trapped aboard the boat.  so i'll do some other work here tomorrow.  I hope to have then engine back tomorrow late, or Friday for sure.

that's all i know.        -tired pirate skip