Yesterday I did a 'dinghy drift.'
(where you sit in your own small going-to-shore-boat and let it be blown by the wind.) My dinghy's outboard engine has been running 'rough' for a few days. It would idle rough and then choke and die when I tried to put it into gear...
*note: when you are on a mooring ball, your dinghy is the only way to reach shore. You leave your big boat and take your dinghy - via the outboard motor - to land. When your outboard wont run, you paddle.
My outboard is a 15hp Nissan that I bought last year for $300 cash over in the Bahamas. It RUNS fast when it gets going. (it screams. runs so fast it can scare me.) BUT it can choke out at low speed. It's the low speed idle and starting, engaging gear that causes it to stall out.
My view as I drift directly toward Prodigal
So, anyway I was on my way back to Prodigal after being on shore, and stopped off to visit some friends.
Jim and Linda from Canada. (they dont speak english, just Canadian. "Ay") Jim said he could help me 'work on the carburetor.' After stopping at their boat I decided since my outboard was running so rough and choking out,
I would just "drift" home. The wind was blowing pretty hard and directly toward Prodigal. It's just 4 rows of mooring balls away and down wind a few hundred yards.... (1/4 mile) Untie and let her drift home? We did OK and almost made it. I got within 20 feet of Prodigal. Could not start the outboard and drifted past. (damn) I slid up against the neighbors boat directly PAST MINE. Derrick came out and grabbed my line and tied me up to his boat. Then my neighbor on the other side, Rule from S/V September Winds came over on his dinghy and towed me home. One boat length, and embarrassed to be helpless. Oh well, it happens to everybody eventually. Now I have used one chit from my 'boat good deeds' locker. (I dont have many saved up)
Today I went back to Jim's boat, S/V Gypsea.
Jim was a lifesaving dinghy mechanic, teaching me how to clean and adjust the carb. (an outboard lifesaver) I am thrilled to now be an outboard mechanic too. I'm not just another pretty face! I'm a diesel mechanic, fiberglass repairman, outboard mechanic... All I need is a $4.70 can of Carb cleaner, a couple of screw drivers and a pair of pliers. Plus the KNOWLEDGE of 'how to.'
Thanks Jim for the 'How To.'
outboard mechanic, Skip
