Apalachicola - Tue at the Dock

They didn't have the part locally.  Supposed to arrive by noon tomorrow.  The packing gland on the rudder is leaking and needs to be replaced.  As the rudder swings side to side water flows into the boat.  (water in the boat, bad)  So you pull the old packing and put in new.  Yeah, right....     Except there is only one Marine Store (and it's not in Apalach, it's over the bridge on the little island) but they didnt have any stuffing.  So that project is on hold till noon.  Second is the leak in the hydraulic fittings.  We pulled out that 'Frankenstein' of connected parts and went to Ace Hardware to buy a new barrel and compression fitting. It just made since to replace the leaky one while it was all taken apart.  We also got some pipe dope to put on the threads to hopefully stop all the leaks there.  (also on hold)

It's being held in a vice while Kevin puts 'Gorilla torque' onto the fittings to insure they dont leak.  That plus the pipe dope should do it.  This should all go back together pretty quickly tomorrow when the Stuffing for the packing gland arrives.  ("should")  ha ha ha.

That's enough WORK talk.  Did i tell you that i had key lime pie for lunch-dessert yesterday?  I got the same entree.  (i wanted the Apalash Fried special but when i told her i was allergic to shrimp and leave them out, she refused to serve me that.  "honey that's the same grease.  i cant have you sick!")  I was NOT disappointing with either choice.

I wrote you yesterday that i was working in the Owl Restaurant. Well, i didnt tell you how incredible the food was.  OMG it was delicious.  I got the special: Triple Tail Fish with a citrus reduction, One large scallop, buttery vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh bread with parmesan cheese and olive oil.  A glass of Pinot Noir wine and a sour-cream pound cake with strawberries and strawberry drizzle.  (except i'm allergic to strawberries so they did chocolate.  *I think i should have taken the hit and had the strawberries?)  This stuff was so delicious!

 I was told Triple Tail is a white light flaky fish native to Florida.  (i had never heard of it)  

It's incredible just like they told me it would be.

stock photo

Then i rode my bike back across town to the marina for an Air-conditioned sleep!  It was a nice night and i'm already excited about what i'm going to cook for dinner and more sleep tonight...

Pirates can get tired too.  I hope they had all your boat parts today.   -Capn Skip