The Prodigal departs Sunday 8.7th

the Breadcrumb link to where we are:  THE SPOT.      If you want to follow along on the voyage.  In addition this link also tracks us: THE AIS.   (over in the left column is a 'track' link)  The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites. I cant tell yet which system is better for tracking us.  But, they are different.  the AIS system is automatic and the SPOT requires 'me' to hit a button at regular intervals.  (the spot has to then hit a satellite and i have to remember to hit the button)  so perhaps both trackers are worth a study?

PRODIGAL departs Sunday 8.7th.  REALLY!  It's been a very busy few weeks.  A special thanks to all my friends who have helped.  Thanks to those who wished me well and to those who helped with the actual lifting and toting.  Craig and Angela Yakel have been VERY instrumental in the preparations.  Thanks Angela!

 Also not to be missed, Dave Damm has been here helping and supplying much needed insight and moral support.  Remember what they say, "it takes a village to raise a kid."  And it's obvious it takes an entire marina to get me off the dock.  Also not to be forgotten, Craig's mother Diann Yakel sent me a lovely quote:  "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bow lines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover"  (i think Ken Yakel said this?  then Mark Twain stole the credit?)

*note the photo here.  The Marina office surprised me Friday with a party lunch up in the office.

  

You can read the sign and just feel the love!

Thanks Jennifer and Rachel.   xoxoxo  I'll miss U.

But it's not been all cocktails and parties every day....   here are some of the things working.

 

The fuel line that runs the lift pump to the #1 Injector needed replacing.

NOW it purrs like a kitten!

you probably cant tell it, but this took me 2 full days.  I couldn't figure out how to remove the 'factory bent' tube and get the new one factory bent replacement in.  i had to remove lots of 'engine crap' and then reassemble it.  (then find an error and do it again.)

So i'm at lunch with Dave and Sue and he says, "you should replace your primary fuel filters before we go and have plenty of spares on site."  (sure, what's that?)  it turned out i had some very nasty dirty Racor 500 primary filter containers.  i found them and repaired them.

 Another thing was sanding and painting the Racor 500 Primary fuel filters for the engines.  the canister had gotten a little rusty over the years and 'debris' had settled on the lids.  i cleaned and painted them, plus replaced the fuel filters with new ones.  (this didnt really take long because i was multi tasking)  At the same time i was turning a front closet into a pantry with shelves.  Angela helped with 'de-cluttering' the boat allowing me the space to install the shelves.

another thing was installing rails in the Head so that all my 'stuff' doesnt fly across the room.

Also i 'acquired' a new case for my LifeSling.  (thanks Peter!)  I installed this on the aft rail.

 i tested the SPOT today while were out running errands and buying diesel fuel.

 plus i tested the lights and we got all the stuff tied on deck.

This is a sample AIS track from today - out buying diesel.

IF you look closely you might see what looks like some confusion on this track?  (AIS track)  Especially at the slip.  When i TRIED to pull into my slip, i hit Gerry's house.  it's minimal damage, but sad that i was out driving my boat - and hit a house...   Gerry is / was my sushi buddy and i think he too now wants me to leave the Marina.  It's not easy being a Pirate some days!

Gotta sleep now.  6am will come early!   xo skip