Transmission Test is going well.

I'm at anchor off Elbow Cay, Hopetown and the Lighthouse.  The transmission test has gone very well.  Tomorrow i will test sail it a couple of miles south to Tahiti Beach.  More news later.

Prodigal at anchor in 10' of water, off Hope Town Lighthouse.

The NEW Transmission - INSTALLED

ZF Hurth 25M transmission installed.

New Transmission $2,357.23 from Transmission Marine, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale.  

To get it here, you need a Customs Broker and pay local tax of 7.5%, plus freight.  

That's another $500.  New Tranny - Priceless.

The new transmission arrived naked.  No paint, just raw metal.  I drug it over into a field across from the dock and put down a coat of primer then 2 coats of paint.  Today Ray and i installed it.  (Ray my 71 yoa neighbor)  I'm tired, bruised and sore from leaning down over the engine tightening bolts.  It has 8 bolts that hold a larger flange onto the Tranny, then 6 bigger bolts that hold the flange onto the engine and 4 more bolts holding the 9' drive shaft onto the other side of the transmission.  Lastly 4 bolts that hold the bearing on the other end of the drive shaft.  Finally 2 hex nuts hold the drip-less seal in place.  Put all that together and tighten to 20 ft lbs each.  The TRICK is twofold.  #1.) you are so bent over and almost out of reach lifting a hunk of steal at your finger tips.  #2.) you have to lift the hunk and 'blind' twist the entire thing till it lines up with the engine and magically slips in.   (note:  Ray has changed his transmission before and told me it took him an hour to get the "damn thing to just slide on.")

I got a few cuts on my arms from hitting other stuff on the motor and in the engine room, but no bruised knuckles.  (to you landlubbers, this is almost a miracle)  We fired up the engine and tested it.  It slipped into forward and reverse.  When this windy Norther blows through end of the week I'll be able to pull up the anchor and go out in the Sea of Abaco and really give it a big test and thorough run through.  It's a big day here on s/v Prodigal.  Now, what will break next?

I hope your transmission is working as well as mine!             

- Diesel Mechanic Skip

Sunrise, Sunset. Sunrise, Sunset. Switftly flow the days....

Tranny Trouble

My re-built transmission crapped out.

My transmission has been giving me some problems since i arrived in the Bahamas.  It has finally crapped out.  It wont go into forward gear.  Now, I know, I know, "why does a SAILboat need a transmission?  You should be sailing"....    Truth is, I have not used the sails yet since I left Florida.  Also I need to motor into and out of docks, diesel stations, Harbors, and anchorages, even if you sail all the time.  So bottom line - I need a new Transmission.  Now to deal with the Foreign Boat and the 'how to.'

I went to shore yesterday, to meet a Customs Officer to inquire about "a boat in transit and replacement parts."  But the customs guy threw me a wildcard.  I need a customs broker to work  the transaction through.  I cant just order the part and ship it...   So I found a customs broker and got all that info and paperwork.  *The Manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale will hand over the part to the customs broker, who will then SHIP it to Marsh Harbor.  Then I will go to the customs agent here and bring my $$$, passport, cruising permit, copy of the invoice.  Whereupon I will fill out reams of paperwork, pay a 7% tax and collect my part.

TODAY - this morning, I called the manufacturer in Ft. Lauderdale to order a 'NEW' in the box Transmission.  $2,300.US.   but, it will go into forward gear!  (*and has a warranty)  A re-built unit was $1,500. 

The customs broker guy says they ship via boat to arrive twice weekly.  I doubt I can make the Friday boat, but hope for the Tuesday boat.  Pirates!

So I have to slide back the drive shaft, drop the transmission, then somehow get it out of the engine room.  Receive the new one and reverse the process.  Easy Peasy.  It sits way down at the bottom of the engine, where you can barely reach.   Weighs about 40 lbs and is something you must have.

So, whats up with ya'll?          -skip

You meet some cool people out here.

There are some cool people out here.  A catamaran anchored by me the other day.  I decided to go over and say hi.  Turns out it was Curt and Karen Kimbel on their s/v Arctic Cat.  We visited for a minute or two and Curt mentioned he had a drone and could take an aerial photo of my boat for me.  YES PLEASE!  While Curt was down below getting his drone, Lynn - their guest for the week told me, "Curt is a famous skateboarder."  

So i looked Curt up on here, and here are some old shots from his past.

He got his drone set up and took some great shots for me.

Thanks for the great aerial photos Curt.  Cool drone buddy!     -Skip

Friday again? Does Time really fly?

It's been a clear brisk week here.  The Cold Fronts that hammered the Northeast US gave us temps at night in the low 60's and highs in the mid 70's.  Cold for here.  But delicious temps to me!

A Boat Day

A good book and some time to nap.  No walkabout and no massive bike ride today.  The local weatherman said, "chance of hail" and that is amazing to me.  I did see 46.2mph wind gusts registered on my gauge.  But no hail.  The boat is a little bouncy, rocking and breezy with one small hatch open between squalls.  I'm looking forward to cooking a great supper and then tomorrows exercise ashore!

-Water Logged Pirate Skip

Sunday and Daylight Savings Bike Ride

 It rained last night and early this morning.  Threatened to start again till early in the afternoon.  Nobody wanted to get off their boats and walk today.  So i rode the 'second road' and went way way up the coast and out to the shoreline.  It was pretty rocky and a nice long ride.