Destin - still

Well, i got the outboard back - and she runs!  

Thanks Gene @ A+ outboards.

I am not sure what is a fair price for knowledge?  But it was worth the money i paid Gene to learn the secrets of "how" before i got off somewhere alone and needed the answer and didnt have a teacher! He was very patient today showing me all the little secrets of what he did to get it going again.  I cant quite add outboard mechanic to my resume yet, but i'm a little closer.  Plus i'll sleep  better knowing.

On the way over - i rowed.  "Skippy row your boat ashore.... Hallelujah."  This one incident also reinforced my learning curve on what is a fair price to pay for a running outboard!

Now about that weather?  I'm unsure.  Tommy Bonds asked me what i'm doing about Gaston?  I replied, Gaston who?  It's kind of like the Olympics and the Election, and all the rest...  I'm out here on a boat.  I miss a lot of current events.  But a WEATHER situation i need to follow!  I need to know and plan and have lots of backup plans and preparation...   So Tommy, i got my outboard back.

i reckon i'll just stay put where i am.  no need to get out and find a worse location to weather in.  I have a protected anchorage and can sit tight here.  Plus there is the cancelled credit card to deal with. Earlier today i got a call from MasterCard asking me about some "apparent fraudulent charges.  Mr. Williams, did you charge $264 on Uber in San Francisco today?"  So they cancelled my card.  There was also a charge for $2,880 in NY the other day that is a fraud.  Now i'm on hold for my new card to arrive.  

 A local live-aboard sailboat.  One of the dock guys i know called this one a Dock Rat.

Obviously a handsome gentleman lives on this one!

I am already sore from my row.  If you know anything about Gaston, or Hurricanes, or how to use multiple anchors in 100+ mph winds, then feel free to write and share this info too.  The outboard guy didn't teach that today.

If you try to call and i dont answer, i am probably out doing fast circles in my dingy!  To "M.J." in the Filipino call center, for the MasterCard fraud line, i apologize for yelling.  (to the first two i hung up on - no apology needed)  It's been a stressful day.  Now i have no credit card and days of free time to shop....    Oh well, i guess i'll plan my next sailing adventure!

I hope your outboard is purring like a kitten for you.   warmest from the land of Gaston,  Capn Skip

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