THE ENGINE IS RUNNING!

She's RUNNING.

A big shout out to blog reader Doug Lester 

for helping to 'suss out' the fix.

Doug and Peggy Lester, Skip Xmas 2018

Doug is a cattle farmer in Valdosta GA, with diesel tractor engines, cows and an old friend from college.  He saw yesterdays blog post and reached out with all the knowledge I'm terribly short of.  (if we learn from our mistakes I'll have my honorary doctorate soon) After a phone call, shared photos, and numerous text messages we got it all done.
"Simple skip, just open the two screws on the injector pump, hand prime the lifter arm of the lift pump till bubbles stop bleeding from the screws and till fuel comes out.  then tighten the two screws, loosen the fuel injector lines off the injector pump and crank her up."  -Doug L.   ('my, how simple' -me)

It all worked and she started right up.  I'll let her run for five hours to insure it's all OK and then plan for our next leg of the adventure on toward Andros Island for check in.  We are still under quarantine now, flying our bright yellow flag.  (by law we cant go to shore or have any shore folk come here until after we check in with Customs agents.)  Our current Plan B is to leave this anchorage at noon tomorrow.  take an hour or so to run and test all - again - then proceed toward Andros Island and our check-in.  all good on board.  tonight pork chops with cabbage, plus some honey maple beans...  yum!

In the galley listening to Doug explain it all.

Hopefully the next leg is very boring!  

Happy Valentines to Everyone.

Diesel Engine mechanic Skip

ps. i did my nails this afternoon after work

At anchor in Bimini

DEPARTURE

the plan

the reality of our confusion...

We ended up sailing to Bimini instead of Andros Island.  (Like Columbus?)  Our plans didnt change, our boat did.  Prodigals engine died about 3 hrs from shore when we were Way Way out into the gulf stream.  pulled / swapped the fuel filter, bled the fuel lines and got it started again...  for about 3 minutes.   (I replaced 4 fuel filters and climed into the engine rm at least a dozen times.  all the while drifting north in the stream)  THEN we got it running and were hauling ass at about 8 knots, for exactly one hour.  Then she died and I couldnt get her going again.  decided to sail - BUT - it was too rough to climb on deck in the dark to try to raise them. (8' seas) so we drifted the WRONG way sliding north past the turn to Andros.  In the end we sailed to Bimini where we are at anchor for the night.  will TRY to find a diesel mechanic - or i'll become one - tomorrow.

As we limped into the tiny open unprotected harbor, we raced a storm front closing in on us.  We lost the race and Rick had to endure 30 knot winds and beating rain to drop the anchor.  Our visibility went to about 50 feet but the anchor held and we are thrilled to be anywhere!

 Ricks hot sweaty face

Midnight after working in the engine rm

Drinking a glass of RED wine and resting tonight.  not much sleep for anybody since we left. 

glad you can enjoy the trip from the comfort of home!  Ahh the relaxed lifestyle of the Pirate.

The morning after, eating breakfast and about to put on my diesel mechanic hat and start to figure out the engine....     

Happy Valentines Day!      

I hope your engine is humming along smoothly.

xo Pirate Skip