It almost looked like we would be making our planned northbound departure more or less on time. Now it is officially less even though our dock lease runs out the 30th, causing a bit of a problem.
For reasons not really clear, we had getting the Dink & Motor working task near the end of the list of things that had to be done before leaving the dock. Memories of dealing with the Merc on Kintala likely had something to do with our reluctance. We knew how to get the Dink up on the swim platform with the Weaver Snap Davits. All we had to do was figure out how to hoist and drop the Dink when the motor was attached to the Weaver Leaver system. The previous owner had worked hard to make a video explaining the process and put it on a flash drive for the new owner, but somewhere along the way the flash drive was lost. Once both Dink and Motor were in the water together, we had to get the motor running. Getting the motor out of its aft storage locker space, mounting it on the Dink, and figuring out how to get Dink and Motor up on the swim platform and secured took a full day. It was a bit like a Chinese puzzle. One has to tilt the motor, lean the motor on its port side, lever the leaned over motor up on its pivot, lift the Dink & Motor assembly onto to the platform, secure Dink and Motor with stabilizer bars, then drop the motor back to vertical. Several of those steps require care to insure that all fingers remain operable afterward. Also, without the motor, we could lever up the Dink onto the swim platform with a single four-to-one purchase. It wasn't easy but it was doable. But hang 80 plus pounds of 9.9 hp dink motor on the transom and there was no breaking the surface tension and getting the Dink up on its side without more oomph. Fortunately, we had a second four to one purchase left over from our years on Kintala. We also moved the anchor point for both purchases to the top of the flybridge ladder, giving us a much better angle for the pull. It is still a bit of an exercise to get the thing moving. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to do it more than once a day. But it is still less hassle than lifting a motor off the dink over open water and fixing it to the stern rail, then moving the dink to the bow, hoisting it up on the fore deck with a halyard, and lashing it down. Add in a rough anchorage, and it became a major task almost sure to leave a couple of bruises. It will be interesting to learn how this new set-up works when things get bumpy. Anyway...
With loading and unloading Dink and Motor mostly figured out, it was time to try and start the thing. After checking the oil level and attaching the fuel tank, I gave it a couple of feeble tries. My lack of enthusiasm was based on the fact that that shifter lever was frozen solid. I could see that the linkage was free down to the lower drive unit, and that's where all motion stopped. A short search on the web confirmed what I already knew, the only place this motor was going was to the nearest service department. Might as well let them make it run, and change the anodes, water pump, and do a compression check while they were at it. In for a few thousand pennies, in for a pound. (My poor opinion of outboard motors remains though, it must be admitted, it has been 4 years since the last time the Yamaha moved a piston.)
Our scheduling delay is mostly due to them being a busy shop in the middle of their busiest season. They can't get to our motor for more than a week, several days after our dock time runs out. That will leave us under paddle power to get to shore and back should we be anchored out. And, of course, there is some nasty weather due in at about that same time. Things that make you go “mmmm...” Find an empty slip we can rent? Hope for a spot on the free dock? Anchor out and hope for the best? (Never have we anchored this boat before. Doing so in the face on oncoming winds forecasted to touch 40 knots?) Option "1" seemed like the most workable. With a bit of searching Deb discovered that the next slip over was open for a couple of weeks so a deal was made. First thing this morning we went through the engine start check list, cranked up the motors, moved out of our slip, turned 90 degrees to port, and backed into the new parking place.
It is an aviation tradition that, when one does their first solo, one does three landings. This morning's move was the third time I have landed First Light successfully by backing her into a slip. So I finished my solo this morning and still get big grin on my face with how easy it is to put this thing exactly where I want it. Now, mind you, we chose to move first thing this morning because it was near dead calm with weather inbound over the next day or so. But three landings is three landings.
We have run the head and, much to my surprise, it operates exactly as advertised. It is a noisy thing though. I think everyone within 10 boat lengths will know someone on board has just taken a dump. Even more of a surprise the holding tank level indicator also appears to be working as advertised. All we had to do is realize that the "waste" label on the CB panel meant "head holding tank level".
Being back living on the boat has reminded me is that it is always a good idea to have plan (and a plan B), be it projects or weather. Tools, parts, chemicals, supplies, it is best to have them all on hand and accounted for before starting the work. And weather? A forecast for ugly weather is a well educated guess best handled with as many options as possible. But a part of any plan should be the sure knowledge that something is going to go wonky and mess up the plan. And when it does, well, that was just part of the plan.
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