How many more B.O.A.T.S.?!

Today was no less than three trips to the diesel mechanic.  We were waiting for a box of Kubota parts to arrive via UPS, and to consult with Luis yet again and where we are at with Bessie.  In the process, he asked Donnie to remove the exhaust pipe that goes to the water muffler.

When we handed him the mess of nastiness in the foreground, in his very thick Cuban accent he said, "What the hell???"  Donnie had no trouble understanding him then!

In the background you see Bessie's many pieces and parts.  The copper looking tube on the left is the heat exchanger which already looks like new all cleaned up.  The Luis guy is very impressive and knowledgeable about diesels.  I think he took us on because he felt sorry for us (and my alligator tears) and he simply wanted the challenge.  You seldom see a marine Kubota diesel, and he works exclusively on Yanmar and Universal diesels.  His shop is quite impressive with these HUGE diesel engines laying in parts, and in various stages of being rebuilt and put back together.  Our Bessie didn't make it to the 'real' workroom....she's in the back shed!  He calls her a "little sewing machine".

This is Luis, giving Donnie and I another lesson on Bessie.  He's a very patient man. 

One of the things I found impressive, is that with each part he removed from Bessie, he took a picture along the way.  He showed us 'our file' of about 60 pics or so, and he pointed out to us the various problems he detected.  Most confounding to him was how freshwater, or rainwater, got all over the head.  He was really stumped over that, but he is convinced that it was this moisture that caused a hydrolock and caused the push rods to bend.  We knew exactly where the water came from....the scuppers that were stopped up last spring caused the cockpit to fill (which fritzed out our electronics and waterstained the cockpit table).  It's possible that the cockpit filled with green water to the point it leeched in under the port hatch which leads to the engine compartment.  Danny said when he pulled the 'tampons' on the scuppers this summer, it was a deluge of green water that came gushing out.  We then put her out for good as each time we tried to crank her, as we unknowingly sent moisture into Bessie which caused the hydrolock.  Even more upsetting, when all is said and done, the final bill will likely cost us about five B.O.A.T.S.  Holy cow, that hurt.  Nearly brought me to alligator tears again.  It's been so frustrating.  However to start over, with another make and model, would be double that, and it would be very involved trying to retrofit a Yanmar and all of it's hoses and connections into our engine compartment.  Gah.

The good news is he talks like he may have it all done and reinstalled by Friday of this week!  That is really good news :)  So, we now have the the head, the block, and the crankshaft plus three sleeves and other parts that are to be delivered to the machine shop in Miami at 8:00am tomorrow morning.  AIS for us will be 4:30am, otherwise we will get caught in rush hour traffic.  The plan is to hang out in Miami for the day, and wait for the call from the machine shop to come pick up Bessie.  I hope we can get back home in time to go to the movies with friends tomorrow evening, but that may be too optimistic.  We'll see what the day brings.  We also are trying to make a connection with Matt and Karie, our Bahamas boat buddies from last year while we are in Miami.  They are in the area waiting for a weather window to cross to Bahamas.  They won't be going any time this week as the wind is cranking out of the North all week long.  With the Gulfstream flowing North, any wind direction with an N in it (N, NE, NW) is a NO DEAL, as the Gulfstream will have standing waves, BIG standing waves.  No thanks!  It is cool here all this week, too, with the northerly wind.  It is steady a 15-20mph again tonight, and building. Marquesa is definitely rocking a bit at the moment...

The other deflating news was waking up to find the dinghy deflated, AGAIN.  Armed with $35 in additional supplies and a  new set of instructions and confidence, Cap'n tackled the project again.  I must say, when he was finished, the dink looked good as new.  The true test will be when we come home from Miami tomorrow.  I'm hoping she holds!  We priced new ones and we're looking at another $500-$1000+, depending on make/model.  Lord almighty, can we catch a break?! 

I managed to get the laundry done, (with the gracious help of Mamaw), got groceries, cleaned the boat, and fixed dinner tonight.  I guess the day wasn't a total loss.  It's so easy to get caught up in the problems and to-do lists, that I've become jaded to the fact I am in paradise, living a life most people can only dream of.  I am in need of an attitude adjustment.  I prayed in earnest this afternoon... and tomorrow is a new day.  

Not forty five minutes later, while visiting at Mamaw's, I got a text from my sister in law, Diane, that two manatees were in the canal behind her house.  Of course, I raced right over to see if they wanted to play :)

At first, they were on the far side of the canal.  But, I splashed my foot in the water, and over they came!

Well, hello, big girl :)

Here she was rolling under the hull of Kenny's boat.  He had Strikeforce serviced this morning, after yesterday's excitement.  Sadly, it died AGAIN as he pulled into Sister's Creek.  After a rest, she restarted, and didn't need a tow from Bryan; but he, too, is beyond frustrated with his boat at the moment, too.  We feel your pain, Kenny. :(

These were the same two manatees that were at Larry and Linda's the other night.  I soon as I started scratching their back with my foot, they barrel rolled for a belly rub. over. and. over. and. over. again.  As I played and baby talked these huge creatures, who acted like puppies, the still voice of God inside of me reminded me of how blessed I am.  I have no right to complain.  Ever.  I'm sorry, y'all. If any of you want to hightail it down here to catsit tomorrow, you're more than welcome.  Otherwise, the furry beast will be on house arrest while we are in Miami for the day.  Be very careful though, when you come in.  He is quite ferocious.  G'nite, y'all. :)