They Yanked The Engine Yesterday

Let's see, today is Thursday.  Time goes by so quickly!

Tuesday, I pulled the Genset out of the engine room.  For the uninitiated, the engine on this boat weighs about 475 lbs.  The genset is about 225lbs.  The engine room is 32" long, 25" wide and about 48' high.  The engine compartment was divided into upper 1/3rd and lower 2/3rd.  I had to remove just a ton of tools and spares from the upper compartment, remove all of the flooring to the upper compartment, remove the bulkhead - fortunately all of this was designed to be removed - and then stuffed it all into half of the cabin!  What a disaster!  Renne' is not happy with me.  Then I had to disconnect all of the hoses and electrical connections, unbolt the genset, attach a block and tackle to the roof of the compartment and lift the genset out onto the floor.  Then I transferred the block and tackle to the boom and lifted the genset out to the cockpit, then readjusted the position and lifted and transferred it over to the dock. 

The engine is another story.  I let them do it.  It took 6 hours for them to pull the engine out of the engine compartment.  We left about that time, headed for Houston.  So they would have pulled it out of the cabin using a cherry picker crane.  Their instructions are to mount the engine, remove the head and the oil pan, then call the marine surveyor to come do his inspection to determine if the problem occurred because of my inactions or the engines failure.  We will find out more before the end of the week we hope.  The engine will be delivered by the middle of next week and we hope they will continue working today on replacing the exhaust system.

We are exhausted from this.  But as the saying goes:  This too will pass!!

Hey, See you on the docks this week for sundowners

JonNe'

Boca Chica to Marathon

Saturday morning about 0700 our friend, Jermann from the marina, came by in his fishing boat to lend us a hand in getting out of the the marina, through the channel and out in to deeper water.  Thanks Jermann and Ruth!!  Mike and Deb, we were thankful for your offer, but feel with the winds, a power boat vs a dinghy was the better part of valor. Thanks to you also!  We then sailed out over the reef, 5-1/2 miles out, and up to Marathon.

We were beginning to experience what Lin and Larry Pardy feel!  For those of you unfamiliar with the Pardy's, they are the patron saints of cruising in a sailboat.  They have been cruising for 35 years, around the world several times, all without an engine.  We picked up Tow Boat US about 7 miles out of Marathon at 4:30pm and they towed us into Marathon Boat Yard, arriving into the slip about 6:30pm.

By the time we got into the boat yard, we had time to do the paperwork with TowBoatUS and enjoy a beer in the cockpit.  As we passed a boat of 10 young college age guys coming into Marathon - they saw Renne' in the cockpit at the helm, and yelled over to her to come to a party at Hurricane's at 9pm - of course then I popped my head up from securing some lines on the deck - we both yelled thanks!  LOL!  We actually debated going, but that would have entailed a taxi both ways.  Instead we walked to Castaway's for dinner and had a wonderful meal of boneless Prime Rib, new potatoes, mixed veggies, and wonderful bread.  The two guys who helped dock us at the boat yard were there sitting at the bar.  The manager told us they were out there.  We walked by and thanked them for assisting us.  Guess we picked the place the locals go.  That was good.  We will go back soon.  Then left and walked back to the boat.  Fortunately, we caught the shuttle out to Highway One and saved half the walk back.  But there are no sidewalks on the highway, so we had to be very alert. 

Our challenge today is getting back to Boca Chica to pick up the car - searching for bus schedules to Key West while I write this.  HMMMM!

More later, see ya out on the docks for sundowners!!

Jon and Renne' (JonNe')

Leaving for Marathon tomorrow morning

Renne' is sewing new curtain covers for the shelves in the main cabin and has three of the four of them completed.  She has spent several days trying to get her Singer 604 (circa 1962) sewing machine to thread a bobbin.  Luckily, there is a former Pararigger here in the marina who sewed flight material for Navy aircrewmen for 25 years.  For a six-pack of Bud, he came over, showed us how go align the bobbin ring, found a spring that had become disconnected, and she is up and running.  It is good to see her occupied on a new hobby.  She has been writing, and as long as we are in port, she is hoping to spend an hour a day writing on her new book, The King's Payload.

I had to file for an automatic extension on income tax today.  We were a Sub-Chapter S corporation, and when I closed the business in January, I also closed my checking account.  I didn't realize I was not going to be able to get into my accounting data for taxes.  So I also had to send a formal request to reopen that information today.  Hopefully, by the time we get back to Houston at the end of this month, we can get both personal and corporate taxes done in a semblance of reasonable time.

I am reading a book that R received the other day. A Cruising Woman's Advisor, by Diana Jesse.  Always the inquirer into how to keep our marriage ticking along, I wanted to read something on a woman's point of view regarding this adventure.  We are both fortunate to look upon this as a great adventure and we look forward to exploration and new discoveries.  If it is a year or 10 years we plan to take it one day at a time.  Our frustration regarding this current engine and the cost of replacing it has been daunting for the past two weeks.  We were not expecting this type of expense at all, let alone a month into our cruising.  We realize we were late getting started this year and want to be someplace safe for hurricane season.  We think probably somewhere north of Florida will put us somewhere covered by insurance, but we also want JonNe' safe.  We really enjoy meeting people here in Key West and will miss it when we leave.  We will be in Marathon for about three weeks, but will come back down here until sometime in June.  Marathon has things to do and places to go snorkeling. 

I packed up the bicycles this morning, put them on the boat deck.  I have to secure the forward V-Berth as it has gotten rather haphazard in the past few weeks.  Renne' just called me in to see the results of her project, and I am delighted with the results.  They cover the shelves, so they fill Renne's requirements to have cupboard and locker doors always closed, and they are a great matching color.

Oh the exciting thing - we have several dock neighbors who have wireless battery operated door chimes - button on a post on the dock and the chime on the boat.  As we are pointed bow into the dock, it is neigh impossible to hear anyone beating on the boat to gain our attention.  So yesterday, R and I went in to Home Depot and bought one.  I installed it and drilled holes for screws in our boarding steps and cut an arrow out of some adhesive backed material (black) so someone will see the button as they approach the steps.  We also received a second door bell button from a neighbor which I will install in the cockpit.  Kent, Renne' and I found when we were offshore, it is almost impossible to hear someone shouting from the cockpit.  So now we can ring the door chime and occupants below should be able to hear it and come top-side.  Great idea if I do say so myself!!

So much for the rambling today.  See ya out on the docks

JonNe'

We have COMMITTED!!

Today we signed the agreement to purchase and replace the Perkins 4-108 engine and replace it with a new Yanmar 4JH5E - 54hp diesel engine.  I have been monitoring a couple who are finishing up the last 1,000 miles of a six-year circumnavigation in their Tayana 42 Center Cockpit sailboat (exactly like ours).  One week after departing Long Island Sound at the beginning of their circumnavigation, they had to pull into port in Virginia and chose to replace their tired Perkins 4-108 the same Yanmar engine.  I emailed them about the engine and received a glowing report regarding this engine - 5000 engine hours later, zero difficulties - change oil every 150-200 hours and they have not had one single episode with their engine.  Given that and the fact that Yanmar is the preferred engine being installed in most new sailboats today, we decided this was the decision that was correct for us too.  Thanks Handley's and the rest of you who have been so good to us in making this decision!!

We will move the boat to Marathon Key probably over this next weekend, April 16-17, so it will be there while we return to Houston for the Concours de Elegance Keels and Wheels Classic Auto/Boat Show at Lakewood Yacht Club in Kemah, TX.  I have a bit of work to do once we get the boat up there, but I can accomplish that in the slip there as well as here.  The challenge will be getting JonNe' out of the slip and moved to open water where we can sail her to Marathon Key.  At that time, I will probably set anchor and decide how to pull her into the Boat Yard from there.  I have some research to do at this point.  Our dinghy may come in real handy at this point!!

Until then there is a lot to do.  We will keep you up to date as we go along.  After the initial shock of what this will cost, we are both excited about getting through this and moving on with our cruising plans.  We will be back in Key West for the balance of May and possibly into June.  We have to figure that out at this point.

Mark and Judy Handley, http://www.handleysail.com/
Marathon Boat Yard, 230-20th Street, Marathon, FL, 33050  305-743-6341 - Bruce
Yanmar America Corporation, http://www.yanmar.com/




Renne' and I will see you out on the dock for sundowners!

JonNe'

Sunset Last Night

We really are lucky to be in a place where you can watch a sunset this beautiful.  Our docks are just off to the right beyond the scope of the picture.  I am standing on the beach here at the Naval Air Station.  Renne' and I were at the bar last night with new friends.  I finally relented and got my guitar out about 8pm.  We sang all my old favorites - mostly folk songs - until we closed the bar down at about 11:00.  We were singing in loud voices, enjoying ourselves, and drinking a lot more than we should have for folks who are trying to lose weight!!!!

Yesterday and Today

We finally took the time to get my new phone.  Here in the Florida Keys, K-Mart has a lock on the market.  The arrangement with the local city council is that WalMart is NOT allowed in the Keys as long as K-Mart is here.  Now I will tell you, K-Mart is NOT WalMart!!  By any stretch of the imagination.  The problem is, our phone service is with Family Mobile.  Who would have thunk that the nearest Walmart would be 100 miles away.  So we had to drive north to Florida City, just south of Miami, to get the simcard and new phone.  For those of you who have not heard, my new phone number is 281-301-9592.  Renne's stays the same.  So we were also looking for new wheel covers for the Camry.  Would you believe these are 16-1/2" wheel rims and you can't buy those even at Wally World!!  So we will have to order a set.  Looks kinda funky running around with only 3 on the car.  Who knows where the 4th fell off.

TRES BLONDES

Renne' and I met up with two other couples at Sunset Pier, just off Mallory Square.  As one of the guys is the Captain for the Glass Bottomed Boat, we all met about 9:30pm.  Renne' had a minor surgical procedure yesterday so she was a bit uncomfortable, but we all had a great time.  We are getting to know people around here, but it is really different for Renne' as she doesn't really know anyone here.  In the pic, Renne' is on the left, Rebecca center, and Cindy on the right.  We were supposed to join Rebecca and her guy friend Lou on a sail to the Dry Tortugas, but with the engine in sad shape now, we had to inform them we were going to be unable to go.  So they invited us to join them on their boat, so we will be going to Marathon tomorrow (Sunday) to help get the boat ready and we will leave this coming Thursday (I believe).  Back on the 23rd.  By the way, nothing I like better than having drinks with 3 lovely ladies!!

TODAY

Have I said ARGGGGHHHHH yet today??  After talking with the Perkins dealer, the Yanmar dealer and all of our friends new and old, I decided today I was going to have to make this engine work. So back down to Sears this morning to pick up a 1-1/2" socket to turn the crankshaft over with, over to Home Depot for some Acetone to dilute the transmission fluid in the cylinders to help get through the corrosion, and back to the base.  I filled the cylinders again with a mixture of trans fluid and Acetone, poured them liberally into the cylinders, disconnected the starter battery again, removed the starter, and loosened the alternator so the fan belt wouldn't provide resistance to turning the crankshaft.  Then the socket in place, I grabbed the 30" ratchet handle and proceeded to carefully turn the engine through.  This took every bit of strength I had.   When I had one full revolution of the crankshaft, I called Warren and we discussed the next evolution.  He was elated, encouraged me to turn it through two more times, and felt I would be close to home - reverse everything I had just loosened or removed and try to turn the engine over electrically.  So with much enthusiasm, I got on the crankshaft again and promptly broke the bolt off the crankshaft.  When I called Warren back, he couldn't hide his disappointment when he told me I was done.  The engine will have to be pulled completely and rebuilt again.  So Renne' and I have decided (again) we will replace the engine, repowering with a new Yanmar 54hp engine!  we are disappointed to say the least, but we should be back up and running by the middle of May.  We will probably cut our trip back to Houston short this time and leave shortly after Keels and Wheels.

All for now, we will see you on the docks.

JonNe'

Our new friends Doug and Susan Henderson

We were out on the sandbar having sundowners, when we introduced ourselves to this couple.  Thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and hated to seem them leave just 3 days later.  I know we will get together with them again sometime!  Thanks Doug and Susan!!

A week ago with new friends

Renne' and I were out on the sandbar about a mile from the marina and 1/4 mile off shore having sundowners with our new friends from Cleveland, Doug and Susan Henderson.  This is the video of our return on the dinghy!!  It was great fun.  Pics in the next segment

Very Challenged today

Renne' and I went to bed last night exhausted!

While I was taking a shower yesterday morning, I noticed the shower drain pump was not working properly.  It was dragging really badly and pumping water out really slowly.  I was concerned as it is only 1-1/2 years old.  My old friend, Gary Hoyle, of Lenire Yacht Services, installed it when he helped me finish out the shower in the aft stateroom.  By the way, Gary did a fabulous job on the shower and save my lovely shipmate from moving into an apartment!!  I figured the issue was electrical and the dc motor was burning out.  Renne' thought it might be a clog.

I called the company, Jabsco, a division of ITT International and consulted with them about the issue.  After discussing the issue with their engineers, they called me back an hour later with the conclusion it was a clog in the line.  Not sure how that happened as the drain in the pan was clean, but to ensure both ideas were taken care of, I pulled the unit off the FAR engine room wall, disconnected the inlet and outlet hoses and cut the wiring for the unit.  Thank goodness for the internet and the ability to track down the operating instructions, as I was able to tear the unit apart and clean it (although there appeared to be NOTHING blocking the diaphragm).  When the hoses were disconnected, most of the water in the shower collection tub drained into the bilge - didn't see hairballs or sludge from that.

So I filled a bucket (oh, by the way, this all took place between 9pm and midnight), attached a hose to the inlet of the pump, ran a jumper cable from the battery to the pump and, voile', the pump worked normally!!!  At that point, I got out the shop vac and sucked what was in the collection tub out and then, reversing the vacuum hose, blew out the remaining water in the drain hose.  Then I reattached the pump to the FAR bulkhead wall, reconnected the hoses with new clamps, and reconnected the power lines.  I then took another shower!!  The pump worked.  So either both of us were right or one of us was wrong, but all told, both issues were checked and now the pump works again!  VICTORY!  One for the day!


The engine room, when it is completely assembled has an upper compartment we use for storing most of our tools and spares.   So, in order to get into the engine room, around the engine exhaust, the generator mounting plate, the generator exhaust and all of the rest of the stuff (hoses, prop shaft, wiring, fuel selector valves) I have about two feet vertically and 18" horizontally to squeeze my upper torso through.  The bilge is three feet deep in the engine room and losing my glasses (so have I told you how much I HATE wearing glasses??), screws, screwdriver, clamp, etc caused a bit of a challenge.

So, to put the pump back in, I unscrewed and began removing the bulkhead. I failed to remember the floor to the tool room is supported by the bulkhead (have I told you previously I was frustrated already with water in the engine cylinders). So I almost lost all of my tools into the bilge!!  Now that would have topped the day.  So Renne' and I spent a rather tense few minutes unloading the upper tool room of all the tools and spares remaining there.  Even with the extra room, it was like being a contortionist getting the pump back into place.

So another double shot of Captain Morgans Special Reserve Rum and three Motrin at 1am, I was able to get to sleep.  Up this morning at 4:45 on the computer searching for more advice on removing injectors on the engine.

Today I am only a BIT Pissy!!

Thanks for all of your positive comments,

JonNe'

Gary Hoyle, Lenire Yacht Restoration,  1405 Bayport Blvd (Hwy 146), Seabrook, TX  77586, Tel: (281) 474-2653
Jabsco, ITT Flow Control, 1 Kondelin Road, Cape Ann Industrial Park, Gloucester, MA 01930, Tel: 978 281-0440

Well, today is a different day!!

I reinstalled the starter today, cut off the terminal end of the negative (black) battery cable as it was corroded and replaced it, reinstalled all of the cables, and hit the ignition switch!!  Nothing!  After many calls to Diesel Parts and Service in Houston, speaking with Randall; speaking with my father-in-law; and then to our friend Warren Gloss of the Iron Maiden, I discovered the anti-siphon valve in the exhaust water system had jammed shut.  Consequently, the engine has water in the cylinders!  Have I said I want to cry at this moment!!

So tomorrow, I will have to remove the generator (that I so lovingly installed) - we're talking 5-6 hours of work to get it all done.  Then I have to start working on the engine.  This is work I have never done before, and I am not comfortable at this moment!! So this evening as I am contemplating my navel and trying to figure this problem out, I am drowning my sorrows in some Captain Morgan Special Reserve Rum and having dinner.

So there is my latest issue.  We were so happy with the trip.  We NEVER expected to be doing this!!

Best for now.  Call us some time.  We love to hear from our friends.  We miss you all!!

JonNe'

Sunset this evening

This is our view from the boat at Boca Chica Marina at the Naval Air Station in Key West.  What beautiful sunsets we have.  We have been going off shore to a little sand bar in the dinghy for sundowners several afternoons a week.  We have met some great folks! But we always make it back to JonNe' in time to watch this scene develop.  The other afternoons we aren't out there usually find us at the Southernmost Beach Cafe' for sushi grade tuna sliders and a beer for me and a glass of Cabernet for Renne'.  We followed that with Beer Boiled Shrimp at A&B Lobster House for Happy Hour and a cup of their Conch Chowder.  Great Stuff!!

Now all of this was a follow on to removing the starter on JonNe's engine!!!  It took us about 2.5 hours to get one bolt out, and I am NOT looking forward to getting that bolt back in place.  But the ulitmate result was, the starter is good.  So tomorrow, my challenge is to isolate the actual problem.  Best case is corrosion in one of the battery cables - hopefully the negative line.  The worst case would be water in a cylinder - but we are NOT putting much thought into that one!!  We will know more tomorrow.

On the 16th the 3 of us - Renne', me, and JonNe' are leaving for the Dry Tortugas.  We will be back what the dock on the 23rd.  We are really looking forward to do this.  It has been one of our goals while we are here.  We will be going out with two other boats from here.  Once back, we will begin packing for the drive back to Houston for the Keels and Wheels Classic Auto and Boat Show, where we will show Renne's Classic '55 Chevy.

Until we see you again, call us on Skype - Jon Siewers.  We would love to talk to you live!!

Jon and Renne' (JonNe')

Southernmost Beach Cafe' - 1405 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040,(305) 295-6550,www.southernmostbeachcafe.com

 

A&B Lobster House -700 Front St,Key West, FL 33040,(305) 294-5880