We returned to the boat on Monday. There were still a few pieces to attach to the engine, and then there would be testing. We speculated that we might be able to leave the marina by Wednesday. Ha!
When it came time to attach the starter, the mechanic discovered that the starter sent with the engine would not fit on the engine. When Larry and the mechanic examined it closely, they discovered a major difference. It was not the right starter for this engine. That problem has been dealt with, but it isn’t the end. There seem to be daily revelations of “just one more thing.”
Yesterday morning we expected the mechanic to finish his work. We thought we could put the boat back in order in the afternoon, run errands today and depart tomorrow. Not to be. A few minutes before 5PM the mechanic left to look for yet another part. When he had not returned at 6PM we called and learned that he would not be back until today. The saga continues.
I told someone that it was like daytime TV, maybe “Days of Our Lives.” We have certainly lost a lot of days to this project. A lot of dollars, too. The slip rental alone will be staggering when the final bill is presented. Shipping costs have been shocking. The boatyard, like the government, charges fees for everything. The service company that provided the diesel mechanic, the crane and etcetera will undoubtedly charge for every little thing. We will be glad when it is over.
The good news is that the engine works. You push the button, it starts. This engine starts in the blink of an eye, something the old engine never did. It always had to huff and puff a bit before it got going. So that’s nice. It also runs much more quietly. I told Larry it almost makes me think of a lawn mower, and that is rather disconcerting. I think it should sound powerful. Maybe I don’t really know how it should sound.
The final bit of excitement is the delayed arrival of the replacement starter. The starter that was originally rebuilt for our old engine is back in service now, but we paid for a new starter, and we were expecting one. The latest update on its status is that it may be here by next Wednesday. Is this not fun!?!?!
The engine runs, and so shall we. We have paid our bill to the marina based on a departure on Sunday. We will hang around in Lake Worth until the starter gets here. We might get internet there by using our wifi antenna. We will work with what we have. Our phone works, so they can call us when the part arrives. Then, at last, we can finally go north.
If I were in the business of telling tall tales, I could hardly make up a story with as many hitches and glitches as this one. Still, we are almost on our way. Whew!
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