Repairs in process

Reairs have started the tramsission has been removed and the problem is the pressure plate. Von who works at the local gereration startion is a Eng. and also workes at the marina. He seems to no what he is doing. The parts have to come from Nassua by boat so don't no how long I will be here. I would take pictures of the engine room but my cameras flash has decided not to work. But lots of little jobs are getting done.
Well fill the cooler and head to the beach..

Esperanza (hope) no more

Left Nassau heading for Norman's Cay, winds 10-15 and sea 2 ft but once again 3ft were the real size but Esperanza handled everything well. Six hours into our voyage 1 mile from the anchorage Esperanza decided it had enough and quite working. I was only in 15 ft of water so put down anchor and began looking for the problem. no propulsion. yes its the transmission the dam transmission failed. I put a panpan and ocean dance responded. But on the way to give me  a tow they went aground 55ft trawler so they did not arrive until after dark. It  was decided to wait until the morning are tow me to Highbourne cay were there is a small marina with e-met access. Esperanza dropped anchor out side the marina and waited 6hours for them to tow us into our marina slip.
I did manage to find a mechanic today and he started to remove the transmission. He thinks it might be the oil pump or pressure plate. what ever it is, it has to come from Nassau by boat they don't even get mail on the cay. So when I hook up my shore power it does not work so I am still running the generator will call the manufacture tomorrow for help and then the wailer pump on my holding pump started leaking so I have sewage leaking into the bulge.Just a endless list of problems I has been a very expanse year and getting worse.
At $100.00 a day marina cost and the transmission rebuild this is going to be very expanse. So please do not  hang up when you see my name come up on your phone.
I hope you are enjoying the cold, because it has got allot colder here in the past two days.

Nassau

After a very expanse stay in Chub cay $200.00 per night I did not get to see much of it. mostly putting everything back in place and finding places to stow everything.and sleeping. With these prices I decided to leave the next morning seas to be running at wnw 302deg at 2-3 ft and i am heading at 140Deg so should be a good run. But NOOOOOOOOOOO once again  after a good three hours the seas shifted to the ENE 3-4 ft and I still had a following sea so one wave picked up the stern and one wave hit the beam. So I have to run at 170deg away from Nassau Harbour and then turn and  run into the sea for about and hour to get back to my rumb line and cut into Nassau. So here i am at Nassau Harbour club. Fuels filters changed boat all washed and everything back in ship shape. Explore the city tomorrow and pick-up some supplies and phone

Made It to Chub key

Will update you all later.
It was a great trip from Bimini to Gun cay and then across the Bahama Banks. Stopped half way across and dropped an anchor in 8 ft of water could not see land at all the sea's calm and a great sunset.
Reached Chub Cay around 3.30 and set anchor just outside the marina, There were 5 other boats anchor The winds were to be NE 10-12kn But no the night from hell after 30 years of sailing it was the worst night I have ever spent on a boat. the wind stayed to the SSE and the sea's running 2-3 ft  SE on the beam all night. So after sailing all day I was up all night. there was not a thing that was not tied down that did not end up on the floor.
At first light I raised anchor still in 3ft waves and went into  chub marina for a well deserved rest.

Somethimes I wounder

I decided to rent a golf cart today, get supplies and take a trip to north beach 6 miles away. Well with Scott's luck the dam golf cart broke down a .5 mile from the beach. So with thrum out I had to hitch a ride back to the rental company and get another cart. Did not make it back to north beach but did get the supplies I needed. Heading out tomorrow to gun key.

 broken down cart

I made it

Yes folks I made it to Bimini, the Bahamas. But no thanks to NOAA. The weather today was to be perfect but as you no things can change in a hurry. In order to save time I decided to take the shorter route through Government cut and let be tell you it will be the last time. Sea's coming down the cut were running7-8 ft  and I could not turn back so we  pounded into it at 2 kts until outside the entrance and what was to be sea's of 2-3 ft were 4-6 ft with no place to turn we continues on. Esperanza took all it threw at her and skipper with cooler and bucket ( not for vomiting} took it with her. will after the first 3 hours the weather became better sea dropping to the predicted levels and we continues the crossing arriving at Big fish marina at 3.00 pm. Decided to stay two days to check the boat. Change fuel filters and repair the dingy again. I guess caring to many supply back and forth have caused another leak in the floor.
x-mas wish list new dingy..
Will we will be continuing of to Nassau  and see the big city
Esperanza and I are getting along good and I hope it continues the dingy and I its another story.
Jim find me a good 9-10 ft on Craig's list over the summer pleasssssssse
so you want to be a live aboard  YESSSSSSS { when things go right}

Not ment to go to the Bahama's

I was doing my last garage run to the yacht club. All prepared to leave in the morning and the dam outboard won't run I starts but runs out of fuel. Thinking that it might be the fuel I drained it all and replaced with new still will not run. So put on the stern remove the carburetor.I already replaced the fuel pump last month so It should not be that. Its dark not so will try it before i lift the dingy out of the water.Just my luck

Getting Close

Well I am getting closer, winds  are droping but the sea,s are still running north at 8 to 10 feet.
Wed the sea are droping to 2ft from the SE and winds south at 10k. Will leave here tomorrow moring to no name harbour and get ready to jump accross Wed morning.

South Beach

I decided to treat myself today and go to south beach, Last year Lane, tina, Carol and i spent a very pleasent day eating at Clevelander sitting at the pool shopping and a few drinks we had a great time. I did not remember how expansive it was 8.00 a beer and 10.00 a shot of rum so needless to say I only spent a few hours there. I was a little get away from the boat, but it was not as fun as last year with the four of us. If the weather forcast had been right I could have left here early this morning and been in the Bahamias buy now. the next window is wed. and i will be leaving early.
Miami is not as much fun as marathon and people don't seem as willing to be there to help.

Miami at last

At last, Miami Yacht Club {although closed today} 4 days of so,so weather and I have not been off the boat but I made it. Have learned lots about handling the boat by myself over long periods of time. Some I can say on the blog others I will leave for you ask in person. I have learned that handling the anchor is not easy even with the new windles, I cannot see were it is, on the port or starboard from the lower helm so I am placing on my Xmas list a hand held remote. that way I can lower and rise it from the upper helm or from the bow. I will require a small dc cooler for the upper helm for food and water so as not to have to leave the helm.Auto helm is a must for next year and will look for one when I get home. Or just a crew preferably a lady that is retired that can help with expenses as well. As you all no life's plans change and that happens but this cruising is meant for two as was my, our plans. If your plan is to live on a boat in one location is a good life but it's not called  cruising. If anything I have learned in the last 4 days is that I can do it alone, and I am enjoying doing it alone for short period's of time but it is a lot more fun enjoying it with a loved one or a friend or two.
Now that everything is working and I am feeling better
have fun and enjoy life

out of Marathon

Well I finally got out of Marathon today anchor in Islamoroda key for the night. Boat ran good with no problems. Will miss all my friend in Marathon and dockside but will see you all again.time to cook supper.