10 Oct 2009 Captains Update
The 9th saw the fuel filter/prime system issues finally resolved. That was the good news; the bad news is that the generator head died again. The same symptoms as the previous two failures (voltage drop by 50%+, wildly fluctuating voltage swings and different readings on both legs) which leads me to believe that it has again consumed its capacitor and diodes. At this point it is not worth trying to have it repaired, especially here where things are hyper expensive. I.e. a single 1” by ½” brass reducer $40, drinking water is $0.40 a gallon, diesel $3.75, 5 loads of laundry $114: not Belize dollars, USD! The plus side is that we are not being charged for the dock spaced or the use of the resort facilities.
I have borrowed a small 2500 watt Honda generator from Osmin Rodriquez and we are barely keeping ahead of the basic refrigeration load and some battery charging.
Today we are going to attempt to the prop shaft reinstall underwater without sinking Second Star. This should prove an interesting task. I have decided to make a coffer dam out of a towel by spreading one side with large amounts of vegetable shortening, rolling it up like a jelly roll and wrapping it around the prop shaft on the outside of the hull and then holding it tightly against the prop shaft log. I am going to have Scubaeon hold it in place while I push the propeller and shaft forward into the prop shaft flange on the rear of the transmission. Once it is in place and aligned we will tighten the drip less shaft seal in place and voila!! Now, if it only proves that easy I will be very relieved and happy.
Once that is done we can assess the damage, if any to the propellers, prop shafts and struts. If all is satisfactory, tomorrow we will do limited sea trials to assure the integrity of the power train and the running gear.
We do appreciate everyone thinking very positive thoughts for our success and while you are at it a four day weather window of soft breezes and calm seas would be very nice.
As an aside, the Coconut Telegraph has it that Second Star ran aground on the reef off Ambergris Caye, the BZE CG had to pull us off, aeon and I were arrested. After a night in jail we were released facing fines and possibly more jail time. This may become as famous as the Bongo Girls of Eselan.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
This began many years ago for Johne. Somewhere along the way, he decided that someday he would have a boat and sail around the world. Through the years bits and pieces of the dream have changed, but the one thing that has remained the same was the desire to see the world from the deck of a boat. In July of 2000 the opportunity presented itself. Johne found a boat in Florida that was literally a "fire sale." The galley had caught fire and destroyed the housing, but the potential was there. Johne and Susie made the leap. They bought the boat and moved from Reno, NV to Ft. Myers, FL. Immediately they began the process of tearing down the old and rebuilding the new. By December of that year, all that was left, was a good, solid hull. For the past several years, Johne has build Second Star almost entirely by hand. Built with love and fueled by desire. Now that the construction has nearly reached completion we would like to share our dream with you. Please join us as we head out for the adventure of a lifetime.
What's in a name? It is supposed to be bad luck to rename a boat. In this case, however, the old boat died, and a new boat has reemerged from the ashes. "Second Star" comes from a quote, "second on the right and straight to morning." Recognize it? It is Peter Pan's directions to Neverland.
Pages
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Where is Second Star.....
https://maps.findmespot.com/s/ZL56/G4
Picasa link
The Dream....
This began many years ago for Johne. Somewhere along the way, he decided that someday he would have a boat and sail around the world. Through the years bits and pieces of the dream have changed, but the one thing that has remained the same was the desire to see the world from the deck of a boat. In July of 2000 the opportunity presented itself. Johne found a boat in Florida that was literally a "fire sale." The galley had caught fire and destroyed the housing, but the potential was there. Johne and Susie made the leap. They bought the boat and moved from Reno, NV to Ft. Myers, FL. Immediately they began the process of tearing down the old and rebuilding the new. By December of that year, all that was left, was a good, solid hull. For the past several years, Johne has build Second Star almost entirely by hand. Built with love and fueled by desire. Now that the construction has nearly reached completion we would like to share our dream with you. Please join us as we head out for the adventure of a lifetime.
What's in a name? It is supposed to be bad luck to rename a boat. In this case, however, the old boat died, and a new boat has reemerged from the ashes. "Second Star" comes from a quote, "second on the right and straight to morning." Recognize it? It is Peter Pan's directions to Neverland.
No comments:
Post a Comment