Fly Preparations

Day #40: We've been warned, we're heading into biting fly country. It's not like we haven't seen it before. The last time through northern Florida and Georgia at this time of year we felt sorry for ourselves but even sorrier for the sailboaters. They'd sit in their cockpits, swarmed in flies, arms flailing, and without hope of escape. We at least can close the windows to keep them out. It was because of this experience that Bicki made screens for the pilothouse and salon windows. Now I'm making screens for the bedroom, shower and head ports.

We visited with John and Sue Mackie today. They own a tug just like ours, John William (hull #72). They're good friends and I know no one more knowledgable on boats than John. In fact, one of the reasons we decided to overhaul Nellie's injection pump here is because John had just done the very same job on his tug. Another thing we have in common is house building. John and Sue are completely gutting and finishing a house here on Merritt Island. Having been working on a house of our own we can certainly commiserate on the trials and tribulations of their undertaking.

Today's picture is of a well varnished bowsprit here in the Harbortown Marina. I certainly appreciate all the labor it takes to get a result like this, and doubly so in the Florida sun. Holding at 580nm but look for us to get moving again tomorrow. DBH

That's a Wrap

Day #39: It takes about three hours to amble over to Orlando and back. It would be quicker if we took the toll roads but we're happier keeping the $12 in our pockets. The guys at Nozzle Masters had our injector pump ready. "Oh, you're the boat guy.", was the response when I presented myself at the counter.

The injector pump went back in without incident but only after 2-1/2 hours of work. The biggest challenge was priming the pump and fuel lines. But even that went well. Best of all, no fuel leaks now.

The injector pump's gaskets and seals only lasted 25 years so I've put a note in Nellie's log to be sure to have the pump rebuilt again 2038! Here's to hoping I don't have to touch it until then.

Still at Harbortown Marina, Merritt Island, FL, and holding at 580nm. DBH

Lazy Day

Day #38: Nellie's injection pump was on the shop's test stand when I called this afternoon. It'll be ready for us tomorrow morning (fingers crossed).

Satellite views have become a favorite of ours now that we have 24/7 Internet access aboard Nellie. We use the satellite pictures for navigating in unchartered waters, and surprisingly there's a lot of it just off the ICW. While it's not perfect, shoals are easy to pick out. Today's picture shows Nellie's route into Sebastian Marina. The sand bars north and south of our track are clearly visible.

Holding at 580nm and still in Harbortown Marina, Merritt Island, FL. DBH

It's Out

Day #37: There's now a big hole where the Cummins' injector pump should be. That's a good thing ;-) It took about three hours to remove it. We then rented a car, drove to Orlando, and dropped the pump off at Nozzle Masters. To the question, "When do you need it?", I responded, "I'm on a boat and now stuck in the Marina." The tech smiled knowingly and said, "It'll be ready tomorrow, next day at the latest." Holding at 580nm. DBH

Maintenance Mode

Day #36: Another nice day on the water. Another short day on the water. The Banana River is shallow but well marked. The gusty southeast winds worked up a chop. Nellie couldn't be running better. Problem is her injector pump continues to leak.

"You can be a mechanic for a day but you can't become a mechanic in a day.", was the advice I got 20 years ago when debating rather or not to tackle a complex diesel engine repair myself. Those words now ring in my ears as I prepare to replace Nellie's fuel injection pump. Cruising pushes us beyond our comfort zone in so many ways. Being a competent mechanic is just one of them.

It was a short 17nm today, upping the total to 580nm, to Merritt Island's Harbor Town Marina. With luck it won't be too long a stay as we overhaul the Cummins' injection pump. DBH

Pig Roast

Day #35: Last night Tom and Megan Campbell, previous owners of the 49' Lord Nelson Victory Tug, Promise, happened upon us. They were in their runabout on the way to dinner when they saw Nellie at anchor. Shortly after the introductions were made they invited us to today's pig roast. This morning it was a long 3nm from last night's anchorage to the lake in front of the Campbell's house. We gave some tours of Nellie, had some great food and thoroughly enjoyed meeting their neighbors.

Tom told us he lost the end of a finger while replacing the diesel engines on his tug. Before installing the rebuilt six cylinder, turbocharged Cummins engines he tested them in his garage. With the engine running at 50% power he ran his hand by the air intake. The air sucked his hand in and the compressor blades, rotating at 10,000+ rpm, did the rest--ouch.

At anchor in Lake Shepard, just south of Cocoa Beach, FL, and 563nm into our journey. DBH

Ham It Up

from l-r: Lynn, Marta, Chris, and John 

Day #34: While underway Nellie broadcasts her position every few minutes via ham radio. It was via these broadcasts, back in 2010, that we came to know Lynn Deffenbaugh. This afternoon, once the anchor was down, we had a fun reunion aboard Nellie with Lynn and his wife Marta, and made new friends of Chris and John. Hams all, and all having been in the software business in some fashion, interesting conversation flowed.

Nellie's injector pump leak is proving to be indifferent to my repair attempts. Oh we'll, one definition of cruising is, fixing the boat in new and exotic locations.

We're in the midst of a curious conundrum: the more we travel the more friends we make; but, the more we visit these friends the less we travel. We've been aboard Nellie for over a month and have yet to make it out of southern Florida. It's embarrassing to admit but I can see tomorrow's anchorage, a whole 6 miles away, from tonight's anchorage. Oh well, it's a great problem to have.

We made it a whole 17nm today from Sebastian River to the southern end of the Banana River, FL, upping our total to 560nm. DBH.