It seemed we still had an issue with the pump out system. Despite my changing hoses and cleaning out the holding tank it was still pumping rather slowly the last time I pumped out the holding tank. I had not yet closed up the hole I cut in the tank just in case. After total inspection I determined there was no problem on the boat. I talked to another boater and he told me he was having the same issues. He also changed hoses and cut a hole in his holding tank to clean it out. While we both agreed that work was worthwhile doing, we both believe the pump out system is losing some vacuum power! Regardless, I know our boat is fine and I sealed up the hole on the top of the tank. Good for another ten plus years.
We had another pump issue. There is a small automatic bilge pump that keeps the bilge relatively dry because it can pump out water that is only 1/2 inch deep. (That's in the deep V in the bow so it isn't a lot of water.) The pump checks every 3 minutes and if there is water, it pumps it out. The bow is the lowest point in the boat so any water flows forward to get pumped out. There is also a much larger pump farther back that comes on if a float switch is activated due to a major leak. That pump, however, only comes on when there is about three inches of water. (We can turn it on manually and it will pump to a much lower level but we don't often look in the bilge.) Unfortunately, the automatic pump died. Fortunately, however, we bought the 3 yr replacement warranty for $20. These pumps just don't seem to hold up well so we started buying the warranty because a new one is $74 plus tax.. We seem to be replacing the pump about every 2 years. Went to West Marine, turned in the old pump, bought the warranty for $20 for the new one, and was good to go. Kind of a pain to install because its a pretty small opening in the floor of the front cabin but at least I didn't need to crawl under the deck.
There has been a steady stream of sunset watchers as the season moves on. There was a great deal of hope for a Green Flash one night but it didn't happen. Too much humidity which creates a haze that blocks the green flash.
We were, however, able to turn 180 degrees and see a spectacular full moon. It was followed a short time later with yet another beautiful sunset.
We decided to empty the port diesel fuel tank due to the leak that developed when it was over half filled, and just decommission it. The starboard tank holds 130 gallons which will more than adequately provide us the cruising range we need. The question was how to empty the tank. Despite the fact Linda's manual labor assistance is minimal, her planning abilities remain creative and effective. A good thing about this job was I did not need to crawl under the floor. There is an opening from the aft cabin with an access door and access also from the open engine compartment.
She devised the plan to use a 12 volt electric fuel pump to do the job, ($17 on Amazon).
I needed to cut some fuel lines and splice them into a drain hose but it worked great. The vice grip is there to prevent the diesel fuel from running out of the supply line to the engine. If you get air in a diesel fuel line the engine will not run! I know how to bleed the air out of the system but prefer to avoid it if possible. Hmmm, as I think about it I have not tried to run the engine since completing this job. Better do that tomorrow.
I am starting to get some labor out of Linda since her right hand is "finished". She was able to check the fuel levels as we were pumping out the tank and hand me the tools I need as I work under the deck. (Doesn't sound like a big deal but having to crawl in and out of the bilge to get tools gets old real fast.) Washing dishes still seems to be out of her rehab range!
Tomorrow is Linda's final physical therapy appointment with Rosie in Key West. Then Tuesday we take the boat to Driftwood Marina where it will be stored for the summer. We'll spend a couple days getting Yesterday's Dream squared away while we stay in a great "Mom and Pop" type motel nearby. We'll see her surgeon in Miami Friday morning and then fly back to Ohio Friday afternoon.
Decided we should have a good Mother's Day dinner. I have found a very low saturated fat pizza at Publix grocery story that we both really like. Check the picture in case you are interested.
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