Friday, August 13, 2004
Northport, MI
First of all, Happy Birthday, Dad! Today is Steve’s father’s birthday, so we of course wish him a very happy birthday. Binga spent the evening drawing circles on his birthday card, which she will give to him when we see him this coming week. Her new thing is birthday parties. She loves them and all of a sudden has a huge interest in them. So, will have to have a birthday party in Grandpa’s honor . . . for Binga.
Binga and the Big Box
Now for the great news! The engine arrived, and it sure is pretty. We weren’t sure if it would really arrive today, as it did not arrive yesterday, as planned. We did not want to get out hopes up and drive the hour and a half from Steve’s parents house (like we did yesterday) for nothing. However, a phone call confirmed that FedEx Freight was planning on delivering it in the afternoon. We decided to risk the looming disappointment and made the trek north, above the 45th parallel, to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula and the Northport Bay Boat Yard. It was a long drive; our nerves on edge the whole way, preparing for another let down. When we arrived in the late afternoon, the weight of waiting three and a half weeks was lifted, as there sat a crated pallet with the Westerbeke logo emblazoning the side. Binga kept pointing to the box and saying, “Birthday present, Dada?” It sure felt like it.
Vroom, Vroom – Big Red on the Job
Of course, like kids on Christmas morning, we promptly cut the straps and opened the box for a look. There it was. A nice, new, shinny, red engine with all the options, waiting for a berth in the engine room of Nereus. Nice.
Checking it out!
Now the real work begins. After checking things out, I took some measurements to see how it will fit. I was hopeful (but not optimistic) it would fit on the existing motor mounts. It won’t, so I will have to make some modifications. I’m not surprised and have already been considering options. It is for the best anyway, as the new mounts are better than the old ones and we want the job done right. However, our goal is to get the engine in the boat and set the prop shaft, with or with out a prop, so we can get Nereus back into the water, hopefully with in the week. Then, we can move back aboard – back into our home. Living aboard will give us the access needed to work out the engine’s plumbing and electrical integration issues, while allowing us the opportunity to readjust to boat life again. Then, when everything is in order, we’ll be back underway. We will have a long way to go in a short amount of time.
The best part according to Binga – the Box!
We’re just happy the wait is over. From where we sit now, opportunities are knocking, doors opening. Things are starting to happen. We can finally see the future. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel . . . and all that mumbo jumbo. We’re ready, even though the boat isn’t. We want to get some miles under the keel.
In all of today’s excitement, what do you think Binga liked best? You’ve heard the old cliche, buy a kid an expensive toy and all they want to play with is the box. That’s right where she ended up – in the box. Never mind the expensive piece of machinery we just purchased. For her, it is all about cardboard! The guys in the boat yard thought it was funny and are planning ways for us to take the box aboard for her to have her very own play house. I don’t think so. Too much cardboard. It will draw too many flies. We already have enough of them!
I Love You Engine.
Tomorrow, we start the fun part – the installation. It is a sort of cruiser’s challenge all of its own, not unlike sailing into an anchorage after a long sail. The satisfaction will, hopefully, be just as fulfilling. We’re trying to take it one step at a time.
Next log, we should have plenty of photos of the engine installation. As always, I’ll keep you posted as we go.
– Steve