Chapter 8 - Day 9: Things are Looking Up

6:22 am
Sunday, September 12, 1999
DAY 9

They installed a new head on the right side, fired it up and it still smoked. Not as badly as before, but enough to make me worry that we hadn't completely fixed it. Keith, our mechanic, said not to worry, the engine was loaded with unburned fuel inside and it would clear up. The other mechanic, Jeff, wasn't quite as optimistic. So we took a ride to see who was correct.
When I got outside the harbor, I pushed down the throttle and it took just like normal, except the smoke poured out the stbd. side. My heart was starting to sink when little by little it got better. Within a minute there was no smoke and the boat was running normal. You should have seen the smile on Keith's face. It was definitely an "I told you so" smile.

Once we got back to the dock we checked the engine for any leaks, and all looked good. The engine compartment itself looked like someone blew it up.

Stuff everywhere, and oil residue all over. Oh well, that can be cleaned.

The mechanics left at 4 PM, and I think they did a great job.

Before closing the hatch, Darrell and I changed the oil in the generator.

That oil change should get us to Florida. While we were down there we found that the generator battery was boiling out it's water. Probably from a charger that won't shut off. We unhooked the cables, to keep it from continuing, and I'll have to have someone look at this somewhere along the line.

Today-Sunday
Weather looks good. Cloudy, but 85 to 90 degrees.

Once the marina opens up at 8 we plan to pay our bill, and head out. Our destination is a marina called Cuba Landing. If you get out your Tennessee road map (that you always keep handy), and follow I-40 west out of Nashville, where it meets the Tennessee River, you will see where we'll be.

It's out in the middle of nowhere, but a great marina. We've stayed there before, and it is a perfect stopping place.

We change crews today. Darrell and Donna get off, and Steve and Chris get on. They fly into Nashville, rent a car, get this weeks groceries, and will meet us about 3 PM this afternoon. Darrell and Donna will take their rental car to Memphis and turn it in there.
We should have a great day. I'm looking forward to cruising down Kentucky Lake. It is a beautiful lake formed at the southwest park of Kentucky when they dammed the Tennessee River. It is wide, and surrounded by hills, and cliffs. Like I said-beautiful.

I hope this message finds everyone well. I'll keep you posted........

BK