Chapter 7 - Day 8: Dead Heading...

5:55 am
Saturday, September 11, 1999
Day 8

Weather wise it is going to be another beautiful day. It's 69 degrees out now and the sky is just starting to get light. It is supposed to get to 85 before the day is over.
Engine wise--it is quite another story. What they found is that the #1 cylinder on the right side of the engine is dead. Yes dead. That means there is no compression, which is what fires the fuel in a diesel engine. They think that we have a burnt valve, or probably the valve has a hole in it.

It is a major problem.

I spent most of the day yesterday either in the engine compartment, or on the phone. I continued to talk to all those people I did before, and wanted to find out whose responsibility this was so at cocktail hour on Friday afternoon everyone didn't go home, and say "See you on Monday!".

What has happened is just the opposite. A mechanic got on board at 8 am and worked all day. No breaks, no lunch, non stop, until he figured out what was wrong. My phone calls paid off because once we determined what needed to be fixed, Detroit authorized any, and all, costs necessary to get us up and going as soon as possible. (not normal for warranty work) That means Keith (our mechanic) called the shop and told them what he needed (a new head for that side of the engine). They got the parts together, and sent them to the boat with another mechanic, and the two of them kept working. In fact when I went to bed last night they were still working.

Based on their progress we may be running yet today. Darrell and Donna have changed their plans several times trying to keep with what is going on. They now have a flight leaving Memphis on Monday evening. Steve Thoke (my business partner) and his fiancée Chris Van Allen will be joining us starting on Sunday. We haven't got all the logistics details figured out yet, (because of our location) but we will.

On another note. Remember my comment about the on board TV satellite system,
and how great it was to track the weather? It broke! We have to find
someone to fix that as well.

Two challenges lie ahead.
1. Because of the breakdown I don't know if we can make it all the way to Florida by the 24th of September. I have been working on a new plan, but until we get underway I can't make too many decisions.
2. Hurricanes-I know Floyd is out there, and there are two depressions behind him, so we'll have to watch them to see if they effect the Gulf at all. We have a crossing of over 120 miles in the Gulf, and we can't make it if it is too rough. (yes I know we will be getting to Florida during hurricane season, but this we needed to do this now)

As you can tell this trip is not like a normal day of boating. That can cause a lot of stress, but I enjoy the challenge as well. My crew looks at me sometimes, and wonders why I'm so uptight. I explain it this way:

You are having Thanksgiving dinner at your house, and you are in charge of preparing the meal. You have thought most everything out, and told everyone that you'll eat at noon. While you worry about the final preparations, the quests are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and not worrying about a thing.

You realize that the potatoes won't be done on time, and they may be a little lumpy. You are under a little, or a lot of stress, but your guests could care less, in fact they sense you're under pressure and say "what's your problem, why are you so uptight?". Eating at noon is not at all
important to them, and lumpy potatoes---who cares. YOU DO! While
everyone waits for you to say it's ready, you're worrying about the outcome.

In reality, it's not important what time you eat, or small lumps in the potatoes----but try telling the cook that.

Talk to you soon............

BK