Over the past month we have had both daughters (sans husbands, unfortunately), four grand kids, and Kathy and Lee Maidenberg (dear friends from Clearwater, FL) stay with us. Kathy and Lee had the pleasure of riding out tropical storm Emily at Yobos just E of Salinas. Lee was most helpful helping me survey the nooks and crannies for a snug hiding spot in the mangroves. Thankfully we didn't have to "repair" to them and the skeeters as Emily never quite got up to speed as she passed to the S and W of us. One early morning of high winds and torrential rains and she was gone over Hispaniola. We made it to the bioluminescent bay at Las Carobas near Fajardo with Aimee and the g-children, and Mosquito Lagoon, Viequez with Marnie and the boys. Now that's a sight to be seen: light blue "fire" as you cut through the water with hand or paddle. The boys had to try peeing, but without success as the dinoflagilates were under the surface a few inches.
Our port engine has been out the whole time. We finally believe it is the injector pump that needs to be rebuilt. I have been trying to get out, but have had to tap and spray (Blaster: it really works, but slowly) because of the corrosion caused by the raw water pump's (it's situated over the engine so when it failed several years ago, it sprayed the entire engine with sea water) failure. Anyway I'm down to one more nut which should come off this morning. Then I'll put in a pump I got with the purchase from the local Volvo dealer of another engine for its parts. We HOPE this will do the trick. The Boat Doctor, Fernando, has been immensely helpful through all of this.
So hear we sit at SunBay Marina monitoring the weather every morning watching the waves pour off Africa waiting for the engine to be fixed and debating whether nor not to flee back to Salinas and Yobos, a days sail (10 hours) S and W of Fajardo. It rains on and off so we have the AC going at night in our cabin and endure the heat in the salon as we button up periodically. Truly is isn't as big a deal as I make it sound.
Oh, let me bring you up to date on the dingy. After a call to West Marine HQ in California I got not only satisfaction but a new, upgraded RIB 350 for a nominal price. Yes, it comes with a five year warranty which should outlast the glue as, yes, it is still a Zodiac. Much better boat which is a foot longer with a seat, oars and oarlocks, and a forward, built-in locker. Only downside is the self-bailer which leaks like a sieve. I'll call WM to see what their "fix" is. I must say that when HQ learned what was going on, they stepped up and did the right thing without any hesitation. Let's hear it for West Marine and Port Supply!
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