We had a week built into our schedule so as not to feel rushed to get to the America’s Great Loop Cruising Association (AGLCA) Rendezvous so it afforded us some time to catch up on maintenance tasks. Besides, a storm system was about to pass through which we would prefer to sit out at our cozy slip at Green Turtle Bay.

Our main engine has been having some fuel starvation issues, first from the aft starboard tank not keeping up with the fuel flow, and then the port aft tank deciding to play the same game. That left us with our starboard forward tank as the only dependable source for continuous, uninterrupted fuel flow. After trying some DIY investigating and doing the usual filter changes with no positive results we called in the boat mechanics.

Green Turtle Bay was swamped with winterizing boats due to a sudden drop to below-freezing temperatures, plus the marina was full of Great Loop transients, so we reached out to JP Marine from Evansville, Indiana who serves the area. Surprisingly they were there at GTB and was able to stop by to assess the situation and put us on their schedule for the next day. They purged all of the fuel supply lines from each of the three 70-gallon diesel tanks and had things looking and sounding good. We took HIPPOKAMPOS for s short sea trial and diverted the flow form one tank to the next, and then on to another, until we were satisfied that the supply hoses were free flowing… Read More

 

 

Layover at Green Turtle Bay (cont.)

Once back at the dock we sent JP on their way and we proceeded to do other routine maintenance tasks to prepare for our next leg to Aqua Yacht Harbor at the mouth of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. After changing the oil in the main engine we gave it the usual start-up to check oil pressure, leaks, etc….. but all we heard were clicks and groans. Our self-diagnosis of the situation was suspecting that the starter motor was on the blink. Of course with just doing the oil change there was fear that it was somehow related. So a service call JP Marine put us back on their schedule. As suspected, the 35 year old starter motor decided it had enough which meant we had to wait a few days for another to be shipped and installed.

With the new starter motor at the ready the engine popped to life without hesitation. Unfortunately the extra delay pretty much put an end to our objective to reach Rogersville, Alabama for the AGLCA Rendezvous since, even leaving the next day, it would have us arriving the last day of the event. As disappointing as that was, it also took some pressure off since our schedule was trashed and, as the saying goes, the worse thing to have on a boat is a schedule.