Thursday, 10 May 2018 - I finally found a chandlery that has some 3M 4200 and went and got a tube of it, then, later in the afternoon, attempted yet another patch series on the dinghy.
                    Odie, from the S/V (sailing vessel) Cloud Walker came over for a bit. He's the third person to ask me to watch their vessels while they make extended trips ashore. I probably should have mentioned to him that the first person to do so lost his boat in hurricane Irma right after he left me to watch it. Of course, there's nothing I could have done to save it without losing mine. Luckily, he realized that before it actually happened and understood. When he tried to return to Florida, they wouldn't let him return to save the boat because of the mandatory evacuation that had been ordered. What a shame!
                    While at the movie at the library on Wednesday, I picked up a DVD of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds", which I had never seen, so I watched that after dinner on my laptop.

Friday, 11 May - I had to replace the Rule Automatic SuperSwitch bilge pump switch that I installed last September. When I took it apart to see why it had failed, it was full of water. I believe this model is a poor design with too much surface area to seal. I couldn’t tell where it leaked once I broke it open, but the housing has to seal 360 degrees, plus there is a switch pin that protrudes from the side that could have leaked. At any rate, I don’t want to buy another of these units.
                    I replaced it with a USS Ultra Bilge Pumpswitch Junior that I bought at the Boot Key Harbor Cruiser’s swap meet at the tiki awhile back for $40 used.

Saturday, 12 May - While ashore to buy groceries today, I also checked my mail and received a package from my brother, a nice new pair of Teva sandals. Later I joined Pat and Mark Becker on their boat at Marathon Marina for a few margaritas and pizza, along with a great night of conversation. I'm afraid I might have overstayed my welcome. Because of the great stories being told, I had no idea how late it was before I left their boat to return to mine.

Sunday, 13 May - This morning there was supposed to be a nautical swap meet at the tiki hut at the marina, but because of the threat of rain, only about 5 people, including myself brought items to sell or swap. I sold nothing, as usual, but did purchase two led lights that should fulfill the needs of a light over the sink and one over the stove. I'm amazed that this boat has been in use for over 40 years and no one had installed a light over the stove. The sink has two lights over it, but they are fluorescent and I'm hoping that just one of the LED lights that I bought today will be bright enough to replace both and still use less energy. A barbecue party was planned for this afternoon at the tiki, but it, too, was rained out.

Monday and Tuesday, 14 May and 15 May - Both of these days were spent trying to figure out why, after replacing the bilge pump switch, it still doesn't work. I traced wires, tested systems, switched switches, etc., but to no avail.

Wednesday, 16 May - I finally accepted the fact that I wasn't going to be able to figure out the problem with the bilge pump and during the cruiser's net this morning, I asked for help. There was none forthcoming right off the bat, but shortly after the net, Don, on S/V Katsanis hailed me and volunteered to assist me. He spent about 3 hours with me and we cleaned the bilge pump, replaced the bilge pump float switch that I had just installed with a new one that he got from his boat, Ironically, the one he supplied was made just like the one I said I didn't like, but I wasn't going to turn down the help to wait to acquire a different one. We also removed the relay that was in the circuit and rewired the system to compensate for its loss. All is good. It works again.
                    Later, I went to the library to see a movie.

Thursday, 17 May - All day today was spent making changes in the illustrations of the wiring diagram and schematic for the bilge pump.

I hope you got more accomplished this week than I did, but at least I'm sure my boat won't sink during the night tonight.

            Until next time.

                        "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!" - Hunter S. Thompson

                                          Rick