Friday, 8 June 2018 - Today I modified the hole in the Yamaha gasoline fuel tank that I discovered had a bad connector on it. It is different from the others and the spare valve/connector I had for it wouldn't fit the hole. I started by cutting the 1/4" plastic with a knife, but quickly realized that was going to give me several blisters well before I finished, so I switched to a rat-tailed file. That was too slow, so I got out my drill and started drilling holes. I started with a 7/16" bit, then, when there was no space large enough for that size, I dropped down to 1/4", then to 1/8", and finally 1/16" bits. That took away so much of the material that it was then easy to cut the remaining pieces away with the knife, leaving pretty smooth edges. Now I need to go to shore to rinse out the small flakes, let it dry out, then mount the valve, and I'll have a fully functional tank again.
                    The other day I smelled gas and discovered one of my gas jerry jugs had heated up in the sun and was bulging from pressure. It had gasoline squirting out of it an obvious cracks showing. I emptied that jug into one of my tanks, but now that it is empty, cooled, and no longer bulging, I can't see the cracks, even with a magnifying glass. It looks deceptively perfect. I almost thought I was looking at the wrong jug.

Saturday, 9 June - I've been hearing the fresh water pump in my plumbing system come on occasionally, so I know I have a tiny leak somewhere on the boat, but I don't know where. I thought I knew, so today I got into the engine room to fix the leak. I really couldn't see how the spot I was suspicious of could be the problem, but I tightened a couple of hose clamps, discovered a broken clamp on a drain pipe and replaced it, and will listen for the pump again. Tightening the clamps may be all that is necessary, and I hope so, but I doubt it.
                    The water pump didn't seem to be building enough pressure to make the strainer on the galley faucet aerate the water as it comes out, so I suspected the filters needed changing. I cleaned the first filter, which is really a rather course strainer, and replaced the cartridge in the filter right before the faucet. That solved that problem.

Sunday, 10 June - A day of relaxation and reading.

Monday, 11 June - I was treated to another easy day because it rained most of the day today. When it finally cleared off, I took the Yamaha fuel tank to shore and rinsed it out good. I also took the 5 gallon fuel jerry jug to shore to test it. As I mentioned earlier, the cracks that were so visible and leaking when it had gasoline in it and was pressurized by being heated by the sun, were totally invisible when not under pressure. Even filling it with water didn't make the cracks visible, but it did leak ever so slightly from one spot. I was beginning to think I was throwing away the wrong jug.
                    I was notified this afternoon that my favorite local band, or rather, duo, Fiddle Rock, was temporarily back together and playing at the Hurricane Bar this evening. Steve, the guitarist's boat sank during hurricane Irma, so he's moved up near Since it was Monday that means it was also the bar's pizza and beer special night, making it doubly worthwhile going over there. On my way, I met up with Caroline and Dave from S/V Barefoot Gal and talked them into joining me for dinner and entertainment since Fiddle Rock is one of their favorites, too. Fiddle Rock plays music from the likes of Bob Seger, John Denver, Jethro Tull, Eric Clapton, Guns and Roses, Otis Redding, the Beatles, Steppenwolf, Pink Floyd, the Allman Brothers, Chuck Berry, James Taylor, and lots of others. Randy's fiddle and harmonica playing really spices up the rock tunes, too. I hope to catch them Sunday night again at the Marathon Grill and Ale House. I've never been there in the evening, mainly because it's a one mile dinghy and two mile walk, so we'll see if I make it that far.

Tuesday, 12 June - Another rainy morning, so I added a table to my website's sailing page that lists the NATO Phonetic Alphabet; you know, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc., and this afternoon I finished installing the fuel gauge/connector in the Yamaha fuel tank. There was a little bit of excitement in the harbor this morning. A couple of water spouts visible from the harbor this morning. Luckily, they stayed outside the harbor. I don't think they even touched land. If one does approach you, there's not much you can do. You can't outrun them. They are just a tornado over the water with winds possible well over 100 miles per hour. If you're out sailing, you'd better get all your sail down as fast as you can, go below, batten down the hatches and pray.

Wednesday, 13 June - There was a short seminar today at the Tiki Hut at the marina about Rainman water makers for boats. My water maker is an EchoTec, but since I know virtually nothing about them, I though surely I could learn something about the systems in general. Since I've been onboard Island Time I haven't had the need to make my own water because I've always been near either free or cheap water sources. Here at Marathon City Marina, I have to go the mile in the dinghy and buy it for 5 cents a gallon, but that's not bad. When I arrive in the Bahamas, that price may go up to about 30 cents per gallon and the closest water may be several islands away. Luckily, I carry about 240 gallons on board, but eventually I'll be glad to have the water maker. I haven't used it because if you don't use it regularly, you have to "pickle" it. Pickling involves back flushing it and putting an anti-bacterial compound into the lines and filter. If you don't pickle it, the reverse osmosis membrane can be ruined, as mine now probably is, since I haven't dealt with it for two years. Pickling lasts about 6 months, they say. Membranes cost about $500 each, I am told. Ouch! That's half a boat buck, right there.

Thursday, 14 June - This morning, I sprayed the dinghy with soapy water to locate the leaks that still exist. I marked four, rinsed it, then, while it was drying, I cleaned up two boat fenders I recently pulled from the water as they floated past. They cost about $50 to $60 each new, I'll try to locate the owners, but will probably end up selling them for about $20 each. Next, I attempted, once again, reapplied adhesive to the patches on the dinghy, then change the oil in the Honda generator since it's run for a hundred hours since I change the oil in April of 2017. Once a year's not too bad.

Well, I guess I'd better get this update out.

            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