SHIP'S LOG:
Well, it seems winter has gotten here in a big way. Last week on Thursday, we had some serious wind and rain. The gusts had to be over 50mph if not more and the rain fell like it wasn't going to stop. But the wind eventually died down and the rain stopped falling and the sun even came out. The temp was in the 60's! Some winter. True, it isn't officially winter yet but it is December for crying out loud! Then last night we were greeted with our first official snow storm after another day of torrential rain. By Sunday morning, we had 3 inches on the ground and it did, I hate to admit it, look beautiful. I'll get over appreciating the beauty of winter soon enough. Nothing wears on me quite like winter weather and by the end of the month I will be seriously sick of it . . .and it will have just gotten started. Yuk!!!!
The bill came in for winterizing ABISHAG . . .2 Marine Units! The amount doesn't bother me as much as the note on the bill: While decommissioning this vessel, the following problems were noted, The engine has various patches of flaking paint, rust. Recommend clean and paint. The engine compartment fire extinguisher is discharged and in need of replacement. The swd one should also be re-certified. The engine oil temp is high an oil temp extremely high, recommend treat system." Aside from the bad sentence structure and spelling, it did point out one serious problem . .the oil temperature. I did some research and found that it could be that the oil cooler could be clogged or leaking. They run about 1/3 of a Marine Unit. I wasn't even sure where it was on the engine and when I went down to check it out I found that apparently this engine isn't fitted with one. A savings of 1/3 of a Marine Unit. However, there is still a problem. Somewhere along the cooling system, from the raw water intake thru-hull to the raw water discharge thru-hull, there is a problem. Could be a leaky connection. Perhaps the raw water filter is clogged. Maybe the raw water pump needs work or a new impeller. Can't say for sure but it should be an easier and less expensive fix than the oil cooler, which I don't have anyway. Doing the deed will have to wait for the spring as the raw water system, along with the rest of the engine has been winterized, and I can not run it again until spring . . .unless I want to have them re-winterize it. At $65 an hour the answer is . . .wait until spring!!!!
Painting the engine will not be much of a task. Friend Ray has a cellar full of engine paint in spray cans and it is all intended to work with rust. All I will have to do is "wire brush" the loose paint and rust and Ray will ht the spots with the paint and all will be well with the world.
With all the heavy wind, rain and snow, the cheap blu-poly tarp some how survived. This type of tarp usually can't take much abuse but so far it seems to be doing just fine. It is secured with bungee cords and has lots of give. It will probably be a "one winter tarp" but so long as it makes it through this winter in close to one piece, that will be just fine.
MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:
As far as I know, there has been no nibbles on the boat. True it is early yet, but i am hoping that if it is going to go, that it goes quickly. Long "Goodbyes" are painful. Of course, there is always the possibility that it won't sell and then what? I'll wait until spring to worry about that.