December 9 - 11, 2021 Boat In, Boat Out

Boat In, Boat Out?

December 9, 2021 

What a day!  We were so excited since GaYa was going to get her bottom wet. 

They hauled her in the water to find out the engine valve was seized. GaYa had to come back out for repair.  We also noticed one of the head valves was seized and needed be replaced. 

Now to get parts. Steve managed to get the head valve while the marina ordered the one for the engine however it will arrive tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, Steve worked for 3.5 hrs just to take off the head valve. What a job!  Being 6’4” tall doesn’t help the matter working in confine area and the sweat was just pouring off of him. Also, lots of cuts and scrapes. Blood, sweat and tears. The engine part is suppose to arrive tomorrow morning. 

I went to pick up gator aid to build up Steve’s electrolyte along with bread and chicken. Seeing that the marina showers were locked after 8pm, Steve took a well needed cold shower in the boat. We slept in the boat while it was on the hard. We both dose off early. 

December 10, 2021 Patience, patience. 

Not only did we find out the mechanic wasn’t coming into work until 11am, we also found out at noon, that the part won’t be in. Steve installed the head valve which only took 15 minutes. He called around and found out the part for the engine was in Stuart which was 35 km away. Off we went to pick up the part at West Marine. . 

1:00pm -  

$100 US later, we have the part. 

Steve installed the part and found out it doesn’t fit. He decided to use the old one and keep the valve open during our trip and fix it when we get back. $500 later (for taking out out and in the water), Gaya’s bottom is getting wet once again. We started  the engine with anticipation and water is getting through. Just as Steve decides to go, a huge knocking in the engine started and fuel was draining in the water.  Not good.  The mechanic looked at it and said it might just be a stuck intake or exhaust valve. It was 5:00 pm so they kept us in the water for the night and the mechanic said he would come at 8:30am tomorrow. He made us feel like he could fix it. 

6:00 pm - we have had to cancel dinner plans twice now with our friends, Debra and John,  and we were not going to let this spoil our plans again. They are at the marina where we were suppose to be staying. They gave us the marina keys to take a long needed shower and we had a great meal along with great conversations. It was nice to relax before heading back to the boat around 10pm. 

We are now crossing our fingers. 

December 10, 2021

Woke up early in anticipation of the mechanic showing up at 8:30am. Steve picked us up muffins and coffee while we waited. 

The mechanic, Walden, showed up at 9:30am. He said our problem was the exhaust valve on the engine. Because he couldn’t loosen it, he said he was going to bring a Diesel engine mechanic. So now we wait. 

10:30pm. Jose, the more skillful mechanic came to look and worked along with Walden. He found out it was 2 bent rods in the engine.

The great thing is, he had two spare ones available otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to order the parts until Monday. 

12:30pm -  Still waiting for Jose to come back with the parts. 

1:30pm- $400 later,  Jose and his son, Pierce, managed to get the new push rods in and she purred like a kitten when Steve started her up 

We left the work yard immediately and as we were going under the Fort Pierce bridge , dolphins greeted us. It was so exciting to see the welcoming committee. 

Once we got to the Fort Pierce City Marina, we went for along hot shower. Debra was kind enough to bring us to pick up our truck.  We were starving at that point and went out to eat afterward since we did not have lunch. 

7:00pm- We tried out all our navigational lights and the port light does not work. Not a problem since we will take care of it tomorrow.  Now we are just relaxing on the boat as we listen to a band playing nearby.