Disappointment over transmission problem and resulting delay. Mistral had similar problem, were very satisfied with the work. There are no services in Luperón, and Mercantile Antilles is the only place in the DR that can do this type of work. Thank goodness for Sea Comber and Mike's training as a diesel mechanic. After transmission rebuilt (will take about a week Mike thinks) and reinstalled, Mike will run for a couple of hours, then we should check alignment and bolts after 10 hours, and then after every long run. Underscores the importance of maintaining engine in exact alignment. Always new things to learn! Probably related to cause of sheared drive saver a year ago. Our diligence in checking engine mounts is good, but for future we'll check brackets too. One of bolts on bracket holding engine to mount was missing, another very loose. He secured the engine back to the exhaust so we can run it each day for an hour to charge batteries and run the 'frig. Mike arrived at 9am and with Bill's help hoisted up the engine, after disconnecting from shaft, so he could pull the transmission. Put extra grommets in the old awning so it can fit under the boom-definitely helps reduce the heat in the main cabin. Took it back to them-nice to be able to pay Peter back for all the help he's been to us through our dinghy motor travails. Too shallow for our dinghy motor, so I got out and waded through the shallows to pull both dinghies into deep enough water for Bill to drop and run our motor. Good wind so that by the time they called us and we got there it was high and dry in the mangrove mud. Cleaned the plexiglass of the dodger with Blue Magic, looks great.Įlaine Marie 's dinghy broke loose as they were getting ready to go to town and clear out. Look on the bright side-better find the transmission problem now and rectify it, rather than when we really need engine power. Looks like a good one, and looks like we'll have to miss it. They're going to Rio San Juan, then Escondido, then across the Mona and oging as far as they can get along the south coast of PR on this weather window. Kandu is leaving tomorrow night, along with Ragamuffin and Wingin' It. We rigged the Monitor windvane, refuelled the dinghy gasoline, took laundry in, collected the small propane tank. He'll haul it out on Monday and take to Santo Domingo to Mercantile Antilles to get it rebuilt on Tuesday. What a downer! Mike ( Sea Comber) came over to see if there was any quick adjustment needed, no such luck. Did the weekly transmission check-we have no reverse. Ran engine for usual hour to charge batteries and run the frig. Got response from Power Boats in Trinidad regarding making reservation for haulout in August. Made final todo list of stuff to get done so we can leave Monday. The stuff we ordered in July has never arrived here in Luperón. Hopefully it'll arrive by the time we do. Scrubbed more cockpit teak, it is coming along nicely.Ĭalled Signature Finish (Tom Fabiola), he'll ship some more Honey Teak supplies to the Marina at Salinas, to await our arrival. Hailed Mike ( SeaComber) who came over with Boston Whaler and pulled her back out while we reanchored her. Small catamaran ( Dona Tania) ahead of us broke loose and drifted into the mangroves. Decided to skip Samana, unless weather turns bad. Ralph arrives on Monday, if all works out we'll leave Monday night and go straight to Boqueron, stopping at Escondido for a rest. Anchored in Luperón harbor, Lat 19 deg 54 mins N, Long 070 deg, 57.2 mins Wĭiscussed weather window with Kandu -they're thinking of leaving Friday.