Excitement brewed as we slept aboard Aquaholic on the hard after two days of hard work to get her ready for launch. Up at dark thirty with anticipation of splashing into the water. A few last minute checks to ensure we were ready to launch. Erik left with Dave (guy we had met working on his craft in the boatyard just behind us) to return the rental car. Before he returned the boat had been put in the travel lift, brought to the docks and gently placed into the water. Renee was there to help guide it over to the docks with the ropes.
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| All loaded up in the straps of the travel lift |
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| Headed for the water! |
On the dock we conversed some more with Dave and Claudia who had come over to take a video of our departure. Also on the dock was a gentleman from Ohio who had owned two Marinettes previously. He had his “Great Lakes Marinette Club” shirt on.
A quick check at the dock to ensure nothing was leaking and the motors fired right up! Off heading west we went headed toward Ft Myers and back to the Gulf.
All seemed to be running smoothly for the first several miles but then a squealing was heard from the engine room. Oh bother! Upon investigation it was discovered that the starboard side water pump appeared to be stuck and the belt was just turning on the pulley. Yep....Erik did just tear the pumps down yesterday and replace the impellers. 🤔 We are not having much luck with water pumps this year.
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| Our traveling motto |
The decision was made to forge forward on one engine and get to Ft Myers where we would have better resources for parts and help if needed. Additionally, there was a significantly lower chance of rain in Ft Myers. Onward we went. Slow and steady at about 9mph we made our way 45 miles west. Erik started the starboard engine just long enough to maneuver up to the lock walls of the two locks we passed through today. Interestingly, as the starboard engine was started while entering the second lock the squealing stopped. After being lowered down a whopping 1 foot to the lower part of the river and exiting the lock Erik went back down into the engine room to investigate. The water pump had freed itself up and was spinning and pumping as it should. However, after looking at a little closer it was determined that the water pump was now leaking water out of one of the side ports. With some communication from fellow Marinette owners we found out that the cause of this was that the bearings had gone bad. We started making phone calls to Parts stores and marinas to see if we could acquire a water pump rebuild kit or a new water pump. Unfortunately, after many calls none was to be found locally. After checking into our slip at Fort Myers yacht basin we managed to find the pump online out of a shop in New York. Unfortunately, it will take 4 to 5 days to arrive in Florida. So, tomorrow our plan is to place the order for the pump and have it shipped to The Rod and Gun Club marina which is about 90 miles south of here. We plan to stay in Fort Myers for two days and explore a bit and then head towards Marco Island on Thursday and They Everglade on Friday where hopefully the pump will be waiting for us. Hoping we will get by fine on a combination of one engine or one slightly faltering pump as needed :-)
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| Settled in at our slip at Ft Myers Yacht Basin |
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| Ready for another years adventure |
With the AC on and nice cool air running over us we prepared shish kebabs to cook on the grill. After dinner we took a walk around the marina where we met Mike and Dawn, a couple out of Houston Texas who were on their Great Loop. We had some pleasant conversations with them and shared some stories. They have been here since early March. Their original intention was to go around the tip of Florida and continue their journey north, but when the Covid pandemic hit they decided to stay put.
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| Cirila out of Houston Texas with Mike, Dawn and Lola (the pug on a tug) aboard. Always fun to meet and get to know fellow Loopers. |
The Evening finished off with a walk around the docks to a pier where we enjoyed a very nice sunset. Back to the boat we then showered up and prepared to retire for the evening. We both were pretty exhausted from a long day in the sun and the excitement of the first day back on the boat.
The adventure continues tomorrow!
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| After a nice bike ride we sat on a wall and watched the sunset |
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| God paints another picture |
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