Tonga ignominy
Panulirus
CR and KN Williams
Sat 12 Jun 2010 06:54
|
18.40S 173.59W
Saturday 12th June 16:21
Infamy, Infamy, this boat's got it in fer
me
After 809.5 miles most of which were motoring, the
engine started misfiring about 5 miles out and although still going I thought it
silly to risk it cutting out approaching an unknown berth. Clare duly checked
the fuel sight glass and found it full of silt, she cleared it out and restarted
but it shortly stopped again. Another clean out, but then it wouldn't even turn
over. Turns out the starter motor wouldn't engage the flywheel despite the
solenoid turning at 2000 rpm (courtesy of a very hot screwdriver across the
terminals), A couple of gentle taps with a copper-faced mallet did not
unjam it. Wind about 4.5 kts from all over the place, so no choice but to
ask a nice chap in a dinghy to help us in (actually we sailed in but there was
no way I'd have done that on my own). Note that I
rather petulantly avoid the word 'towed' although he did have a line from my
bow.
Formalities and ATM done and nice tapas
nearby.
Tomorrow is a day of rest (fiercely observed in
Tonga) but not perhaps for me; now for starter motor repair + fuel filters to be
changed - nice.
K
I thought everything was going too smoothly! I
thought the engine was going to start when K. bypassed all the electrics but I
had forgotten about jammed starter motors. We are now on the best mooring buoy
outside a very nice cafe with wifi reaching to the boat. The [N.Z. of course]
guy who helped us in owns this mooring and rents it out in the tourist season so
we have undeservedely landed on our feet.
C
|