A non-conversation with Martin the Meknik
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Tue 12 Jun 2012 08:29
'I'll pay you what you've had to lay out and you'll get part payment when the second engine arrives on the boat. Once it's installed, the boat is launched and everything is OK you'll get your money.'
Non- comital response.
'So when is the second engine arriving if you've been working on it this weekend'.
'This week'
'Could you be more specific, like which day?'
'Oh OK, er tomorrow'.
Yeah right.
'So where are you with it?'
'I need an alternator and starter motor. I think Arun the electrician has them.'
He then went to the bar and had a jug of water. Sat there for a couple of hours then came and farted around with the engine on deck. It's still on deck.
In the meantime,
That's one sail on. T'other tomorrow. Gosh, it must be a boat, its got white (more or less) flappy things!
The last door is replaced and the frame painted.
I'd lost the filler cap off the petrol tank on the outboard. The thread on the tank was knackered. The solution? Take a thick plastic bottle, cut off the neck/filler and sikkoflex it over the original orifice. I even managed to create a vent pipe inside the casing, so hopefully air not water will get in!
Hey ho, at this rate it'll be a short life because conker-bollocks will be the death of me and right now it's not such a merry one.
Oh yes, 'his' parting thoughts on the launch date, 'it'll be in the water by the end of the month. I said I was thinking more like the end of next week. I think he's probably right, so I'll renew my visa next week.
I tracked down the 'Elektrikery-men'. Dad Arun will be home from the Solomon Isles probably on Thursday. Junior now has a written list of what needs to be completed and his Mum was there when I gave it to him so I don't think he'll lose it, although I'm coming close. The only worrying thing? He says they do have the alternator but no starter motor.
I'd get really really drunk, but I can't afford it and I really don't like the taste of paint-stripper.
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