July 12, 2009 - entry by Tom
Now that we are to the 11th of July I want to mention all the nice visitors we have had and then some of the characters we have met along the way. First of all coach and his friend Lynn left Waverly with us at the beginning of this trip so they could help us get through the locks and onto the Kentucky and Barkley Pools. Basically once you are on these two lakes you don't have to worry about "locks". With Jan having that serious injury to her right arm she can not handle the lines in a lock - nor can she do the driving in a lock. After Coach's departure we had cousin Gary and Leah from St. Charles, Mo. and Jan's brother Ron and his friend Natalie. We had fun with these four also. Swimming, tubing, dinghy riding, fishing, kayaking and a lot of interesting family talk. Mark and Zina Conner were on a get away weekend to Paris Landing so we got together with them today and had a great visit. So in a nutshell, coach and Lynn from Waverly to Cuba Landing. Then alone to Paris Landing to Green Turtle Bay to meet Gary and Leah, Ron and Natalie for a trip to Barkley State Park. We have stayed in eight different marinas ranging from $25.00 to $52.00 a night We have put in 126 gallons of fuel at $2.90 per gallon and have gone a total of 377 miles so far.
But - don't think this is all fun and games, just turn the keys and go - no way. Here is a list of problems we have encountered so far but also remember this is all a labor of love. So the problems and the characters follow;
Problems: Stbd engine - sucking air in fuel line - had to bleed at the fuel injector and at the lift pump. Port Engine - selenoid problems - had to check electrical setup, switch and lube it Crane cable came off the spool - had to reconnect, Dinghy engine leaking gasoline and dieing after 2-3 minutes - changed hose, Port Engine battery boiled almost dry - add acid and water, Gennie reset button off and "out of sight" - discovery, mid-ship bilge pump hose control blocked shut - disassemble, Drive shaft coupler bolts loose with two nuts completely off - tighten in an impossible position, a few of the 12v lights corroded and not working - change or sand connections.
Characters: Cliff and Rita managers at Waverly Marina - Geneva, manager at Cuba Landing - Coach and wife managing Clifton marina - Chip, site manager at Grand Harbor. These people and people like them make boating fun, exciting, do-able and hospitable. They are there to help and serve boaters a long the way - and are they good at it!